Monday, October 18, 2010

Little House


Trackside, originally uploaded by William 74.

This little stone building sits out in the countryside, just outside of the town of Franklin Grove, Illinois. It's just a few feet away from railroad tracks, Union Pacific's busy mainline from Chicago to Iowa. I have no idea how old it is, or who owns it, only that it's blocked off by a barbed wire fence-this was as close as I could get. I don't even know if it's a house, storage shed, or some sort of railroad building. But I do think it makes an interesting picture, neatly framed by those trees.

Any information about this building would be appreciated.

2 comments:

  1. Hi there! I am a huge history buff and I have some info on this house. My Fiance and I were just out there taking pictures of the inside and out!

    This land was purchased by the Hausen family around 1840. The stones to build the house were brought from a quarry near Franklin Creek.There are 4 rooms with 2 upstairs and 2 down. One day rumors of a railroad from Chicago moving westward became a reality. When the surveyors laid out the right of way the north line would have come too close to the Hausens' back yard. The home owners wouldn't have it, so the railroad is not in a straight line, it curves around the property.

    In Feb. of 1900 their was a marriage ceremony held in that tiny house with 80 guests! Now the Little Stone House sits empty except for it's memories of the past.

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  2. Thanks for the info! I've driven past this little house a bunch of times, and have always wondered exactly what the story was.

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