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Taft Farmstead near Springfield, IL
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Taft Farmstead

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The Taft Farmstead lies just west of Rochester, IL, about 5 miles off the old road. It is a complete farm from the early 1900s, built new rather than remodeled from an older one, with a stately 1912 farmhouse fronted by tall Doric columns. Barns, a grain shed and a chicken coop stand around it, giving a rare picture of a farm of that era.

What is Taft Farmstead?

The farmhouse is in the Classical Revival style: two-story Doric columns line the front porch, and the pyramid-shaped roof has a dormer in front shaped like a pediment. Its design shows how custom, fashionable architecture was reaching farm families in those years.

The outbuildings complete the picture. The main barn, a wooden building for livestock, dates from 1906. There are also a chicken coop, two other barns, a garage, an outhouse and a shed for grain.

History of Taft Farmstead

The farm was set up in the early 20th century. Unlike many farms of the time, it was not built by reworking an older farm, which is part of why it stands out. It joined the National Register in 1980.

Visiting Taft Farmstead: tips

The farmstead is not listed as open to visitors, so view it from the road and respect the property. It is a detour of about 5 miles, best combined with the Henson Robinson Zoo, about 2.1 miles away, or the Strawbridge-Shepherd House, about 3.7 miles off.

Practical info

Address
3438 North Oak Hill Road, Rochester, IL 62563
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated.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

Where to eat near Taft Farmstead

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On the map

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Taft Farmstead with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near Taft Farmstead

All of Illinois
Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, IL

Henson Robinson Zoo

Springfield, Illinois · 3.2 mi from Route 66

A lakeside Springfield zoo with more than 300 animals, open since 1970 beside Lake Springfield.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

2.1 mi from Taft Farmstead

Strawbridge-Shepherd House in Springfield, IL

Strawbridge-Shepherd House

Springfield, Illinois · 1.4 mi from Route 66

A circa-1845 Greek Revival house in Springfield, later dressed up with Queen Anne porches.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

3.7 mi from Taft Farmstead

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield, IL

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden

Springfield, Illinois · 2.4 mi from Route 66

A 100-acre woodland and prairie garden on Lake Springfield, created in 1936 in memory of Abraham Lincoln.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

4.3 mi from Taft Farmstead

Adams Wildlife Sanctuary

Springfield, Illinois · 1.3 mi from Route 66

Forty acres of woods and restored tallgrass prairie in Springfield, run by the Illinois Audubon Society.

Nature & parks

4.7 mi from Taft Farmstead

Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals-Springfield Mine Rescue Station, Illinois

Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals-Springfield Mine Rescue Station

Springfield, Illinois · on Route 66

A 1910s Springfield building that was the nation's first state-run station devoted to mine rescue.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

5.0 mi from Taft Farmstead

Lincoln Colored Home in Springfield, IL

Lincoln Colored Home

Springfield, Illinois · 0.2 mi from Route 66

A 1904 Springfield building from one of the nation's earliest orphanages serving African American children.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

5.3 mi from Taft Farmstead

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