Conger, J. Newton, House
Also known as: Conger House
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
This two-story house at 334 North Knox Street in Oneida, Illinois, is built in the American or Carpenter Gothic style. Its steep-pitched roof, ornate gingerbread trim on the roofline and front porch, tall narrow windows with decorative hats, and roof peaks are largely intact. The walls are sheathed in random-width vertical boards with narrow battens covering the joints. A curved walnut staircase rises in the foyer, and an iron-looped curb and carriage drive survive at the front. A rear west wing was added later, and a small outbuilding that was probably a summer kitchen stands behind. The land was part of an 1818 military tract, and the house is assumed to have been built in 1860 under P. G. Hubbard's mortgage. J. Newton Conger bought it in 1864. He was a wealthy cattle and sheep shipper, and the house is known locally by his name. It was listed as the best example of Gothic architecture in the Knox County area.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the best example of Gothic architecture in the Knox County area, with its ornate roof and window details intact. It also notes the long-time owner J. Newton Conger, a wealthy cattle and sheep shipper who held minor civic posts.
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 79003111, listed April 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 334 N. Knox St., Oneida |
|---|---|
| County | Knox County |
| Listed | April 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003111 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | American Gothic or Carpenter Gothic |
| 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 at the time of nomination; a rear west wing was added later. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.08427, -90.22754 (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 79003111.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q23074010
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.