Octagon House

Having seen tons of restored old houses in my life, I usually don’t find them all that interesting unless they are lavish, historical or have something special about them. This one belongs to the last category. It is a large and beautiful example of the Octagon style popularized by Henry Fowler. I know aobut Fowler because he came from my home region of Dutchess County, New York. He was a 19^th century looney-​tune who thought he could tell poeple’s personalities by the bumps on their heads and belived ocatgonal house were healthier than square ones. In any case, the prominent citizan of Waterford who built this one did a lovely job and it is very intering to see how it is laid out, with its pie-​shaped rooms. On the grounds (not its original location) is the building that housed the first kindergarten in the US, started by Mrs. Carl Schurz. Well worth a vist and a pleasant itinerary point for a day trip from Chicago.