Rutledge House

Located at 800 North Church Street in Rockford is a stately Steamboat Gothic home built in the 1880's by Rockford brick paving contractor Andrew Rutledge. It was occupied by the Rutledge family (Andrew and Margaret, later son Andrew and his wife Henrietta) through the 1930's. It had been a school dormitory before the restoration and transformation into professional offices in 1961.

Steamboat Gothic simplicity is notable: wide, shaped woodwork; high ceilings with panels outlined in molded plaster; dignified fireplaces; wide doorways; heavy paneled doors with massive knobs; pairs of large windows flooding the interior with natural light; and the spacious curving stairway flowing elegantly from the large foyer.

Interior airiness is accented by white woodwork and cherry red carpeting. Period furnishings compliment the decor. There are green growing plants, beginning with the bricked patio entrance garden -- the bricks made by Andrew Rutledge!

The 1975 addition on the West side of the building maintains and enhances the integrity of the structure's original beauty and dignity. Today's manifestation of the Rutledge home provides a unique environment for a legal office, including support staff, of more than 30 people. The building's century old charm belies the state-of-the-art computer technology it houses.  So equipped, the Rutledge House looks forward to its next century of dignified service.