Scutt, Hiram B., Mansion
Also known as: Barb Villa
Why it's listed
Barb Villa is a three-story brick mansion at 206 North Broadway in Joliet, Illinois, built in 1882 for barbed wire manufacturer Hiram B. Scutt at an estimated cost of $40,000. Designed by architect James Weese, it is a towered example of the Second Empire style, with a mansard roof, decorative brackets beneath the eaves, pedimented dormers and a limestone foundation. Pressed brick was imported from Philadelphia. Inside, Eastlake woodwork, including door surrounds and an ornate newel post, survives alongside a ballroom, library, dining room and solarium. Scutt moved to Joliet in 1861, served in the Civil War, and in 1874 became the first person in Joliet to manufacture barbed wire. After his death in 1889 the house passed through his son and a former employee, then housed women's clubs and schools from about 1917 to 1977, before returning to use as a single-family home. It is recognized for its architecture and design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is locally significant under Criterion C as an excellent example of the towered Second Empire style, with Eastlake detailing inside. It was designed by James Weese, one of Joliet's first known architects, whom many consider to have produced his best work here. It was built for Hiram Scutt, a barbed wire manufacturer and inventor.
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 02001760, listed February 5, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 206 N Broadway, Joliet |
|---|---|
| County | Will County |
| Listed | February 5, 2003 |
| Reference number | 02001760 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1882 |
| Architect / builder | Weese, James C. |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single-family residence since 1977; the owner is restoring it to open as a banquet facility. Two noncontributing outbuildings stand in the yard. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.52684, -88.08849 (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 02001760.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5769026
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.