Founding and Early Settlement

Woodlawn Farm was established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker and his wife Jane, who migrated from Kentucky as some of the earliest settlers in Morgan County, Illinois. After arriving in the region around 1820, the Huffaker family purchased a large tract of land and began developing a working farm.

In its earliest years, the property included a family cabin as well as additional cabins built to house free African American laborers employed on the farm. This early presence of Black workers would later contribute to the farm’s association with Underground Railroad activity.

Agricultural Success and Development

By the 1830s, Woodlawn Farm had become a highly successful agricultural operation. Huffaker focused primarily on raising livestock—particularly cattle and pigs—while also growing crops used mainly for feed. His success made him one of the wealthiest residents in Morgan County during this period.

In 1840, Huffaker constructed a two-story brick farmhouse on the property. Built in an I-house style with Greek Revival architectural elements, the structure still stands today and remains the centerpiece of the site.

Connection to the Underground Railroad

Woodlawn Farm is locally believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad, though this connection is based primarily on oral history and family accounts rather than fully documented records.

According to tradition, Huffaker’s employment of free Black laborers allowed freedom seekers to blend in among workers, reducing suspicion and making the farm a potential safe haven. At the time, individuals who assisted escaped enslaved people risked significant penalties, including fines.

One account comes from Fannie Crassly, Huffaker’s granddaughter, who later recalled witnessing a group of unfamiliar individuals—believed to be freedom seekers—being sheltered in the home during her childhood. She described seeing a frightened woman and child along with others who departed by morning, after which she was told not to speak of what she had seen.

While historians have not definitively confirmed Woodlawn Farm as an official Underground Railroad station, its location along the Jacksonville–Springfield route (now Old State Road) and its historical context suggest it may have played a role in aiding those seeking freedom.

Preservation and Modern Use

Woodlawn Farm was purchased in 2003 by the Morgan County Historical Society with the goal of preserving the site as a living history museum. The property is now operated by a volunteer-led Underground Railroad Committee, which oversees maintenance, educational programming, and public events.

The farmhouse and surrounding grounds are open for seasonal tours, typically from May through September, as well as during special events throughout the year. These programs provide visitors with insight into early Illinois settlement, agricultural life, and the historical context of the Underground Railroad in the region.

In 2007, Woodlawn Farm was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.

Historical Significance

Woodlawn Farm represents multiple layers of Illinois history, including early frontier settlement, agricultural innovation, and the experiences of African Americans in the 19th century. Its possible connection to the Underground Railroad highlights the importance of local oral histories in understanding how freedom seekers may have moved through central Illinois.

Today, the site serves as both a preserved landmark and an educational resource, helping to interpret the complexities of the region’s past.

DISCLAIMER

Some historical accounts vary due to limited surviving documentation. The information presented here reflects the most widely accepted research available.

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