The Joseph W. Royer Arts and Architecture District is the first district of the city of Urbana dedicated to the arts and celebration of the city’s historic and architectural heritage.  The district coincides with the oldest part of Urbana–its historic downtown and the immediately adjacent residential neighborhoods–and it contains the greatest concentration of historically and architecturally significant buildings in town.  The district was named after Urbana architect Joseph W. Royer in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the city’s architectural heritage [City of Urbana].

The City of Urbana published a brochure about the district that includes a walking tour with property descriptions and a map.  Properties included in the district include the Freeman House, Canaan Baptist Church, Illinois Theater, Flatiron Building, Fox Building, Knights of Pythias Building, Cohen Building, Urbana Post Office, Knowlton & Bennett Building, Tiernan’s Block, Eubeling Building, Champaign County Courthouse, Sheriff’s Residence and Jail, Lloyd House, Urbana Lincoln Hotel, Urbana Free Library, Unitarian Universalist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, and the McWilliams House.  Some properties are no longer present.

Copies of the brochure are available at the PACA Warehouse.