As an economically significant port city, the town grew steadily until the 1870s, reaching a peak population of 5,000 to 15,000 people; it has declined since and now has less than 2,000 residents.

The town's historic buildings include a commercial core along Main Street and low-density residential areas in the rest of the district.

The Greek Revival, Federal, and Italianate architectural styles are all well-represented among the district's buildings.

[2] The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 16, 1977.

This article about a property in Hancock County, Illinois on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.