Benjamin Stephenson House

The Benjamin Stephenson House is a two-story brick structure with four large rooms per floor and symmetrical Federal-style facades. The walls were built using over 100,000 locally produced bricks, demonstrating the craftsmanship of that era.

The house was built in 1820 by Colonel Benjamin Stephenson during the region's transition from territory to statehood. It served as a key meeting place for politicians and leaders during this crucial period of state development.

The house displays Federal design through its balanced proportions and original Adams-style fireplaces painted in colors typical of the early 1800s. Period furnishings inside give a sense of how prominent families lived during that era.

The house is open for visitors to explore indoors and features demonstrations of traditional crafts and daily activities from around 1820. You should be prepared to climb stairs and move through compact spaces, as the structure retains its original dimensions.

The bricks were manufactured on-site by indentured servants, and the building is the oldest brick structure still standing in Madison County. This local production method made it possible to provide the large quantity of material needed for the massive construction.

Location: Illinois

Architects: Benjamin Stephenson

Architectural style: Federal architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.80722,-89.95222

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59