Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

Clarkson W. Freeman House

Historic building
In Springfield, Illinois
0.6 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Clarkson W. Freeman House in Springfield, IL, is an 1878 Italianate home built for a farmer and businessman. Its claim to fame is the ornate Carpenter Gothic trim on the porch and gables, more detailed than on any other house in Springfield. It is a private home, so treat it as a street-side stop about 1 mile off the old road; it has been on the National Register since 1980.

What is Clarkson W. Freeman House?

This two-story house follows an L-shaped plan. The front porch is set off-center, and the east side has a bay window and a bracketed cornice. The windows are long and narrow, each with a decorative head. The real showpiece is the trim: fancy Carpenter Gothic woodwork crowns the porch and the gables, including a false gable over the porch.

History of Clarkson W. Freeman House

Clarkson W. Freeman, who farmed and ran businesses, had the house built in 1878. It was listed on the National Register in September 1980, largely for trim that no other house in the city can match.

Visiting Clarkson W. Freeman House: tips

View it from the sidewalk and respect private property. The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop is about 0.3 mile away, making the two an easy pair with lunch; the Fred Gottschalk Grocery Store is about 0.4 mile, and the Illinois State Museum about 0.5 mile.

Practical info

Address: 704 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Clarkson W. Freeman House

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Charlie Parker's Diner
Springfield, IL · 2.3 mi from Clarkson W. Freeman House
A Springfield diner dating from 1992, handy for a meal while exploring the Illinois capital on Route 66.
Diner & restaurant
Cozy Dog Drive In
Springfield, IL · 2.7 mi from Clarkson W. Freeman House
A Springfield drive-in known for its cornmeal-battered Cozy Dogs, Route 66 memorabilia and guest book.