503 South State Street

Italianate architectural style

The two-and-a-half-story brick Italianate Solon House was constructed in1867.  Champaign developer William C. Barrett constructed the home on speculation at a time when the local housing market was booming.  Local architect Seeley Brown designed an almost classic style house complete with cupola, tall round-arched windows, and an elaborate full entablature.  Barrett sold the house to wealthy farmer Abel Harwood, whose family sold the house in 1907 to another prominent area land owner, Francis Solon.  Francis and Abbie lived their with their five children, who inherited the house upon the deaths of their parents.  Grandchildren of Francis and Abbie Solon donated the house to the Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County in 2005.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 3, 2007 for significance in Architecture (#7000644).  Listed as a Local Landmarkon September 1, 1998.  Also known as the Solon House and Harwood-Solon House.