Boult, H. P., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 at 1123 South Second Street in Springfield, this two-story wood house on a brick foundation is a well-preserved example of simplified Queen Anne design with Eastlake ornamentation. It has projecting gables and bays, horizontal siding, corner posts with x-braces, pointed dormers, a tower and two porches. The front porch has a carved pediment and tapered round posts. Inside, a curved cherry-wood staircase, a slate fireplace, pine doors painted to resemble fruitwood, cast-iron register covers and sliding wooden window shades survive. Only a rear sleeping porch has been added. H.P. Boult, a miller, and his wife Mary built the house; he died in 1890 and she sold it in 1891 to Thomas B. Watt, whose family occupied it for six generations. Having been home to just two families helps explain its unusual integrity. The Illinois Historic Structures Survey cited it as one of three examples published in its interim report, and its architecture is the basis for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination holds that the house is one of the best examples of simplified Queen Anne architecture in Springfield, with Eastlake ornamentation. It was cited by the Illinois Historic Structures Survey as one of three examples published in its interim report. Its interior and exterior are remarkably intact, probably because only two families have occupied it.
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 82002598, listed June 3, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1123 S. 2nd St., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | June 3, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002598 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Simplified Queen Anne with Eastlake ornamentation |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, with the original site and interior woodwork preserved; the only noted alteration is a rear sleeping porch addition. Currently a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.78835, -89.65383 (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 82002598.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19460621
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.