Covell, Lucein Boneparte, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1905 on the edge of Richmond, Illinois, this two-and-a-half-story frame house was the home of Lucien Bonaparte Covell and Anna Moore Covell until their deaths in 1923 and 1926. It has a steeply pitched roof with seven gables, an octagonal tower, bay windows, and a curving veranda with Doric columns on granite pedestals. Patterned shingles and diagonal boards add texture, while classical details such as dentils, a pseudo-Palladian window and cut-out balusters reflect Colonial Revival influence. Inside, woven wood lattice arches, a massive front staircase, bevelled and leaded glass, original gas fixtures, and an intact pantry survive. A coach house and a chicken coop, wood shed and privy, both original, echo the house's design. The property was listed for its locally significant Queen Anne architecture. It was built as Richmond rebuilt after a fire destroyed twenty downtown buildings on Christmas Eve 1902. In the 1930s it also served as a funeral parlor, and it is again a single family home.
Significance in brief: The house is locally significant under Criterion C as a distinctive example of Late Victorian Queen Anne architecture that includes the major elements of the style. It also has transitional Colonial Revival detailing, well-preserved interior features, and a complete set of original outbuildings. It was built during a rebuilding period after a fire destroyed much of Richmond's business district in 1902.
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 88003246, listed January 26, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5805 Broadway, Richmond |
|---|---|
| County | McHenry County |
| Listed | January 26, 1989 |
| Reference number | 88003246 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1905 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single family residence; earlier used partly as a funeral parlor from the early 1930s until the 1960s. Exterior renovation is planned. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.47631, -88.31177 (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 88003246.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6697028
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.