Mother Thompson House
Also known as: Jerome F. & Virginia L. Hagan residence
Why it's listed
Built around 1833-34 at 133 Willow Street in Hillsboro, this brick house has a truncated hipped roof, an elevated first floor and a notably tall twelve-foot main story. Semi-circular arched dormers, eight chimneys, a columned entrance porch with a tracery transom and sidelights, and original 12/12 windows give it an unusual blend of Jeffersonian form and Greek Revival detail. No other building in Highland County combines the two. The house is also tied to Governor Allen Trimble, who lived there until his death in 1870, and to his daughter Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson, called "Mother Thompson." She led the temperance Crusade of 1873 that grew into the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and Hillsboro became known as the cradle of that movement. Notable guests included William Henry Harrison and Henry Clay. The family kept the house for six generations until its sale in 1954. Mid-1950s additions at the rear and south side do not greatly affect the view of the facade.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its link to Governor Allen Trimble and his daughter Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson, known as "Mother Thompson," a leader of the temperance Crusade. It also calls the house one of the oldest and finest in Hillsboro. In Highland County, no other building combines Jeffersonian form with Greek Revival detailing.
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 82003596, listed June 1, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 133 Willow St., Hillsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Highland County |
| Listed | June 1, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003596 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates c.1833-34) |
| Architectural style | Jeffersonian form with Greek Revival detailing |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in good condition, altered in the mid-1950s with rear and side additions and removal of roof cresting. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.20522, -83.60955 (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 82003596.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.