Anderson, John C., House
Also known as: Argyle
Why it's listed
Built in 1883 as a one-story, L-shaped Italianate home, this Carlinville house was enlarged in 1892 by its owner, John C. Anderson, who added a second floor, attic and a square tower to make room for his growing family. The wood-frame, clapboard house sits on a limestone foundation and has more than thirteen rooms, large porches, eight fireplaces and a full basement. The first floor keeps its Italianate character, with tall windows, coupled porch columns and paired brackets, while the upper levels and tower show Queen Anne and Stick Style details. A wash house, barn and granary from the same period remain on the 16.5-acre site, which is still farmed and mowed much as in Anderson's day. The property was listed because it is a locally notable, richly detailed example of eclectic Victorian design. It now serves as a museum, with former bedrooms used as exhibit rooms.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a locally significant example of eclectic late 19th-century residential design, an Italianate house overlaid with Queen Anne and Stick Style elements added in 1892. It is described as one of the best representative examples of such design in Carlinville, more ornate and detailed than comparable houses nearby.
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 92001535, listed November 5, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville |
|---|---|
| County | Macoupin County |
| Listed | November 5, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001535 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1883-1892 |
| Architectural style | Mixed: Italianate, Queen Anne, Stick |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a museum by the county historical society; the form describes the integrity as excellent and the structure as sound, with some outside work still needed. |
| Acreage | 16.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.29105, -89.88637 (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 92001535.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16238672
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.