Built circa
1845, this house is significant because of its architecture as well as its
association with William Gooding, chief engineer during the construction
of the I & M Canal. It has also been said that Abraham Lincoln visited
the house.
Architecturally
the house is an excellent example of high-style Greek Revival
architecture. Similar to the Old State House in Springfield, Illinois, the
temple-front design of this house was used for various types of buildings
throughout the United States including churches and public buildings.
Within unincorporated Will County, there are very few houses with the
temple-front design.
William
Gooding arrived to Will County and established his farmstead in 1833.
Between the years of 1834-35, Gooding served as an engineer for the
Indiana Canal Commission. He oversaw the surveys of the Wabash and Erie
Canal extension. During his canal service in Indiana, Gooding was
appointed Chief Engineer of the I & M Canal and began working on the I
& M Canal project in 1836. Gooding acted as assistant treasurer and
trustee on the I & M Canal Board of Trustees until 1871. In
conjunction with his service on the Board of Trustees, Gooding was also
appointed as a U.S. civil engineer for a federal project to evaluate a
tunnel for the I & M Canal.
This house
was designated a Will County Historic Landmark on June 15, 2000.
