Gurnee in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Mother Rudd Barn

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

1. The Mother Rudd Barn Marker

Inscription. From all indications, a main line of the Underground Railroad ran through Lake County from Illinois across the state line to Wisconsin. Several sites have been identified as stops in Gurnee, Ivanhoe, Millburn and Waukegan. Oral tradition indicates that the Mother Rudd Barn was one of these stations on the Underground Railroad.

Many times slaves traveled along the riverbanks to avoid detection. The Mother Rudd House and Barn are less than 100 feet from the Des Plaines River making this a prime location for a stop. Furthermore, the Mother Rudd House was a good location to hide escaped slaves because travelers drifted into the inn at all hours of the night.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 22.367′ N, 87° 55.126′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It can be reached from Kilbourne Road north of Old Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is inside the ruins of Mother Rudd Barn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 4690 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee IL 60031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 15 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Mother Rudd Barn (here, next to this marker); Underground Railroad (here, next to this marker); "Lamp of Liberty" (here, next to this marker); Lake County's First African American Settler (here, next to this marker); Timeline (here, next to this marker); The Journey (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Timeline (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad in Illinois (a few steps from this marker); Esper A. Petersen (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Legion Post 771 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Logger's Run (approx.

Mother Rudd Barn ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

2. Mother Rudd Barn ruins

The marker on the left is about the barn's use as a stop on the Underground Railroad; the one on the right is about Lake County's first settler, Amos Bennett. Markers inside the ruins discuss the Underground Railroad; this one is to the left of the entrance.

0.8 miles away); Aquaman Splashdown (approx. 0.8 miles away); DC Super-Villains Swing (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fiddler's Fling (approx. 0.8 miles away); Great America Scenic Railway (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gurnee.

More about this marker. The marker is one of seven inside the ruins of the Mother Rudd Barn. The barn is just north of the Mother Rudd House, which serves today as the home of the Warren Township Historical Society. There are two other markers in front of the ruins, including a separate one about this barn's history as an Underground Railroad stop.

Regarding The Mother Rudd Barn. The Mother Rudd home, just north of here, is one of the oldest structures in Lake County, dating to 1843; this barn, which sits in ruins, was built around the same time. Mother Rudd refers to the woman who was born as Wealthy Buell; after her first husband died, she married Erastus Rudd in 1850, and this home became a local gathering place that was used as a town hall, post office and general store.

Also see . . .
1. Mother Rudd's Temperance Tavern. A history of the Mother Rudd House

The Mother Rudd Barn historic photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

3. The Mother Rudd Barn historic photo

This historic photo of the barn is taken from a different marker about this barn that is on the exterior of its ruins.

and its accompanying barn (site of this marker) from the Lake County History blog. (Submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Lake County's Involvement in the Underground Railroad. An interactive map of the Underground Railroad in Lake County, created by the Dunn Museum of Lake County. (Submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Illinois Underground Railroad. From Enjoy Illinois, the state's official tourism website. (Submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The Mother Rudd house and barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

4. The Mother Rudd house and barn

The marker is in the ruins of the barn, part of which is visible the right side of this photo.

The Mother Rudd Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 23, 2012

5. The Mother Rudd Home

The Mother Rudd Home is located just south of the barn.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.