Entire home

Historic Whiffletree place, 4br, riverview, no neighbors

Photo gallery for Historic Whiffletree place, 4br, riverview, no neighbors

Terrace/patio
Terrace/patio
Exterior
Property grounds
Bathroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Kitchen
  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Breakfast included

Explore the area

Map
Sparland, IL
  • Shoppes at Grand Prairie
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Peoria Civic Center
    ‪36 min drive‬
  • Peru, IL (VYS-Illinois Valley Regional)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Capone room

1 Queen Bed

Cozy corner

3 Single Beds and 1 Double Bed

Marilyn room

1 Queen Bed

Master

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Historic Whiffletree place, 4br, riverview, no neighbors

Come stay at the beautiful and historic Whiffletree place. Located just 25 miles to Downtown Peoria, and on the main route from Chicago to Peoria, It’s the perfect place to escape and spend time with friends or family. Nestled on sprawling acres, boasting with panoramic views of the whole river valley, star lit skies & cozy nights await you.


THE HOUSE:

Whiffletree has a lot of character, that's why we love it so much. It’s old and historic, yet modern with current creature comforts. This spacious and newly renovated 2 story red brick home has plenty of room for a large family gathering or reunion and can accommodate 12 guests comfortably. We have WiFi, a hot tub, 4 smart TVs, a fully stocked kitchen, plenty of acres to explore, a game room, kids bedroom equipped with toys and tons of space for relaxation.

There have been many famously known individuals who have enjoyed a stay at Whiffletree place, many of them on get-aways from the Chicago area in the early 50s. With the likes of Al Capone and Joe Louis as frequent visitors to name a few, this house leaves you with a feeling of historic pride. Questioning the past and imagining the stirs and noises that this home has heard.

During your stay explore the adjacent 41 acres of public land known as the Wightman Lake Wildlife Management area. Go bird watching from the birdwatch. Take a short walk to the Illinois River to fish or up water street to Frank park to let the kids play, hoop on the court or have a picnic at the pavilion. Or stay back and enjoy a fire at the outdoor firepit, relax in the private hot tub or take it all in and stargaze.

HUNTING/FISHING:
Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area is just minutes from your stay with 3 areas.There is a 6-acre picnic area, fishing, and access to hunting and hiking trails adjacent to Route 26/29. The habitat ranges from upland forest to riverbottom to cropland. There are over 3,000 acres of public hunting land in Marshall county and surrounding Whiffletree. The Illinois River in Sparland is also known to be very good fishing, just a 5 minute walk from the house.

Guest access:
The house and surrounding 41 acres are free to explore. The west sunroom is still under renovations and will be locked. The east sunroom is accessible and free to enjoy just note it is not 100% completed. There is a closet on the main level and two closets on the second level that are locked in addition to the door to the basement. On the exterior of the property there is a smaller red building that is locked.

-We are close, so if a problem does arise we can promptly come out to the property to address any needs. Communication is best so that everyone can have a great experience! So please be sure to let us know about anything.

Other details to note:
We do provide smartTVs, we do not provide general cable due to the secluded/rural area. Wifi is available. Window AC units in almost every room May/September. The grocery stores in Lacon may not carry untraditional items or be as stocked as what you are used to. Kroger in Chillicothe is the best bet if you are looking for organic items. Or try out Lacons seasonal Farmers Market on Saturday mornings in the courthouse parking lot.



-We take many precautionary measures to eliminate insects. However, due to being near many farms, the river and the rural location in general. It’s possible you may see insects around the home. Country living is the best living!


-We do provide some fishing poles and gear that are available to use. Please notify us before your stay if you’d like to use the poles. Please know, if you are above the age of 16. You will require an IL state fishing license to fish public waters.


-Just across the bridge in Lacon is a quaint and cozy downtown. Many small shops and boutiques await you to explore, come experience the true heart of small rivertown living!


LOCAL:
1.7 miles to Lacon Marina/Downtown Lacon
6.5 miles to Chillicothe Sportsman Club
8.5 miles to downtown Chillicothe, IL & The Town Theatre
6.9 miles to Marshall County Fish & Wildlife Lacon, 1.0 miles Spring Beach Unit between Sparland & Chillicothe
7.7 miles to Chilli Paintball inc.
23 miles to downtown Peoria Heights, IL
27 miles to downtown Peoria, IL
28 miles to downtown East Peoria, IL
38 miles from Starved rock State Park
35 miles to Matthesion State Park
2 hours from Chicago

Property manager

Tyler Behnke

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Breakfast included
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

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House Rules

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Sparland

Sparland is home to this holiday home. Knoxville Crossing and Prairie Lake Crossing are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wellie Jackson Park and Camp Wokanda.
Map
Sparland, IL

What's nearby

  • Shoppes at Grand Prairie - 30 min drive - 39.7 km
  • OSF Saint Francis Medical Center - 35 min drive - 42.5 km
  • Peoria Civic Center - 36 min drive - 42.9 km
  • Peoria Riverfront Museum - 36 min drive - 43.3 km
  • Bradley University - 38 min drive - 50.7 km

Getting around

  • Peoria, IL (PIA-Greater Peoria Regional) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Victoria's Country Diner - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Grandma Rosie's Sweet Treats - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Coffee Hub - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Whiffletree place, 4br, riverview, no neighbors pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

Where is Historic Whiffletree place, 4br, riverview, no neighbors located?

Set in Sparland, this family-friendly holiday home is within 20 mi (32 km) of Wellie Jackson Park, Knoxville Crossing and Camp Wokanda. Davis Lake and Detweiller Riverside Park are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.0/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jerry w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As advertised?

Great place for a girls retreat. 8 of us ( all family) had a nice time. It was secluded but only 4 min from Lacon with a nice gift/thrift store, and restaurants, winery near by also. It’s on a wetland where you can go on a hike. Lots of wild life ( deer, geese, snake, ducks were seen) the house was stocked very well. Owner was easy to get ahold of. Great house great time!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

About the host

Hosted by Tyler Behnke

Host profile image