One chapter of DeKalb’s history is just a few blocks from campus.

The Ellwood House, 509 N. First St., has been around for some time and holds rooms of nostalgic knowledge. The house was built in 1879 and three generations of Ellwoods resided there until 1964.

Jerry Brauer, executive director of Ellwood House, said Isaac Ellwood was the first of the Ellwood family to live there and helped put DeKalb on the map.

“In the 1870s, Ellwood bought Joseph Glidden’s patent for barbed wire and the two soon became partners,” he said. “Shortly after, the first barbed wire factory was made.”

Barbed wire proved effective as fencing for farmers to keep their cattle from wandering away.

Ellwood is not only known for barbed wire, but also for his strong involvement with education.

“Ellwood helped bring NIU to DeKalb and was heavily involved in many ways,” Brauer said.

He was a chairman on the school's selection committee and served on the board of trustees.

The house itself still stands as a unique landmark.

The house was first used for tours in 1967, but visitors were only allowed in limited sections.

“Years later, the house has been used as it is now for a tour basis throughout the entire house,” Brauer said.

The Ellwood House also has a barbed wire exhibit with more than 200 samples of barbed wire and includes the Ellwood’s and Glidden’s relations to its history.

Brauer finds the Ellwood House to be a remarkable place that holds a lot of knowledge of DeKalb.

“The Ellwood House gives the chance for people to learn the early history of DeKalb and how the town has changed over the years,” he said.

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