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

The Mother Rudd Barn

Historic Garden

— 1840 s —

The Mother Rudd Barn Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

1. The Mother Rudd Barn Marker

Inscription. The Mother Rudd Home is the oldest building in Warren Township. It served as a stagecoach stop, inn, tavern and post office. After the organization of the township in 1850, it was the official town hall and all caucuses and elections were held here.

It is believed that the Mother Rudd Barn was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Shelter and food were provided to escaped slaves as they journeyed from the South to freedom in the North and Canada. All that is left of the barn is this foundation.

Erected by Sears and the Village of Gurnee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 42° 22.368′ N, 87° 55.127′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It is on Kilbourne Road 0.1 miles north of Old Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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,

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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); Lake County's First African American Settler (here, next to this marker); "Lamp of Liberty" (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. 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

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 23, 2012

2. The Mother Rudd Barn Marker

of all markers in Gurnee.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 23, 2012

3. The Mother Rudd Barn Marker

The Mother Rudd Barn, 2026 view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 9, 2026

4. The Mother Rudd Barn, 2026 view

The marker on the right, dedicated in 2023, is about Amos Bennett, the first African American settler in Lake County who settled in Gurnee in 1835.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 23, 2012

5. The Mother Rudd Barn Marker

The Mother Rudd Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 23, 2012

6. The Mother Rudd Barn

The Mother Rudd Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 23, 2012

7. 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 May 20, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,546 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.