Narodni Sin
Also known as: (Czech) National Hall
Why it's listed
Built in 1906 for Lodge Rolnick No. 7, this two-story brick building on East Vandalia Street in Edwardsville served the town's growing Czech community. The upper floor held a large meeting hall used for lodge meetings, dances, language classes and Sokol gymnastics, with meetings conducted in Czech until 1958. Shops, taverns and restaurants occupied the street level, and labor unions and other societies also met there. Brothers Joseph Hlad Sr., the general contractor, and Anton Hlad, a plasterer, built it. The front facade follows the two-part commercial block form, with a cast-iron storefront below and an ornate brick frieze and cornice above, set with limestone trim and an inscription reading National Hall. Inside, the pressed-tin ceiling, maple floor and gymnastic hooks survive. The hall was sold in 1971 and renovated, though the exterior still closely resembles its early appearance. It is recognized as a well-preserved ethnic hall and a good local commercial building example.
Significance in brief: It is locally significant under Criterion A as one of the best surviving ethnic halls in southwestern Illinois, built for the Czech lodge Rolnick No. 7 and used for Czech fraternal, gymnastic and labor activities. It is also significant under Criterion C as a good local example of the two-part commercial block building type popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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 02001353, listed November 21, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 209-211 E. Vandalia, Edwardsville |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | November 21, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001353 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1906-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Hlad, Joseph Sr. and Hlad, Anton |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements (two-part commercial block) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, European, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently houses an architecture office on the lower floor and an apartment on the upper floor; renovated in 1971-1972 with a rear addition built in the 1980s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.81376, -89.95366 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 02001353.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6966094
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.