Humphrey, John, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1881 at 9830 W. 144th Place in Orland Park, this two-story frame house was the home of Senator John Humphrey. It follows the vernacular Four-Over-Four plan, with a central hall, two rooms on each side and a rear kitchen ell that gives the building a T shape. Wood clapboards, wood shingles, brick chimneys and open porches across the front and sides define its exterior, and the interior keeps plaster walls, heavy painted woodwork and a walnut staircase. The house stands in the local Old Orland Historic District and is described as being in excellent condition with high integrity. Humphrey served in the Illinois Senate and, after Orland Park incorporated as a village in 1892, was elected its mayor, holding the office until his death in 1914. During those years the village started a fire department, laid water pipes, built cement sidewalks and paved streets. The house is now used as a museum and is recognized for both its architecture and its link to Humphrey.
Significance in brief: The nomination ties the house to Senator John Humphrey, who served in the Illinois Senate and was Orland Park's mayor from its 1892 incorporation until his death in 1914. It also treats the house as a well-preserved example of the vernacular Four-Over-Four house form with a rear ell, in excellent condition with high integrity.
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 05000114, listed August 1, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 9830 W. 144th Place, Orland Park |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | August 1, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000114 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Other: Four-over-Four (modified); vernacular massed-plan house with rear kitchen ell |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Law, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with high integrity and very few alterations; current function is museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.63007, -87.85958 (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 05000114.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687686
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.