Freeman, Clarkson W., House
Also known as: Freeman-Hughes House
Why it's listed
Built in 1878 on West Monroe Street in Springfield, this two-story frame house was the home of Clarkson W. Freeman, a farmer who later worked in the transfer and storage business, and his wife Katherine. Its form is a vernacular take on the Italianate, with two perpendicular wings, a front porch, a bay window, steeply pitched gable roofs and tall, narrow shuttered windows. Intricate Carpenter-Gothic woodwork on the porch and gable ends is described as the most elaborate surviving in the city. The house stayed in the Freeman family, passing to a nephew, Arthur Freeman Hughes, in the 1920s. Changes were modest: a garage and storage room added in the 1930s, removal of three exterior chimneys in the 1960s, and a replaced front door. Original stairways, doors, hardware, trim and furniture survive inside. Its listing reflects its architectural character and its remarkably intact condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as a simple vernacular structure embellished with high-style elements to make it more fashionable. Its Carpenter-Gothic trim is described as the most elaborate of any surviving in Springfield. The house also remained in one family for about a century and retains original furniture.
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 80001411, listed September 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 704 W. Monroe St., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | September 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001411 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1878-c.1930 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Italianate with Carpenter-Gothic detailing |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, occupied, and used as a private residence and museum; the owners intended to create a museum of late 19th century lifestyle and local history. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.79929, -89.66382 (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 80001411.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19461840
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.