Orson Squire Fowler chose the area between Wappinger and Fishkill, NY to construct his 4-story 100 room octagon house. He purchased 147 acres of land for it in 1847. The plans for the house were published in his book The Octagon House: A Home for All.

Fowler saw the octagon house as a mode of building that would enable just about anyone to construct their own home. The walls were made from materials that could be found on most properties and the shape allowed for self-supporting construction. Once finished the home would also improve health due to the ease of light and airflow that the shape provided.

Fowler didn’t spend much time in his octagon and the house was rented or leased to others many times. After Fowler’s death his octagon was demolished by dynamite, supposedly because of the history of sickness associated with its residents, especially once it became a boarding house.

Local history has all but forgotten Fowler and the exact location of his house is unknown. The goal of this research is to locate the octagon and to evaluate the history of land use there. This will help us to recall and retell Fowler’s story.