Two early farmsteads stand just west of Huntley on Marengo Road. Both of these farms were owned by Whittemores, who were one of the earliest settlers in Grafton Township. Prescott and his wife Lucy moved to the area in 1838. Their six week journey in covered wagons and subsequent three month stay in Aurora was followed by their settling west of what would eventually become the village of Huntley. Here Prescott named the new township Grafton Township, after the New Hampshire township that the family formerly resided in. Prescott constructed a house made of stone that served as their residence as well as a stage coach stop. This was also the location of early township meetings. This home is now plaqued by the McHenry County Historical Society.
The house pictured below was constructed on the next plot of land just west of the Prescott Whittemore farm. This property was owned by Washington Whittemore, who came with his parents to the area in 1838. Whether he ever resided at the property or whether he built the house is still a mystery, but this farm was among the acres of land owned by Washington. The house is all that remains of the original structures, and as can be seen, it has changed relatively little in 150 years.
The house pictured below was constructed on the next plot of land just west of the Prescott Whittemore farm. This property was owned by Washington Whittemore, who came with his parents to the area in 1838. Whether he ever resided at the property or whether he built the house is still a mystery, but this farm was among the acres of land owned by Washington. The house is all that remains of the original structures, and as can be seen, it has changed relatively little in 150 years.
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| Photo circa 1865 |
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| Photo 2012 |
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| Ariel photo circa 1950 |
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| Note how very little had changed in about 100 years. Even the fence is the same! |
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