Jacoby, Lysander, House
Also known as: Burr Heights; Richwoods; Jacoby Homestead
Why it's listed
Built in 1865 on the east bank of the Rock River in Rockford, Illinois, this 21-room brick house is a bracketed Italian Villa with an asymmetrical plan, a three-story entrance tower and large scrolled brackets under wide eaves. Its outer brick course is yellow Milwaukee face brick. Inside, a flying staircase of spruce and walnut dominates the entry hall. The three-acre grounds hold 22 species of trees, many planted or added around 1900, and reflect the picturesque landscape ideas of Andrew Jackson Downing. The house was first owned by attorney Lysander C. Jacoby, who moved from Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1862. Later owners included Charles D. Burr, a founder of the Burr Bros. grocery firm, whose landscaping gave the property the name Burr Heights, and Dr. Robert C. Bourland, whose family was prominent in Rockford life from 1919. Local sources long regarded it as a landmark. It was rehabilitated in 1979 and 1980 after years of neglect and a fire.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the outstanding example of the Italian Villa style in Rockford, distinguished by its large scale, Italian details and irregular plan. Its site, design and picturesque landscape with 22 tree species correspond to Andrew Jackson Downing's ideals. It is also tied to Jacoby, grocery executive Charles D. Burr, who improved the grounds, and humanitarian Dr. Robert C. Bourland.
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 82002607, listed March 5, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2 Jacoby Pl., Rockford |
|---|---|
| County | Winnebago County |
| Listed | March 5, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002607 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa (bracketed Italianate, picturesque movement) |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; rehabilitated from May 1979 to August 1980 after a March 1980 fire, with destroyed elements reconstructed. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 42.28731, -89.06250 (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 82002607.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16849263
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.