The Mill Street House | Room for a crowd

It’s your turn to plan the family reunion.

Just the thought of finding just the right place to accommodate an upcoming girls’ weekend, family reunion, or holiday get-together will make you want to pull the covers over your head. For folks living or visiting historic Mount Carroll in Carroll County, the answer exists at The Mill Street House.

It offers a warm, comfortable space for groups or families to stay for events such as weddings, class and family reunions, or the popular Mayfest celebration held annually in Mount Carroll.

Meet your hosts.

Mark and Jody Swiech are the husband and wife team behind The Mill Street House. They both work at Byron High School–Jody is the librarian, and Mark is a substitute teacher.

In December of 2019, Mark and Jody purchased the home from his parents to run the property as an Airbnb rental. Besides refinishing the beautiful hardwood floors and tile backsplash work, the house remains almost the same as it did during Mark’s parent’s ownership.

As luck would have it, shortly after opening the Airbnb, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The owners follow all general Airbnb COVID protocols. The home is thoroughly cleaned, and hand sanitizer is readily available in the home’s kitchen. Business has been good in both 2020 and 2021. “Quarantining is pretty easy in the country,” said Swiech.

Over 100 years old

One of the earliest deeds of record was from Elizabeth and Peoly Holy in March of 1914. The house was probably built about that time by Harry A. Seiple after he came into the title. Mark’s parents, John and Thelma Swiech, bought the home in 1971. Mark grew up in this lovely country home. “I built the current back deck with my dad when I was a teenager,” said Swiech.

Sleeps up to 10-14

Set on a large 2.5-acre lot, The Mill Street House has a screened-in front porch that provides a proper place to relax and greet friends and family. Upon entering the house, you’ll see a beautiful front staircase to the second floor. A bonus is the back staircase that takes you down to the kitchen. You know that the kids are going to love the shortcut.

Featuring five bedrooms, the master has a king-size bed, and the remaining four rooms have queen-size beds. There are two additional mattresses available for overflow. Great for kids! All bedroom and bathroom linens are provided.

Enjoy the living room with a roomy sectional couch and 60” smart TV with cable. It’s perfect for movies and sports. The dining room includes a book nook that provides books and board games for all ages.

The fully equipped, large eat-in kitchen has plenty of seating for your whole crowd. The onsite washer and dryer make life’s most boring chore a piece of cake.

Sliding patio doors take you from the kitchen to the large wrap-around deck with a pergola. The large back and side yard have plenty of trees and lawn for folks to enjoy. Guests have access to a portable fire pit and wood for use on cool nights, but they need to coordinate with The Mill Street House owners for its use.

Parking at The Mill Street House accommodates boats, trailers, and RVs. Water is available for RVs, but not drainage.

You can’t beat the price.

The cost to rent this 5-bedroom country home is only $137 a night. Yes, you read that right. Need a girlfriend getaway or a couple’s retreat? Divide that cost by the number of people, and it’s a steal.

Just a mile from downtown Mount Carroll

The Mill Street House is located in scenic northwestern Illinois, ten miles from the Mississippi River, 40 miles from Galena, and 2.5 hours from Chicago.

This country home is at the edge of town with country views and is a short trip to downtown Mount Carroll. The brick streets take visitors to the town’s shops, restaurants, and bars. Nearby Savanna, Lake Carroll, and Lanark also offer places to explore. The Swieches make sure that plenty of visitor guides, brochures, and restaurant menus are available to use while visiting.

Visitors are a mix of extended local families coming back for weddings, class reunions, and holiday get-togethers. Many guests also come from Chicago and the suburbs to experience the beauty and serenity of the area.

Scroll to the bottom of the article for links to both Mount Carroll and Carroll County.

Open year-round

The Mill Street House operates through all four seasons. The summer and fall seasons are the busiest, with winter being quieter. When the snow flies, the large yard provides plenty of room for guests of all ages to build families of snowmen. Many winter visitors enjoy the ski runs at nearby Chestnut Mountain in Galena.

“If you’re planning on family visiting during the holidays, be sure to get your reservations made sooner rather than later,” said Swiech. You can see why because Thanksgiving and Christmas bring lots of family and friends together.

The proof is in the reviews.

Don’t take my word for it. Many guests leave reviews after spending their time at The Mill Street House. There isn’t a stinker in the lot! Here are a few reviews from recent visitors.

“Beautiful, well-maintained property with a great location to Mt. Carroll and surrounding area. In town for a wedding and the home was a pivotal location for out-of-state guests. Quiet and beautiful with its own charm.” — Eric | August 2021

“This house was so wonderful to stay in. It’s very charming and fit my whole family in one place! Mark was very kind and a wonderful host. We will definitely be staying here again!” — Anne | August 2021

“My friends and I had a relaxing stay at The Mill Street House. The home is in a peaceful neighborhood. We enjoyed having our morning coffee and conversation on the back deck overlooking the grazing horses in the adjoining meadow.” — Mollie | June 2021