Rogers, Orson, House
Also known as: Colonial House
Why it's listed
This two-story wooden house stands east of Marengo in Coral Township, McHenry County, Illinois. Built around 1846-1848 by Orson Rogers, one of the county's earliest settlers, it is a Greek Revival residence painted white with black shutters. A full-width porch with six 14-foot Doric columns shelters the front, where four windows flank a doorway with pilasters and columns. The house rests on stone and hand-hewn oak timber foundations, and a plain single-story extension sits at the rear. It was listed because it is an excellent example of Greek Revival design in a part of Illinois where the style is uncommon. It was originally almost identical to the adjacent Anson Rogers house, built by Orson's brother, but this one survives virtually unaltered. Orson Rogers was a prominent banker and businessman, and his farm once had a large butter and cheese factory that supplied the Palmer House and other major Chicago hotels. The nominated parcel covers 1.38 acres.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture in Illinois, a style not usually found this far north. Its elegant, simple facade and unaltered condition make it notable, especially next to the nearly identical Anson Rogers house. Orson Rogers was also a prominent banker and businessman, and his farm once had a large butter and cheese factory.
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 79003114, listed June 22, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Marengo at 19621 E. Grant St., Marengo |
|---|---|
| County | McHenry County |
| Listed | June 22, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003114 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Built c. 1846-1848 |
| Architect / builder | Orson Rogers |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied private residence; described as virtually unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.23643, -88.58080 (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 79003114.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7104167
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.