Flanders House (Plainfield, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Flanders House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 405 West Main Street Plainfield, Will County, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Built | 1841 |
| Architectural style | Federal Style & Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001688 |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1991 |
The Flanders House is a very old and important home in Plainfield, Illinois. It was built way back in 1841. This house is special because it shows us what homes looked like a long time ago. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it is protected for its history.
Contents
History of the Flanders House
Plainfield's Early Days
The town of Plainfield was started in 1829 by a man named James Walker. He helped build a sawmill near the DuPage River. This mill was very important. It helped bring many new people to the area. Plainfield became the first lasting community in Will County.
The town was also a popular stop for travelers. It was halfway along the stagecoach route between Chicago and Ottawa. A stagecoach was like an old bus pulled by horses. Being on this route helped businesses in Plainfield grow.
Who Was Jason Flanders?
Jason R. Flanders moved to Illinois from Boston, Massachusetts. He first lived in a place called Troy Township. He was a farmer there for eight years. In 1840, he moved to Plainfield.
Jason Flanders was involved in the lumber business. He helped supply wood for many buildings in Plainfield. He was also the very first constable in Plainfield. A constable was like an early police officer. By the time he passed away, he owned a lot of land, about 300 acres.
The House Through the Years
The Flanders House was built in 1841. It was always used as a family home. It might have also offered a place for travelers to stay, like a hotel. This was common for large houses on stagecoach routes.
Only two other buildings in Plainfield are older than the Flanders House. In 1974, the house was sold to the Peace Lutheran Church. They used it as a parsonage, which is a home for a church leader.
In 1990, the church sold the house. It was then carefully fixed up to look just like it did in 1841. Because of its history and how well it was preserved, the Flanders House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 14, 1991.
