Oscar Taylor House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oscar Taylor House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | Otis L. Wheelock |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001165 |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1984 |
The Oscar Taylor House is a really old and important house in Freeport, Illinois. It was built in 1857. During the American Civil War, it was a secret safe place, called a "station," for people escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad. Today, it's recognized as a special historic place and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Contents
A Look Back: The Oscar Taylor House Story
Oscar Taylor, a banker and lawyer from Freeport, had this house built in 1857. His father, John W. Taylor, was once the U.S. Speaker of the House, a very important job in the government. Oscar himself started Freeport's first bank in 1852. The house quickly became a popular spot for important people and events in Freeport.
A Secret Stop on the Underground Railroad
But it wasn't just for parties! During the American Civil War, it played a secret role. It was a "station" on the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped people escape slavery. People seeking freedom would hide in the basement behind a secret door, cleverly hidden by shelves. That secret door is still there today!
From Home to Museum
The Taylor family owned the house until 1944. Then, they gave it to the Stephenson County Historical Society. It was turned into a historic house museum, where people can visit and learn about its past.
What Makes the House Special?
The Oscar Taylor House is important for a few reasons. It shows us what a grand home looked like in the 1800s. It also tells a big part of Freeport's history.
Italianate Style: A Unique Look
The house is built from rough limestone found right in the area. It's designed in a style called Italianate, which was popular back then. The architect, Otis L. Wheelock, from Chicago, made it one of the first big houses in Freeport.
The house has two main floors, plus a full basement and an attic. It looks balanced, even though it has different parts sticking out. There's a small tower on top called a cupola. It also has rounded sections called bays and a back sunroom. All these parts make the house look interesting and unique.
Why This House is Important
The Oscar Taylor House is special because of Oscar Taylor himself. He was a very important businessman in Freeport. It's also a great example of an Italianate mansion. Most importantly, it played a key role as a secret stop on the Underground Railroad. Because of all these reasons, the Oscar Taylor House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1984.
