Lake-Peterson House
Also known as: Jenny's
Why it's listed
Built beginning in 1873, this two-story yellow brick house at 1313 East State Street in Rockford combines an asymmetrical plan, steep slate roofs, a stone foundation, decorative gables, bay windows and a wide veranda. Its trim is especially fine, with pointed arch vergeboards, carved limestone hood molds and varied windows. The architect is unknown, and John Lake, its first owner, was the probable builder; he may have obtained plans in England. Lake, an English-born carpenter, contractor and lumber dealer, became one of Rockford's wealthiest citizens. In 1918 the house was bought by Pehr August Peterson, a Swedish immigrant who became the city's leading furniture manufacturer and donated the house to Swedish American Hospital in 1919. A later addition and porch were made after 1918, but the original fireplaces, plaster moldings and woodwork survive. A carriage house with a four-gabled louvered cupola also remains. The property is recognized as an outstanding Illinois example of Victorian Gothic domestic design.
Significance in brief: The nomination holds that it is one of Illinois' finest examples of domestic Victorian Gothic architecture, showing the style's mixed materials, incised foliated carving, pointed and straight-headed openings, and heavy gable and eave trim. It also has local significance through its ties to John Lake, a prominent early Rockford citizen, and Pehr August Peterson, a leading furniture manufacturer. The surviving contemporary outbuilding is called unusual.
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 80001424, listed June 25, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1313 E. State St., Rockford |
|---|---|
| County | Winnebago County |
| Listed | June 25, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001424 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1873-1927 |
| Architect / builder | John Lake, probable builder |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; houses professional firms and retail establishments, with the interior essentially unchanged and in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.26710, -89.07445 (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 80001424.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687750
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.