John Hossack House | |
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 Interactive map showing the location of John Hossack House | |
| Location | 210 W. Prospect Ave.,Ottawa, Illinois |
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| Coordinates | 41°20′24″N88°50′28″W / 41.34000°N 88.84111°W /41.34000; -88.84111 |
| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1854–55 |
| Architect | Sylvanus (Sylvannus) Grow |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000462[1] |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
TheJohn Hossack House is a historic house inOttawa, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1854–55 and was a "station" on theUnderground Railroad. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
The John Hossack House was built in 1854–55 byJohn Hossack, a Scottish born Ottawan. Hossack had worked on theIllinois-Michigan Canal inChicago before arriving in Ottawa. Hossack was anabolitionist who hid as many as 13fugitive slaves in his house as a stop on theUnderground Railroad. In a famous 1860 case involving fugitive slave Jim Gray, Hossack and other Ottawans were convicted inFederal Court in Chicago of violating the Fugitive Slave law.[2]
The John Hossack House is considered one of Ottawa's most beautiful houses. It is sited on the banks of theIllinois River overlooking the city. The building was designed by Sylvanus Grow and constructed by Alonzo Edwards. The house is a good example ofGreek Revival architecture. Its details and proportions draw a conscious connection to the Classical tradition.[2]
The house is significant for its role as part of the Underground Railroad as well as the commercial and political significance of its original owner. The John Hossack House was added to the U.S.National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1972.[1]
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