Carney, John, House
Also known as: Oak Lodge or Paul Simon House
Why it's listed
Built beginning in 1871 in Troy, Illinois, this two-story brick house with an attached three-story tower is a local example of Italianate design, described as the only one of its kind in the town. Features include a low-pitched roof with projecting eaves on large scrolled brackets, a T-shaped plan, round-headed windows and two porches with Victorian post arches and brackets. The land was bought by Elizabeth Koerner Carney in 1869, and construction began after the deed was changed to include her husband, John Carney, a Troy grain mill operator. Dr. Zenk, a prominent local physician, owned it from 1888 until 1908 and subdivided part of the land as the Zenk Addition. Congressman Paul Simon owned it from 1959 to 1974. Alterations include removed balconies, a 1944 conversion of rooms for a restaurant, added bathrooms in 1950 and a replacement roof in the early 1970s. The builder or architect is unknown.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine and outstanding example of Italianate (Italian Country Villa) architecture and the only one of its kind in Troy. Its tower, scrolled brackets, low-pitched roof, round-headed windows and Victorian porch ornamentation express the style. It is also tied to local figures, including businessman John Carney, physician Dr. Zenk, and Congressman Paul Simon.
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 83000327, listed July 28, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 306 E. Market St., Troy |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | July 28, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000327 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Italianate (Italian Country Villa) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; altered over time, including removal of balconies, interior wall changes, added bathrooms and a 1970s asphalt shingle roof. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 38.72914, -89.87801 (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 83000327.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16825678
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.