Sunday, July 21, 2013

Historic Illinois Town

My mom and I took a trip to a little historic town in Illinois. We made the trip so we could visit some relatives, do some family history, visit the city cemetery and of course, get in a little antiquing!

The most exciting part of my trip was seeing my cousin again after 30 years. Yes 30 years, I was in Junior High and my cousin was in her 50's at the time. We not only got to visit with her but we got to stay at her house for two nights! At her VICTORIAN house!! The house was built in 1876.


A closer look at the front porch and its detail work/fretwork...


Below is a view from inside of the beautiful stained glass transom window and the stained glass window in the door...


and the beautiful staircase with the newel post lamp...


A little peek into the parlor. The french mirror is so pretty and the glass dome with two dolls wearing corn shuck clothing inside was also a favorite. Her gilt french chair is a beauty too!


I won't show her whole house but I will show a few of my favorites with you.
This chair with its elegant bullion fringe...


This Meissen monkey band set...


and this wonderful calling card holder. This piece is original to the home and has that owner's monogram on it. Or at least I think that's the story I was told.


Here are few of the other historic homes in the neighborhood.
This Italianate style house was built in 1872...


and the owners built two neighboring homes for their two grown children back in 1876, one of those two being the home that I stayed in (the white one)...


A closer look at the veranda on the first home. Look at the chandeliers and statues! Just gorgeous!


Moving on around the block is this Queen Ann with a turret...


And this Queen Ann with a turret...


I couldn't get a good shot of this one because of the tree but it is a beauty also.


A great front porch/veranda on this one...


and a matching carriage house...


This one is the Governor Duncan Mansion, built for the Governor and his wife in 1834. Abraham Lincoln visited here often. The DAR gives tours of this house, but it was not open while I was in town and I was not happy about that. But oh well.


This one is kind of a mix between Eastlake style and the Aesthetic Movement. A little dark but I still like it.


Just look at all the windows on this one side...


And I have saved this house for last. The gate is open, enter if you dare...


this one looks like it came right out of a horror movie. As you can see it is quite overgrown, not abandoned though, and quite the eyesore for this historic neighborhood.


Here is the town's beautiful County Court House. It has the Mansard style roof.


In 1849 my ancestor's (and many others) came to this town from Mederia Island, located just off of Portugal. There's even a road named after them now.


We visited the Genealogy Library to get some information and I spotted this beauty. I offered to take it off their hands if it was in the way but they didn't take me up on it. Shucks!
It is a feather wreath and is huge, maybe 4'x4' or so.


We got more information by visiting the city cemetery. I think our ancestors take up half the cemetery!


While looking around, I spotted from a distance this stone...


I had to have a closer look for I had never seen anything like it before and trust me, with a mother who has done family history my whole life, I have been to quite a few cemeteries!


Two precious little ones, side by side. The daughter is holding a rose in one hand and her other arm is around her younger brother. So sweet but yet so very sad.


The stone reads... 
In Loving Remembrance of our Darlings
Gertie May                   Samuel James
  Williams                          Williams
July 30, 1905                Oct. 16, 1912
July 30, 1905                Oct. 16, 1912

We had a great visit with our cousin and she and I have so much in common, our love for the Lord, our love for our family and our love for Victorian houses and antiques. I'm so glad I got to visit with her as an adult, I could never do that before because 30 years ago I was a kid. I'm looking forward to our next visit.

I would like to thank Sandi over at ROSE CHINTZ COTTAGE  for featuring my dollhouse from my Victorian Girl's Room post on her HOME party. Thank you Sandi!

I am joining the following parties. Please come and join in the fun.
AMAZE ME MONDAY with Cindy at DWELLINGS
WHAT'S IT WEDNESDAY with Paula at IVY AND ELEPHANTS
HOME with Sandi at ROSE CHINTZ COTTAGE
TREASURE HUNT THURSDAY with Pamela at FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HOME AND GARDEN THURSDAY with Kathy at  A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
HOME SWEET HOME with Sherry at THE CHARM OF HOME
SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY with Cindy at MY ROMANTIC HOME
PINK SATURDAY with Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND

44 comments:

  1. What a great tour!Wonder which town this is at? love that grand porch too with the chandelier!!! Started following you. :-)

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  2. What an amazing tour my friend! The old houses are all gorgeous, specially the one you showed some of the inside. Love it all, specially the Meissen band...gorgeous! Thanks so much for your sweet and kind comments. My floor is not tile, is white marble with onix insets. Have a lovely week.
    FABBY

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  3. Hi,
    I have really enjoyed your show of those Illinois historic Victorian homes. Just so interesting. I would love to tour them all inside. You must have had such a special time with your cousin and your mother on your holiday. Thanks so much for sharing today. Take care,
    Karen

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  4. Wow! Great great posting! I thoroughly enjoyed your tour - and you got to sleep in that beautiful house from 1876!
    I double-checked but I don't believe you gave the name of this town...?

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  5. Oh, my! What a visit you must have had and glad you were able to get some family info. I love trips like this. Your cousin's house is so beautiful and you got to stay with her! The neighborhood is so pretty. I just love the olden homes. We have lots here where I live and each spring there is a historical home tour and it's one of my favorite things to do. Thank you so much for popping in to see me.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. Jacksonville,Ill. The wonderful house with the chandeliers on the porch belongs to my friend Annie. She has Euro Trash Antiques and is a blogger. She has been featured many times in many magazines. It is wonderful inside , a little too trendy, shabby chick, for my taste, but beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Richard and Sissy

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. What lovely homes you have shown us...I especially love those chandeliers on that veranda!

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  8. thank you so much for the tour, especially the cemetery. Loved looking all around.

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  9. I think it's wonderful that you and your mom have times together like this.
    I have never seen a more gorgeous staircase ever! How nice to stay in such a lovely home.
    I would have loved to had a tour of the whole place. I bet it's decked out beautifully for Christmas too.
    I love doing things like this, I wish my daughter did.
    betsy

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  10. Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!!! Thanks so much for sharing! I loved this post:).

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  11. Hoe special to spend the day with your Mom and enjoy the same things. So much history and I adore the house tour. Thank you for sharing this lovely post and also for being so supportive. xoxo Linda

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  12. What a great neighborhood to visit, Gina. The crystal chandeliers are over the top for outdoor lighting. And your cousin's staircase is delightful with all the detail work. How wonderful you were able to reconnect after so many years!

    Debra

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  13. O MY!! What a fantastic post filled with so many beautiful images!! The homes are stunning but the cemetery and tombstone is just riveting....

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  14. Oh - My - Goodness!! How gorgeous these houses are! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and letting me know about this post. I just love it and will forward the link to my friend Rachel, that I've also written about, who lives in the Trammell House in Marietta Ga.

    So glad you got to see your cousin. That is a visit you will always remember.

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  15. what a fun tour and feel free to show more of your cousin's house ...my goodness just the staircase takes my breath away! : )

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  16. Wow Gina
    Your cousins house is beautiful! I love the iron gate and the house looks like a shot from the movie "Grey Gardens". What a wonderful neighbourhood that is and I am sure you had a blast exploring. Have a great day!

    Wanda

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  17. Oh my, such beautiful architecture! The staircase in your cousin's house is simply gorgeous! And I like the detailing of the calling card holder...such a pretty piece! I love the Victorian era, a period when simple things in life held so much elegance and finesse! And the tombstone with the two little ones tells a story of its own and yes so sad.....I enjoyed your post so much! Thanks for the tour and for leaving me such a sweet comment! Have a great mid-week! Hugs,Poppy

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  18. WOW! What a gorgeous houses! Thank your for the awesome tour!
    xo
    ~Wendy

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  19. Oh, Gina. I know how excited you must have been. I would have been too. Just gorgeous homes and area. I have a chair just like the one with bullion fringe that was my mother's. The only thing is somewhere along the line all the upholstery rotted away so it is just the frame. I plan to have it re-done some day but will be so expensive that I keep putting it off. Should have done it before I retired..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  20. Gina
    I know you were in hog heaven visiting and spending the night in your cousins Victorian home

    It is so sad that the wonderful old home you have pictured is deteriorating and no one to help it back to life.

    The cemetery is history but sad just like the little children s grave marker you showed us

    love the calling card holder ,really I loved the entire post

    Janice

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  21. What fabulous homes, Gina! They really are spectacular and I love the verandas and chandelier! How nice that you got to visit your cousin at her beautiful home after so many years. Thanks so much for sharing at my HOME and you're very wlecome for the feature!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  22. These homes are so exquisite. I love all of your fab photos.

    Paula

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  23. Oh my I am just speechless Gina! How beautiful. I would move into anyone of these gorgeous homes in a heartbeat. The grave stone is like you said so beautiful but so deeply sad. Amazing post today.
    Happy Pink Saturday Tami xo

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  24. This is a wonderful post and tribute to times past. Such elegance and craftsmanship. Thank you so much for sharing it.

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  25. Wow! What a great post! You did a fabulous job capturing the detail and charm of the area. I'm ready to go right now! Happy Pink Saturday!

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  26. Gorgeous homes!!! I've never seen a porch with crystal chandeliers ... so pretty! Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  27. Oh what a lovely and fun visit for Pink Saturday. I really enjoyed reading about your reunion. And what gorgeous historic old homes! Your cousin's Victorian home is so pretty. I love the woodwork on it. All the houses were gorgeous. And such lovely and mature trees - plenty of shade for them I'm sure. Again, thanks for a lovely visit.

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  28. Gina,
    I know I left a comment already but I just had to come back and look again! Breath taking!!
    Thanks so much for always stopping in!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  29. Hello Gina,
    Thank you so much for taking us on this great trip to Illinois. Your cousin's house is lovely and what about that stair case - wow. She has so many beautiful things. The neighbourhood is simply stunning. So nice to see pride of ownership on these gorgeous old properties (except for one which is still very impressive).
    Anyes
    xx

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  30. I loved taking the tour, such amazing homes!

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  31. Wow- What an amazing tour. Can you share the name of the town though? It is just gorgeous! I promise NOT to knock on your Aunt's door!!!! xo Diana

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  32. WOW !!! I love this!!! I also love Victorian homes. You must have been in heaven. These homes are like dreams. this is my first time at your blog. I am going to check out your Victorian doll house.
    Thank you for sharing all these glorious houses,
    Marie Antoinette

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  33. What a treat, you had to be in Victorian heaven! Love that porch with the gorgeous chandeliers, now that's living!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  34. What gorgeous homes, amazing details - very well taken care of. Our little town has quite a few - some in decline - I know how hard it is to see gorgeous homes not well taken care of - the cemetery stone is heart tugging! So precious too. I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  35. How wonderful to see your cousin after all those years! Her home is so beautiful and the calling card tray so very special. What fun it is to see all the beautiful Victorian homes!
    Blessings,
    Nancy

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  36. Those houses are amazing! My dream home is a Victorian Mansion with gilded ceilings and chandeliers and a ballroom. One day... :)

    -Veronica

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  37. These grand Victorian Homes are spectacular. Such attention to detail. Thank you for the tour. I enjoyed it all. Captivated by the stone of the children.

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  38. Oh my goodness...what gorgeous homes! The name of your blog describes me to a tee...living the Victorian era is a fantasy of mine. I guess you could call be a Victorian Wannabe too! And those tombstones...oh my...can you just imagine the sadness in that family? Thanks for sharing!

    Debby

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  39. Gina,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!

    The dome in my doll house has a clock in it. I opted not to have the staircase put in my doll house so the rooms would be larger and I could put more things in them!! LOL!!
    I also opted not to have a kitchen either!! LOL!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  40. After spending 20 years living in Illinois...I had to figure out where you were! At first I thought that it was Quincy, but then the Governor's mansion gave it away...Jacksonville! How wonderful to be there and see these awesome homes, and to visit with your cousin!
    Thanks Gina!
    Karen Mc

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  41. I'm in love with that white Italianate with the chandeliers on the porch! OMG!!!!! What a dream house! Gorgeous town.

    Christine

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  42. Enjoyed visiting this post. Will have to check out the Gov.'s mansion.
    d

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  43. Gina:
    I am enjoying looking at some of these older posts! Wonderful homes here!

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