Grierson, Gen. Benjamin Henry, House
Why it's listed
Built about 1850, this two-story brick house at 852 East State Street in Jacksonville, Illinois, is an Italianate dwelling with a simple cross plan, painted white brick walls 18 inches thick and a finished attic. Inside are a curved entry stairway, a two-story bay window in the west parlor and a marble fireplace. The attic once served as a music room, ballroom and theater space. Wings were added during the Grierson years, and later changes include conversion of the interior into apartments. The house is listed for its link to Benjamin Henry Grierson, who moved here with his family in 1851. A music teacher and merchant before the Civil War, he became a Union cavalry colonel and led a 1863 raid south through Mississippi to Baton Rouge, which drew Confederate forces away from Vicksburg. He later commanded Western military districts and returned to Jacksonville after retiring in 1890. His later home was destroyed by fire, leaving this house as the main surviving reminder of him.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with General Benjamin Henry Grierson, who led the 1863 cavalry raid through Mississippi that helped Grant's Vicksburg campaign. It was his home from the 1850s into the 1890s and is described as the only tangible reminder of his service, since his later residence burned. Its alterations are said to affect architectural significance but not its historic associations.
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 80001400, listed November 20, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 852 E. State St., Jacksonville |
|---|---|
| County | Morgan County |
| Listed | November 20, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001400 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence, with interiors slightly altered to serve as apartment units; the exterior is in excellent condition per the form. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.73423, -90.21285 (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 80001400.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19871157
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.