Strawn, Jeremiah, House
Why it's listed
Built in three phases between about 1855 and the early 1870s, this brick house at 532 Congress Street in Ottawa, Illinois, sits on a limestone foundation about five blocks east of downtown. The front two-and-a-half story section came first, followed by a two-story middle section and a one-story rear kitchen wing. Its front-gabled form, six-over-six windows with stone sills and lintels, sidelighted entry, and recessed arched panels with pilasters reflect mid-19th century design, while bracketed cornices and a small arched attic window add Italianate touches. Jeremiah Strawn, a retired farmer from Putnam County, bought the property in 1857 and is believed to have added the middle and rear sections. Ottawa's other houses of the period are described as either Greek Revival or Italianate, making this combination unusual locally. The house retains most of its original features and remains a single-family home, with a modern garage on the property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good example of Mid-19th Century front-gabled design combined with Italianate detailing, under Criterion C for architecture. It states the house is the only one in Ottawa that combines these two approaches and still keeps its integrity. Other comparable Ottawa houses are described as either Greek Revival or Italianate.
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 94001601, listed January 24, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 532 Congress St., Ottawa |
|---|---|
| County | LaSalle County |
| Listed | January 24, 1995 |
| Reference number | 94001601 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1855-c. 1870s |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century form with Italianate details |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, retaining most original features, and still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Ottawa East Side Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.34697, -88.83350 (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 94001601.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6180984
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.