Bishop Hill Colony Historic District

One of the oldest remaining Colony brick buildings in existence, it currently houses the Bishop Hill United States Post Office. It had been the Carpenter Shop where furniture and household items were once made.

The Colony Hotel, also known as the Bjorklund Hotel, was originally built in 1852 as a dwelling for Colonists. It was converted to a hotel about 1855. A pantry and barroom were added in 1857, and the kitchen wing in 1858. The third floor — featuring small guest rooms and a large ballroom — was built between 1861 and 1864. The popular innkeeper, Swan Bjorklund, continued to operate it until his death in 1880. After it ceased to function as a hotel, rooms were rented to families or individuals for living quarters.

It was built as a center for daily community life. The ground floor was used as a store and post office, and the second floor was used as a Colony office and living space for Swan Swanson, the storekeeper and a trustee of the Colony. The building is an example of the Greek Revival style with 2½ stories and a full brick basement. Brick piers extend through the second floor where there are three casement windows giving it the character of a Swedish building.

A three-story stucco Greek Revival structure with a two-story tower and 66 six-over-six windows. It was built to be used as a hotel, but instead was used as a dwelling, school, administration building, and later housed a bank, telephone switchboard and apartments. Today it houses the Bishop Hill Heritage Museum and Association offices.