Whitney, Col. Nathan, House
Also known as: Franklin Grove Nursery and Orchards
Why it's listed
Set about 600 feet east of Whitney Road, roughly one mile south of Franklin Grove, this Italianate farmhouse was built around 1860 for Colonel Nathan Whitney. Whitney, a War of 1812 veteran who came west from New York, settled near Franklin Grove in 1836 and founded the Franklin Grove Nursery and Orchards. The house was the fourth home built for his family and the most elaborate. It has two stories, a low-pitched hip roof, a cupola with tall arched windows, large paired brackets, dentil cornices, and a central projecting porch with molded columns and railings. Floor-to-ceiling windows with molded frames appear on every side. A one-and-one-half-story kitchen wing extends to the rear. Inside, an open stair rises from the foyer, and the original plan remains largely intact. Nearby farmhouses are much simpler, which sets this one apart. It was recognized for its architecture, with a significance period of about 1860 to 1900.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding local example of Italianate architecture under Criterion C. Its ornate brackets, dentil cornices, floor-to-ceiling windows and cupola contrast with the plainer farmhouses nearby. It was the fourth and most elaborate home built for Whitney's family and symbolized the success of the family nursery business.
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 90001726, listed November 2, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1620 Whitney Rd., Franklin Grove |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | November 2, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001726 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1860 - ca. 1900 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian / Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Under restoration at the time of nomination, with plans to open it as a bed and breakfast inn; the original floor plan is largely intact. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.81849, -89.29369 (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 90001726.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15211151
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.