Will County's Historic Landmarks
Will County Rural Structure Surveys
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Historic Landmark Registry - William Gooding House |
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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.
Historic Name: William Gooding House
Common Name: Gooding-Hull House
Location: Lockport Township
(This landmark is located on private property and permission must be granted to view the house in its entirety.)
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