Fitzpatrick House

15701 Independence Blvd. (Hwy. 53), Romeoville, IL
Phone:

East < GO > West

This Greek Revival style house was built in the early 1840s by Patrick Fitzpatrick who was one of Lockport's first settlers. It is the earliest known example of local limestone construction in the area, and one of the finest examples still standing. There is some thought that the house may have been built in two sections, the first being that with the front porch attached and the second and later section being the part with the gable roof line facing front in this photo.

The house remained in the family until 1950 when Fitzpatrick's last descendant passed away. Then it became management housing for Material Service Corp. until the mid 1960s after which it sat empty for several years.

In the early 1990s it was was renovated to serve as the headquarters for the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission.

In 2016 it was used by Lewis University as their Regional History Center and Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau. The university had acquired the house in 2001. The Heritage Corridor CVB opened in the house in 2011.

The barn features limestone construction similar to that of the house. The barn doors on the front have been replaced by more modern garage doors.

Look for this sign near the driveway to the Fitzpatrick House. Lewis University is located on land across the road that was donated by the Fitzpatrick family.

Watch for the stone wall and Welcome to Romeoville sign in front of the house on Joliet Rd. Joliet Rd was an early public road and stage coach route between from Chicago to Ottawa Illinois when Fitzpatrick bought this land in 1834.

There is an Illinois Experience Hub located near the barn.

Photo(s): 2016