Old Aristocracy Hill in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Town House
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2025
1. Town House Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
Location. 39° 47.658′ N, 89° 38.786′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Old Aristocracy Hill. It is on South 7th Street south of East Cook Street, on the left when traveling south. Seventh Street is one-way southbound on this block. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 718 S 7th St, Springfield IL 62703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Elijah Iles House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Price-Wheeler House (about 400 feet away); Scott Burton Blvd. (about 400 feet away); Thomas Houston Ave. (about 400 feet away); Jameson Jenkins Ct. (about 400 feet away); William Donnegan Ln. (about 400 feet away); Lincoln Home National Historic Site (about 800 feet away); George W. Shutt House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
Regarding Town House. Excerpts from the
this page online
The apartment building was designed between 1954 and 1958 by the prominent Chicago architectural firm of Shaw, Metz and Dolio and constructed between 1956 and 1958 by Evans Construction Company. The luxurious building was a project of the Franklin Life Insurance Company (founded in Springfield in 1894) under the leadership of its president, Charles E. Becker (1896-1968). By the time the Town House was built, the company had become nationally known and was one of the City's most influential businesses.
The 13-story Town House was conceived as a company investment to provide rental housing for company officers and employees. However, before the building opened, its function changed to that of providing rental apartments to the public. Becker, who served as Franklin Life's president from 1939 to 1961, was a colorful and driving force in the fortunes of the company, and the Town House was a personal project. Becker and his wife became the first residents of the upper penthouse.
Also see . . .
1. The Town House (PDF). National Register nomination for the building, which was listed in 2005. (Prepared by Marcia Salner and Anthony Rubano; via National Archives) (Submitted on April 21, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2025
2. Town House Marker
Marker is on the fourth column from the left.
2. Illinois Stories | The Town House. This episode of the series, produced by WSEC-TV/PBS Springfield, focuses on the once-opulent apartment building and its impact in the capitol city. (WSIU-TV, uploaded March 22, 2013) (Submitted on April 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Unknown; via National Register nomination (Public Domain)
3. Charles E. Becker (1896-1968)
He became National Life's seventh president in 1939, and over the next 22 years oversaw the company's rise into one of the nation's largest insurers.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on April 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
