Hunter, Norvall, Farm
Also known as: Model Stock Farm
Why it's listed
Located on South Main Street at the edge of Mechanicsburg, this farm complex centers on a two-story brick house built about 1850 and occupied by the Hunter family since 1863. The house blends Greek Revival and Italianate features: a symmetrical three-bay facade, a recessed entrance with pilasters, a flattened hip roof, frieze windows and a bracketed cornice. A later Eastlake porch and porte-cochere were built with the same careful craftsmanship as the original. Inside, the mantels, woodwork and decorative plaster remain intact. Behind and beside the house are frame outbuildings, including two large barns, several sheds, a garage, a privy and a storage building, most thought to date from the mid to late 19th century. Known locally as the "Model Stock Farm", it was once more than 100 acres, though about 11 acres within the village boundary are included. It is valued as the only farm inside the village limits and as a record of the agricultural economy that sustained Mechanicsburg.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farm meets Criteria A, B and C. It represents the importance of agriculture to Mechanicsburg's development, being the only farm within the village limits and home to the Hunter family since 1863. It was known locally as the "Model Stock Farm". The house is also an outstanding example of the transition between the Greek Revival and Italianate styles, with a largely unaltered interior.
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 85001883, listed August 29, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S. Main St., Mechanicsburg |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | August 29, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001883 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival/Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior condition listed as excellent; the house is virtually unaltered from its 19th century appearance and the property is still used as a farm. |
| Acreage | 11 |
| Coordinates | 40.06767, -83.55320 (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 85001883.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716763
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.