Grant, Ulysses S., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1859-1860 on a ridge above the Galena River, this two-story brick house was designed by William Dennison for Alexander J. Jackson, a former city clerk. It has wide overhanging eaves on large wooden brackets, a low-pitched roof, stone lintels and sills, and a columned piazza with a balcony at the main entrance. In 1865 a committee of Galena citizens bought the furnished house and presented it to General Ulysses S. Grant on his return from the Civil War. The Grant family used it as a haven during his campaigns, presidency and long journeys, though he last stayed there in 1880. His son Frederick Dent Grant gave the house to the City of Galena in 1904, and the state received it in 1932. Using the original drawings and specifications, the state restored it in 1955-57 and added a small, non-historic restroom and exhibit building. The house operates as a museum and park.
Significance in brief: The house was given to General Ulysses S. Grant by the citizens of Galena in 1865 after his Civil War victories. Grant and his family used it as a home base through his political career, presidency and world travels, until 1880. It is also a well-preserved example of Italianate bracketed architecture, restored from the original plans and specifications.
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 66000322, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 511 Bouthillier St., Galena |
|---|---|
| County | Jo Daviess County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000322 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1865-1885 |
| Architect / builder | William Dennison, "Engineer and Architect" |
| Architectural style | Italianate Bracketed |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 19, 1960 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the State of Illinois and maintained as a historic house museum and park; restored 1955-57; condition marked excellent. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Within district | Galena Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.41109, -90.42440 (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 66000322.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7880940
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.