Octagon houses were a fad that swept through the country in the mid to late-1800s. The houses were intended to efficiently use space and be easier to heat. Thousands of Octagon Houses were built before the fad ended in the early 1900s. The remaining number of octagon houses is unknown. Many are private residences or offices.
The list below highlights the Octagon Houses in the Midwest that are available to visit. Wisconsin takes the cake with 5 Octagon Houses. Two of them are at the same museum!
Octagon Houses in Wisconsin
Octagon House, Watertown WI – John Richards, a pioneer settler, built this octagon house. In 1854, the construction was complete and the house was in the Richards family until 1938, At that time, the home was donated to the Watertown Historical Society. Check out my blog post on Watertown and Johnson Creek for other things to do while you’re in town.
John S. Moffat House, Hudson, WI – John S Moffat, a lawyer and judge, and his wife, Nancy Bennet, built this stucco Octagon House. Construction was completed in 1855. The home is now a museum as part of the St. Croix County Historical Society.
Palmer-Gullickson Octagon House, West Salem, WI – Dr. Horace Palmer was the first resident doctor of Neshonoc. They built the home in 1856. The home was later moved because the doctor wanted to be closer to his patients. It is operated by the West Salem Historical Society and is available for tours.
Palmer-Lewis Octagon House, West Salem, WI – This house is also owned and operated by the West Salem Historical Society. It was built in 1857 and was originally owned by Monroe Palmer.
Hiram Smith House, Neenah WI – Hiram Smith house was built in 1856 by Edward Smith, a flour mill owner. The house is now owned by the Neenah Historical Society and houses museum exhibits.
Octagon Houses in Other Parts of the Midwest
Loren Andrus Octagon House, Washington, MI – Loren Andrus built most of his octagon house on his own, using locally sourced materials. It was completed in 1860. It is now open for tours and events.
Guthrie Octagon House, Westland, MI – The Guthrie Octagon house is now part of the Westland Historic Village Park. It was built in the 1850s and includes two wings on the side.
George H. Gallup House, Jefferson, IA – “The Gallup House is the birthplace and boyhood home of Dr. George Gallup. Dr. Gallup was the father of public opinion polling.” i.e. a Gallup poll. Learn more about his influence on politics and policy during your visit. The house can be reserved for longing or events
Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House, Shirley, IN – Jane Ross Reaves saw the plans for an octagon house in a magazine after the death of her husband and she wanted to have one of her own. She contracted the work and the house was completed in 1879. The house is now a museum and is available for visits.
Octagon Schoolhouse, Ortonville, MN – An octagon schoolhouse is one of the historic building at the Big Stone County Museum. It was built in 1898 and was one of the county’s first schools.
Travel Accessory
I’m a huge fan of the product and gift lists you see floating around the internet because I usually find some new-to-me product for myself, a friend or family member. I’d like to offer you the same inspiration by highlighting a travel accessory in each post.
This section contains an affiliate link. If you use this link to buy something I may earn a commission.
There are so many important elements to a great road trip, but snack for the car is definitely towards the top of the list. Sure, you can try your luck at a gas station. Or, with the tiniest bit of advance planning you can order this health snack box and have an entire selection of snack options.
Final Thoughts
Please let me know if there are others that should be added to the list. If you would like to drive by some additional houses that are not open to the public, check out this list on Wikipedia. If you use my trip suggestions or if you’ve visited any of these locations in the past, please provide your reviews in the comments. Please add other itinerary suggestions in the comments, especially if they are off the beaten path. Happy vacationing!