Reef House
Also known as: Sternberg House
Why it's listed
Built around 1892 at 411 S. Poplar Street in Carbondale, Illinois, this story-and-a-half cottage was erected by William A. Reef for his parents, his brothers and himself. Clapboards cover the first floor and fishscale shingles the half story above. Stickwork, half timbering in the south gable and an off-center porch with turned posts give it a Queen Anne character. Most original interior woodwork, the front door and the open stairway with turned balusters survive, and the house still sits on its rough stone foundation. The nomination presents it as a rare remaining example of a decorated Queen Anne cottage in Carbondale, where most comparable houses have been demolished or heavily altered. Its siding, gables and south-side structural awnings remain largely intact. Its closeness to two known houses by carpenter A.M. Etherton, along with its detailing, suggests he may have built it. Four families have owned it, and it has always served as a single-family home, avoiding the changes that often follow conversion to multiple units.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an unusual survivor of the decorated Queen Anne cottage in Carbondale, since most similar houses from that period have been demolished or altered beyond recognition. It keeps its original siding, stickwork, patterned shingles and distinctive south-side structural awnings. It may also be the work of carpenter A.M. Etherton, and it has always been a single-family home.
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 85002839, listed November 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 411 S. Poplar St., Carbondale |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County |
| Listed | November 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002839 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1890-92) |
| Architect / builder | Possibly A.M. Etherton |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition; altered in 1952 when the northeast porch was enclosed and a small stable was demolished. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.72323, -89.22136 (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 85002839.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16899201
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.