Butterfield, John A., House
Also known as: Tallon House
Why it's listed
Built in 1873 at 115 Broadway in Jackson, this one-story wood-frame house has a square plan, a pyramidal roof, a porch running across the front and halfway down each side, and a three-bay symmetrical facade. A recessed central entrance with transom and sidelights is flanked by shuttered French doors. It was built for John A. Butterfield, a lumber businessman and one-term Amador County treasurer, and stayed in his family until 1919. Its importance rests on architecture. The pyramidal cottage with Greek Revival details was more common in the southeastern United States and upper Midwest, and it is the only known example in Amador County and one of the best preserved in the Mother Lode. Interior changes were made around 1945, and the porch floor and roof shingles have been replaced, yet the exterior remains close to its 1873 appearance. Architect John Carden Campbell called it one of the most handsome houses in the Gold Country.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant mainly for its architecture: a pyramidal-roofed cottage type common in the southeastern U.S. and upper Midwest but rare in California. It is the only example of its type known in Amador County and one of the best preserved in the Mother Lode. Its 1873 date is unusual, since the details are more typical of the 1850s or 1860s.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002412, listed September 11, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 115 Broadway, Jackson |
|---|---|
| County | Amador County |
| Listed | September 11, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002412 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1873) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Pyramidal-roofed cottage with Classical and Greek Revival details |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied as a private residence; the lower floor has been remodeled as a separate rental unit. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 38.34699, -120.77194 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002412.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133258627
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.