Driving up to the white house on the hill, one can only wonder what history this house holds. Did it just watch the 1858 Oberlin-Wellington Rescue take place or was it an active participant? Did it offer refuge to escaping slaves on their journey to freedom? The dry cistern and the hidden opening in the cellar suggest it may have. Only the house knows for sure!

This house with eyes to the past
stands on the diagonal road that connects Elyria to Wellington as it by passes Oberlin city. It witnessed the abduction of John Price, which many believe began a chain of events that were not settled until well over 600,000 Americans gave their lives to end the question of slavery and the Civil War.

Hallauer House was built
by Nathan Smith in 1830 in the
Greek Revival style but it was the Samuel Wightman family who lived here during the Civil War era and whom we believe, offered the house as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The dry cistern, the hidden dirt floor in the basement, and the pine board floor plug over that dirt floor are all eveidence that the house may indeed have played a role in American history.

Your journey back in time
begins with the clang-clang
of the 1860 doorbell. The
massive door squeaks open
to allow you inside.
Immediately you begin to feel
the presence of the past as it
meets the promise of tomorrow.
Come with us as we take you on
the tour of Hallauer House., our Civil War themed Bed and Breakfast. Explore history, feel history, enjoy history.

So if you're looking for a unique and interesting place to spend a few days or a week,
then we invite you to come on down
and visit our town but right now take
our web site tour and enjoy the Civil
War Facts on each page.

Oberlin's Involvement
in the Underground Railroad culminated in the 1858 rescue of John Price. Price was a runaway slave , living in Oberlin, who had been captured by slave hunters and was being taken back to the south through Wellington. Nearly 40 anti-slave activists from Oberlin, both black and white, set out on a rescue mission to give John Price back his freedom. The activists were arrested and spent 21 months in jail where they launched a newspaper condemning slavery.

"This has been one of the most welcoming stays we have experienced in a B & B. You are very generous to share such a wonderful and historic home and grounds with perfect strangers."    TG (Mich)