Briggs, Alexander, House
Also known as: The Stone House
Why it's listed
Built in 1894 at 210 Jackson Street in Charleston, Illinois, this two-story house is made of rough-faced native sandstone quarried within three miles of town. Roughly thirty by thirty-nine feet, it has a rusticated limestone basement, limestone quoins, and five belt courses of marble, sandstone and granite. Windows have segmental arch heads in two colors of stone. A contemporary newspaper described a slate roof, tile-lined walls and modern conveniences including electric lights and a hot air furnace. The house was built by Alexander Briggs, who learned stonemasonry from his father, studied the trade in Europe, and ran a marble and monument business before working as a contractor. His projects included the county jail and Old Main at Eastern Illinois University. The house is considered the only entirely stone house known in Coles County. Its low roof and tall windows recall Illinois Italianate houses, while its stark massing suggests Renaissance Revival influence.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Alexander Briggs, a skilled mason and prominent Charleston citizen of the late nineteenth century. It is the only completely stone house known to be standing in Coles County. It is an unusual vernacular interpretation of Italianate and Renaissance Revival styles that were waning in larger cities by 1894.
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 80001341, listed May 31, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 210 Jackson St., Charleston |
|---|---|
| County | Coles County |
| Listed | May 31, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001341 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Briggs |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Italianate with Renaissance Revival influence |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a private residence; occupied. Alterations include an asphalt roof replacing slate, an attached carport, and a wash house converted to a garage in the 1920s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.49349, -88.18552 (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 80001341.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16824347
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.