Ward, Thornton, Estate
Also known as: John Harrison Ward Memorial Estate
Why it's listed
Built around 1875, this two-and-a-half-story brick farmhouse sits on a 10.5-acre tract along U.S. Route 40 in Cumberland County, Illinois. It stands on land first purchased by James Martin Ward around 1840, and the family lived in a log house nearby before the brick house was built. The Italianate house has a hip roof with a small central gable and a rooftop widow's walk. Its walls are solid brick made on site, and a walnut staircase rises through a central hall. The farmstead also includes a barn, corn crib, garage and a surviving 150-foot segment of the original National Road paving. The property was recognized for its architecture. Brick houses are uncommon in the area, and this is the only known local property of its type and age that sits directly on Route 40 with a remnant of the Old National Road. Its setting, design and workmanship remain largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is locally significant under Criterion C as a brick Italianate house with a centered gable, a type uncommon in the area. It is also the only known local property of its type and vintage located directly on Route 40 with a surviving piece of the original Old National Road. The house retains good historic 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 01001308, listed December 4, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1387 US 40, Toledo |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | December 4, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01001308 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1875 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is structurally sound, but the front wall and interior floors are failing in places. The front porch was dismantled in 2000 for repair work, and some shutters are missing. |
| Acreage | 10.6 |
| Coordinates | 39.22729, -88.21448 (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 01001308.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7796566
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.