Hulburd, Joel H., House
Also known as: Ferson--Butler--Satterlee Home
Why it's listed
Built in 1854 by carpenter Joel H. Hubbard, this wood-frame house at 304 North Second Avenue in St. Charles, Illinois, is a Greek Revival dwelling of the Upright and Wing type. A gabled one-and-one-half-story main section faces west on a rubble limestone foundation, with a one-story hipped-roof wing to the south. Details include a monumental door surround with sidelights, flat pilasters, cornice returns, wide entablatures and frieze-band windows. Inside, original oak and pine floors, plaster walls, doors and pedimented trim survive. A c. 1900 outbuilding on the lot has been altered and is counted as non-contributing. Hubbard sold the house in 1857 to George and Almira Ferson, and the Ferson, Butler and Satterlee families held it until 1963. Later owners restored it. It is significant for architecture because it is an excellent, highly intact example of Greek Revival design from the town's early development, comparable to nearby listed houses such as the Weisel and Hunt houses.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Greek Revival style, specifically the Upright and Wing type, in a frame clapboard form. It cites generous proportions of detail, a symmetrical front and a high level of exterior and interior integrity. Few St. Charles examples retain as much integrity.
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 11000244, listed May 4, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 304 N. 2nd Ave., St. Charles |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | May 4, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000244 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1854 |
| Architect / builder | Hubbard, Joel H. |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival (Upright & Wing) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, well maintained and restored; still used as a single dwelling, with the outbuilding used as an office and guest quarters. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.91838, -88.31184 (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 11000244.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6213510
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.