Price-Prather House
Also known as: Price,James R.,House; Prather,J. Frank,House; Village Park
Why it's listed
Built around 1868 for cattle dealer James R. Price, this 12-room red brick house in Williamsville, Illinois, is a two-story Italianate dwelling with hip and gable roofs of multicolored slate, heavy bracketed cornices, segmental arched windows with brick hood molds, two suspended bay windows and a wraparound wood porch. A summer kitchen and a small brick ice house sit behind it. Around 1910 the front was remodeled, adding an oak staircase and larger west windows. The house is recognized for its link to J. Frank Prather, who owned it from 1882 to 1927. Prather became a leading Shorthorn cattle breeder, served 22 years as a director of the American Shorthorn Association, and was treasurer of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture. He kept his breeding records in a bookcase in the west parlor. The house is also regarded as the best local example of Italianate design and a fine home of a prosperous farmer-businessman.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to J. Frank Prather (1859-1927), an important Shorthorn cattle breeder and long-time director of the American Shorthorn Association and the Illinois State Board of Agriculture. It is also argued to be the best local example of Italianate architecture in Williamsville and a good example of a prosperous gentleman farmer's home.
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 91000574, listed May 13, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Main and Elkhart Sts., Williamsville |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | May 13, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000574 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1882-1927 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Being completely restored by its new owners; the brick ice house outbuilding is dilapidated and roofless. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.95471, -89.54636 (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 91000574.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20709681
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.