Stronghold Center, Tudor-style retreat center along Rock River in Oregon, Illinois
The Stronghold Center features steeply pitched gable roofs, decorative half-timbering, and an impressive circular tower with a floating staircase design reaching five stories.
Walter A. Strong, publisher of the Chicago Daily News, commissioned architect Maurice Webster to build this residence between 1928 and 1930 during the Great Depression.
The Great Hall spans 55 feet with a 34-foot vaulted ceiling, housing a stone fireplace and connecting to a circular library containing hidden passages.
The Presbyterian Church runs this year-round camping and retreat facility, which accommodates over 12,000 visitors annually with modern buildings and rustic cabins.
The dining room contains a 20-foot oak table that required placement before wall completion, necessitating additional floor support due to its weight.
Location: Illinois
Inception: 1930
Architects: Maurice Webster
Architectural style: Tudor architecture
GPS coordinates: 42.04550,-89.34330
Latest update: March 3, 2025 12:55
Black Hawk Statue
1.5 km
White Pines Forest State Park
11.8 km
Lowden State Park
2 km
Castle Rock State Park
9.1 km
Stillman's Run Battle Site
15.1 km
The Soldiers' Monument
3.7 km
John McGrath House
20.4 km
Illinois Freedom Bell
7.5 km
Bryant H. and Lucie Barber House
20.4 km
Oregon City Hall
3.5 km
Masonic Temple Lodge No. 420
3.6 km
Oregon Coliseum
3.4 km
Pinehill Inn
3 km
Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln
20.4 km
Unity Building
3.5 km
Iron Mike (fountain)
3.6 km
302 Washington St.
3.6 km
Buffalo Township Public Library
20.4 km
Soldier's Monument
11.6 km
Samuel M. Hitt House
7.5 km
William Moats Farm
11.4 km
125 S. Fourth St.
3.6 km
T. Goings Building
3.5 km
Oregon State Savings Bank Building
3.5 km
Jacobs Block
3.5 km
Oregon Public Library
3.7 km
Ogle County Courthouse
3.6 km
Henry D. Barber House
20.4 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes