Camp Mather-Camp Logan
Also known as: Eddy, Henry and Mary J., Farm and Summer House
Why it's listed
On the eastern outskirts of Shawneetown, Illinois, a 196-acre farm preserves the site of Camp Mather and Camp Logan, Civil War recruiting and training camps. At its center is a one-and-a-half-story red brick house, built around 1838-1839 by Henry Eddy, a regional Whig political leader, newspaper founder and lawyer, as the summer home of a working farm. Its original plan was a row of single rooms, each opening to the porch through its own door, with three dormers above. From October 1861 through March 1863 the surrounding fields hosted Federal regiments assembling from their home counties, and the Eddy house served as the regimental hospital. Records from the period describe measles and deaths among the troops, and winter flooding that cut the camp off from town. The rural setting, house and fields remain largely intact, and this wartime role is the basis for its local significance. Later additions include a 1975 apartment and garage, and several farm buildings postdate the war.
Significance in brief: The property is tied to Federal military organizing and recruiting at Shawneetown from October 1861 through March 1863. The Eddy house served as the regimental hospital while the camp was in use, and the surrounding campsite is counted as contributing. It is significant at the local level.
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 98000983, listed August 6, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 10765 IL 13, Shawneetown |
|---|---|
| County | Gallatin County |
| Listed | August 6, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000983 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1861-1863 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (house built by its first owner, Henry Eddy) |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century vernacular, with no attributed sub-type |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Maritime History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as a single-family dwelling in current use; the surrounding land is an open farm field planted in wheat. The house stood empty for a period before the early 1950s. |
| Acreage | 196 |
| Coordinates | 37.70746, -88.17792 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 98000983.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16851145
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.