West Dundee in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Duff House
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 8, 2016
1. Duff House Marker
This New England style farmhouse was built circa 1848, by Samuel Wilder to resemble his former New York State home. Robert and Lucy Duff purchased this property in 1868; however, historians claim they lived at this location during the Civil War and that the Duff House was a station on the "Underground Railroad". The mission of the "Underground Railroad" was to secretly assist runaway slaves by a loosely constructed network of escape routes that originated in the South, intertwined throughout the North, and eventually ended in Canada. Stories are told of slaves from the South hidden in the cellar of the Duff House. In the dark of night, Robert Duff transported them by wagon to another station, Buena Vista Corners, 6 miles west of town, to continue their journey to freedom.
May this plaque serve as an everlasting memorial for all who suffered hardship and uncertainty to build a better life for future generations.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Architecture • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 42° 5.878′ N, 88° 17.183′ W. Marker is in West Dundee, Illinois, in Kane County. Marker is on Main Street (Illinois Route 72) east of 8th Street (Illinois
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pinkerton’s Early Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); West Dundee Riverwalk (approx. 0.3 miles away); W. [William] W. & Phebe Welch (approx. 0.3 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Otto J. Maha (approx. half a mile away); Dundee Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 0.6 miles away); Billy and Ma Sunday (approx. 1˝ miles away); Illinois Watch Case Company (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Dundee.
Also see . . .
1. Did the 'Underground Railroad' stop in the Dundees and Elgin?. Chicago Tribune website entry (Submitted on March 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. National Park service website entry (Submitted on April 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Underground Railroad (PBS). (Submitted on April 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 8, 2016
2. Duff House and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,550 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
