Jackson, Thaddeus, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1820 at 15 Alberta Road in Brookline, this clapboard house is a Georgian Vernacular dwelling with saltbox influence. Thaddeus Jackson built it for his son, Thaddeus Jr., on land once belonging to William Tyng. It replaced an earlier Jackson house that, according to legend, bore the marks of Indian tomahawks in its front door. That older house belonged to Abraham Jackson, a surveyor of highways, farmer and blacksmith whose shop stood on the route to a nearby sawmill. The house probably began as two rooms divided by an entry, with the kitchen in a leanto at the south end. The saltbox shape, windows tucked under the eaves, 8/8 and 6/6 sash and a plain center doorway suggest an early date and a rural character. The rear was remodeled and a garage added in 1941. It is among the few Brookline houses from before 1825 still standing, which underlies its listing for history and architecture.
Significance in brief: The form argues the house is one of a handful of Brookline houses built before 1825 that still stand. It is also a fine example of a vernacular Georgian country homestead. Its slightly old-fashioned style reflects the rural, isolated character of Brookline in the early nineteenth century.
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 85003295, listed October 17, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 15 Alberta Rd., Brookline |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | October 17, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003295 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; built by Thaddeus Jackson for his son, Thaddeus Jackson Jr. |
| Architectural style | Georgian Vernacular (with saltbox influence) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; a 20-by-19-foot garage was added in 1941 and the rear portion was remodeled then. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.30596, -71.15397 (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 85003295.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7708988
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.