Reimbold, William J., House
Also known as: Reimbold--Ortman House
Why it's listed
Built between 1865 and 1867, this two-story red brick house at 950 White Street in Nauvoo was the home of William J. Reimbold, a German immigrant who made his living growing grapes and making wine. It partly rests on the foundation of an earlier house once owned by Willard Richards, an apostle of Joseph Smith. The symmetrical design has five bays, central gables with fanlights, paired entry doors, and a wide central hall. Its details combine Greek Revival-style forms with later touches such as turned wood pendants at the eaves and a veranda with turned posts. Beneath the west end lies an 18-by-28-foot stone wine cellar with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, marked with a stone dated 1867. It is the only remaining example in the old Mormon Flat area and has been fully restored. The property was recognized for its architecture and for its link to German settlement and Nauvoo's wine industry.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be the finest and largest surviving house built entirely by a German immigrant in Nauvoo after the Mormon period. It blends earlier neoclassical forms with restrained picturesque details. Its fully restored 1867 wine cellar is the only one remaining in the Mormon Flat area and reflects Nauvoo's German wine-making industry.
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 87002033, listed December 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 950 White St., Nauvoo |
|---|---|
| County | Hancock County |
| Listed | December 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87002033 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1865-1895 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built by William J. Reimbold) |
| Architectural style | Transitional: neoclassical forms (Greek Revival detailing) combined with later picturesque features |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, altered, occupied as a private residence; the wine cellar has been fully restored. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Nauvoo Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.54742, -91.38852 (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 87002033.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21197523
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.