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Take a Walking Tour of Ottawa Illinois

historic homes June 14, 2016

Illinois is dotted with river and rail towns filled with beautiful architecture from days gone past. I love the variety of historic homes across the Land of Lincoln and enjoy exploring these little towns that are nestled near venues of transportation in the 1800s, such as rivers and railroad tracks. We recently visited the bustling town of Ottawa, tucked along the shores of the Illinois River. I’d love for you to take a walking tour of this charming town with me.

Red Brick Mansion in Ottawa Illinois

Ottawa is located west of Chicago and is situated where the Fox and Illinois rivers converge. You’ll find plenty of homes with old world charm, like this stately red brick home could be a joy to live in. A series of arched windows add softness and interest to the strong lines of this home.

Gray Victorian Home

A few more arched windows make their way onto the clapboard exterior of this pretty Victorian. Large trees on the property help to cool the home during the hot and humid summer months of Illinois.

White Historic Home with Wraparound Porch

I love this stately white farmhouse with its wrap around porch.

Tiny Carriage House

At the back of the property is this charming carriage house complete with flower boxes.

Red Brick Historic Home

Another red brick home has arching brick work on the front, with architectural detail on the eaves.  Walking through the tree-lined streets of Ottawa make you feel like you’re in another place and time.

Historic River Town Homes

Both hubby and I enjoyed seeing this white charmer. I love the arched dormers and the intricate detailing on the front porch. Not to mention, there’s a porch on either end of the home.

Take a Walking Tour of Ottawa Illinois

This beautiful home is a fine example of a stick style Victorian house.  Popular during the late 19th century, stick style was a transition from Carpenter Gothic to Queen Anne style.

Classic White Historic Home

 Normally I don’t like homes with an oddly asymmetrical exterior. Note that the windows are spaced oddly apart. Regardless, this home has unexpected appeal. Part of that appeal lies with the old-fashioned brick streets.

Take a Walking Tour of Ottawa Illinois

Another beautiful Victorian home on the same brick road. Brown siding and green shutters give this charmer a bit of an earthy feel.

Red Bungalow Craftsman Style Home

Red siding embraces a low-slung roofed bungalow with its crisp white trim. Neatly sculpted bushes create a natural fence around the perimeter of the property.

Blue Clapboard Victorian

This blue beauty looks like it was painted with the sky. If you’re like me, when you see a house such as this, you want to step across the threshold and explore every nook and cranny!

Historic Victorian Home

Two-story bay windows grace the front of this Victorian home.  Double doors open to visitors and pretty filigree work crowns the porch.

Cape Cod with Cottage Garden

A messy cottage garden signifies the home of an avid gardener. Cottage-style flowers reach for the sky and put on a show for anyone passing by. The home is painted in one tone, allowing the garden to take center stage.

Illinois River

The cottage garden house is perched on a bluff above this river. Such an idyllic place to live.

Do you have a favorite home of the ones shown here from Ottawa Illinois?

 

Filed Under: historic homes11 Comments

Comments

  1. Cindy says

    June 14, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Hi Jennifer , finally back . I always enjoy your tours. I also like the quaint white cottage. The home with the garden fits the home

    Cindy

    Reply
  2. Marie says

    June 14, 2016 at 10:30 am

    WOW thats all I can say is WOW

    Reply
  3. CleanLivingGal says

    June 14, 2016 at 10:31 am

    I love looking at houses, I always have! The low slung red bungalow was my favorite, followed by the gardener’s cottage.

    Reply
  4. Carol Cook says

    June 14, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    I love visiting Ottawa – what wonderful homes.

    Reply
  5. Linda E. says

    June 14, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    I just LOVE when you feature those beautiful homes in Illinois !!!!! My favorite……the last one, the little green cottage with all those flowers everywhere, I want to move in !!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  6. Barb says

    June 14, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    I moved away from Illinois many years ago. Thanks for reminding me how pretty it really is and how many wonderful homes are located there!

    Reply
  7. Jane @ See Jane Learn says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    SO many beautiful homes~I love them all, but my favorite is probably the white farmhouse with wrap-around porch and the adorable carriage house. We lived in Glen Ellyn, Illinois from 2010-2012 and seeing these remind me of the Main Street homes and other Illinois towns… We just don’t have as many vintage homes here in Gig Harbor, Washington!

    Reply
  8. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says

    June 15, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Beautiful Jennifer. I have to agree that white charmer with two porches is pretty awesome. Loved the tour.
    Kris

    Reply
  9. Debrashoppeno5 says

    June 17, 2016 at 6:43 am

    Oh I do love this series. My fave is the white house with the 2 porches and the 2nd brick house.

    Reply
  10. Shannon McIntyre says

    May 2, 2017 at 7:06 am

    My FAVORITE is your home, Jennifer followed by the Red Bungalow and then the green garden cottage [it gets extra points for being situated on the water <3]
    We are being relocated to Illinois from Alabama this summer. I am pretty nervous but some how this walking tour has helped put me at ease. Ottawa is top on our list. We are looking at a rental house on Webster street. I would love to hear your thoughts about that area.

    Reply
  11. Jac says

    September 18, 2021 at 10:49 am

    I grew up across the street from the White House with the asymmetrical door. It was right on the Illinois river & the homes on that brick street were all so beautiful. Thanks for the memories

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. Visit my new sister site, Pond and Garden, for outdoor ideas and inspiration.

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