John Humphrey House

The John Humphrey House is a late 1800s residence featuring three bays, a one-story porch, and a central entrance with French doors, all complemented by double-hung windows with original wood shutters. The structure combines practical room layout with built-in details typical of residential construction from that period in American architecture.

The house was built in 1881 and belonged to John Humphrey, who arrived from England in 1848 and later served as the first mayor of Orland Park until 1914. The residence is tied to the community's early growth and marks a pivotal moment in the town's founding era.

The structure displays typical residential design elements of the late 1800s, with features like wood shutters and traditional door placements that show how people lived during that era. These architectural choices shape the historic character of older neighborhoods and help visitors understand how communities in the region were originally built.

The residence is a fixed structure that can be viewed from the exterior, with its architectural features visible from the street. Visitors should take time to examine details like the windows, porch, and door openings closely to appreciate the craftsmanship of the original construction.

The house was built in 1881 as the second permanent residential structure ever constructed in the newly founded settlement, placing it at the very beginning of the community's residential growth. This early status makes it a direct witness to the town's founding years, when the first homes were just being established.