Condit, Cortland, House
Also known as: Condit House Memorial Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1849-50 of local orange brick and native lumber, this raised one-and-a-half story farmhouse in Putnam, Illinois, was the home of Cortland Condit. Its Greek Revival overtones show in a simple entablature, cornice returns and a gently pitched shingle roof, while six-over-six windows reflect Federal influence. A sunken lower level once served as the kitchen and dining area, and hand-hewn walnut beams support the roof. Condit, a New York merchant who moved to Putnam County in 1836, donated and surveyed part of his land for a town, first called Condit and renamed Putnam in 1882. A rural survey found the house to be the only one of its kind in a four-county area and the oldest surviving brick building in Senachwine Township. His descendants kept the property until 1972, when it was donated to the township for use as a library or historic site. Alterations have been minor, and restoration continues.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its unusual Greek Revival architecture, identified by a 1982-83 rural survey as the only one of its kind in Putnam, Marshall, Stark and Bureau Counties. It is the oldest surviving brick building in Senachwine Township. It is also tied to the settlement of the area, since Cortland Condit laid out the town that became Putnam.
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 83000335, listed September 16, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off IL 29, Putman |
|---|---|
| County | Putnam County |
| Listed | September 16, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000335 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, with Federal style influence in the windows |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied, with minor alterations and ongoing restoration; owned by Senachwine Township and used as a library and museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.18153, -89.39613 (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 83000335.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q22033832
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.