Skip to Main Content

Princeton, Illinois: Underground Railroad Hidey-Hole

Abolitionist Owen Lovejoy's house was part of the network helping black people flee slavery before the Civil War, and the structure had a special "hidey-hole" for concealment.

Owen Lovejoy Homestead

Address:
905 E. Peru St, Princeton, IL
Directions:
Owen Lovejoy Homestead, east side of town on US Hwy 6/E. Peru St. at 8th St.
Hours:
May-Sept F-Su 1-4 pm or by appt. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
815-879-9151
Admission:
Adults $3.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Underground Railroad Hidey-Hole

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Lovejoy Homestead.

Owen Lovejoy's Slave Hidey-Hole

This modest two story home was once used as a station on the Underground Railroad for the "Liberty Line" that ran through Princeton, IL. Come see the "hidey-hole" where fleeing slaves hid, and see where the honorable Owen Lovejoy lived. Mr. Lovejoy was a fierce abolitionist, was elected to the State Legislature in 1854 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1856, where he served four terms.

[Pat Heinen, 06/17/2011]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Red Covered BridgeRed Covered Bridge, Princeton, IL - 3 mi.
Sapp Bros. Pot of Coffee SignSapp Bros. Pot of Coffee Sign, Peru, IL - 16 mi.
Star Trek Vulcan HandStar Trek Vulcan Hand, Peru, IL - 16 mi.
In the region:
Little Wrigley Field, Freeport, IL - 64 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Illinois Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings