Octagon House

Octagon House is an eight-sided brick residence in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin that was built in 1856 and rises three stories tall. The structure spans roughly 50 feet (15 m) across, features four dormers, and contains nine hidden passageways distributed throughout its interior along with concealed storage spaces.

Isaac Brown built this residence in 1856 with hidden spaces and concealed passages designed as protection against potential conflicts in the region. The eight-sided design was part of a deliberate strategy to create a more defensible and secure structure.

The rooms display furnishings and household items from the 1850s that reveal how families lived and organized their daily routines during that era. The decoration choices reflect the tastes and practical needs of the time.

It helps to start by viewing the exterior to appreciate the eight-sided form before entering to explore the interior layout and hidden features. The concealed passageways are spread across multiple levels and require careful navigation to discover all of them.

An underground tunnel connects the main building to a former woodshed, revealing an unexpected aspect of how residents moved through their property. The interior spiral staircase crafted from local cherry wood is a handmade detail that visitors often overlook while exploring the other features.