Judd, C. H., House
Also known as: Lankford-Blackwell House
Why it's listed
Built in 1881 for farmer Charles H. Judd, this three-story, 14-room brick farmhouse stands near Belle Rive in Jefferson County, Illinois. Its solid brick walls are 13 inches thick, made from brick handmade on the property and laid in common bond. Arched windows, most with original shutters, gingerbread trim in the gables, a sandstone-lined cellar and a spiral walnut staircase with burl inlays add to its detail. Judd was a prosperous farmer, and a 1909 obituary described the house as the finest farm residence in the county when it was erected. It was listed because it contrasts with the plain frame farmhouses typical of the area, many of which have been repeatedly altered. No other brick residences of similar size and age are known in the county, and earlier brick houses in Mount Vernon were lost to a tornado or demolition. Changes include a newer front porch, a 1940 summer kitchen, and lowered ceilings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that this Victorian brick farmhouse contrasts sharply with the simple frame farmhouses of the area and has remained virtually unaltered since 1881. No brick residences of comparable size and age are known in Jefferson County. Its elaborate, sturdy construction has made it a local landmark.
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 83003571, listed December 8, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Ina-Belle Rive Rd., Belle |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | December 8, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003571 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Victorian brick farmhouse |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied as a private residence; some alterations include a modern porch, a 1940 summer kitchen and lowered ceilings. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 38.15289, -88.76860 (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 83003571.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5006497
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.