Oscar Taylor House, Italianate residence in Freeport, Illinois.
The Oscar Taylor House stands with rough-faced limestone walls, featuring a prominent cupola, polygonal bays, and a projecting kitchen wing at its location.
Built in 1857 for banker and attorney Oscar Taylor, the house served as a station on the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War.
The residence contains a secret door in the basement that concealed fugitive slaves, reflecting the regional commitment to abolition during the 1860s.
The property now functions as a historic house museum under the management of the Stephenson County Historical Society, allowing visitors to explore its heritage.
Local limestone quarries provided the construction materials for this residence, designed by architect Otis L. Wheelock from the Chicago firm Boyington and Wheelock.
Location: Illinois
Architectural style: Italianate architecture
GPS coordinates: 42.28444,-89.61417
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:25
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