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John F. Bretz House and Warehouse

Historic building
In Springfield, Illinois
0.2 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

Contractor John F. Bretz's house and warehouse in Springfield, IL, pair an 1880s Queen Anne home with the two-story brick warehouse behind it. Bretz was a longtime city streets supervisor who helped build Springfield's sewers and began paving its streets with brick instead of wood. Both buildings are private, so treat them as a street-side stop about 1 mile off the old road.

What is John F. Bretz House and Warehouse?

The house, built around 1886, is a Queen Anne design with decorative shingles on the walls, metal cresting along the roofline and a wraparound porch edged by a balustrade. Behind it stands a two-story brick warehouse, where Bretz ran his contracting business. Seeing the two together shows how a tradesman lived and worked on the same lot.

History of John F. Bretz House and Warehouse

Bretz ran the city's streets as supervisor more than once between the 1870s and the 1880s, and he also handled city jobs through his own contracting business. He played a big part in building the sewer system and was the one who began switching street paving from wood to brick. The house and warehouse were listed on the National Register in August 2000.

Visiting John F. Bretz House and Warehouse: tips

View the pair from the sidewalk and respect private property. The Rippon-Kinsella House and Edwards Place are each about 0.3 mile away, and the Museum of Funeral Customs is about 0.5 mile, so it fits a short tour of this part of Springfield.

Practical info

Address: 1113 North 5th Street, Springfield, IL 62702
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near John F. Bretz House and Warehouse

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Charlie Parker's Diner
Springfield, IL · 3.4 mi from John F. Bretz House and Warehouse
A Springfield diner dating from 1992, handy for a meal while exploring the Illinois capital on Route 66.
Diner & restaurant
Cozy Dog Drive In
Springfield, IL · 3.6 mi from John F. Bretz House and Warehouse
A Springfield drive-in known for its cornmeal-battered Cozy Dogs, Route 66 memorabilia and guest book.