Addams, John H., Homestead
Also known as: Jane Addams Birthplace; Thomas Ennenga House
Why it's listed
This homestead on North Mill Street in Cedarville includes a two-and-one-half story brick house, a three-and-one-half story Pennsylvania bank-type barn, and the remains of a gristmill along Cedar Creek. John H. Addams built the house in two stages, the northern part in 1846 and the southern part with the central entrance in 1854, adding an Italianate bay and chimney in the 1870s. Of the mill, only limestone foundations, the dam and the mill race remain. Addams arrived from Pennsylvania in 1844 and bought the Cedar Creek Mills in 1845, which grew into one of the largest grist, saw and linseed mills in northern Illinois. He also served as a bank president, railroad director, abolitionist and Republican state senator from 1854 to 1870, and corresponded with Abraham Lincoln. His home housed the area's first public library. His daughter Jane, later founder of Hull House and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was born here.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is significant as the site of one of the largest early milling operations in northern Illinois. It also marks the home of John H. Addams, a prominent businessman, state senator and Republican Party organizer, and the birthplace of his daughter Jane Addams.
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 79000871, listed April 17, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 425 N. Mill St., Cedarville |
|---|---|
| County | Stephenson County |
| Listed | April 17, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000871 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Federal (house, with Italianate bay); Pennsylvania bank-type barn |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the mill survives only as foundations, dam and mill race. |
| Acreage | 5.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.39060, -89.63781 (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 79000871.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6236698
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.