Paine House
Also known as: Hosick,Mr. & Mrs. J.I.,Residence
Why it's listed
This two-story brick house in Xenia, Illinois, was built by John McGiffen, who acquired the property in 1857, and carries a specific date of 1858. It combines Greek Revival interior detailing with Gothic Revival touches, such as the large boards along the eaves. It has eight rooms, five identical fireplaces, a walnut stair bannister, original woodwork and mostly original flooring. Few changes have been made over its long life. Additions include wiring, a gas furnace, water and sewer lines, a concrete front porch and a bathroom enclosed from the back porch. The house is significant for its link to author Albert Bigelow Paine, who lived here from 1873 to 1888 and began writing poems and short stories in it. Paine went on to edit St. Nicholas Magazine's league department and wrote a three-volume biography of Mark Twain, published in 1912. The property has always been a private residence and has stayed in the Paine family and its descendants since 1873.
Significance in brief: The house was the home of author Albert Bigelow Paine from 1873 to 1888, and it is where he began writing poems and short stories. Paine later became known as the biographer and literary executor of Mark Twain and as an editor and children's author. The form also notes the house has changed very little since it was built.
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 85002843, listed November 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Rt. 1, Box 19 A, Xenia |
|---|---|
| County | Clay County |
| Listed | November 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002843 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1858) |
| Architect / builder | John McGiffen |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival and Gothic Revival details |
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence, in good condition, with restoration planned. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.63871, -88.63479 (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 85002843.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16896345
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.