Putting Out Fires

Fire Sprinkler

Fire Sprinkler Connection © 2008

Putting out fires…where is that fire hose?

Architectural Beauty

Turn of the 20th Century Mansion, Quincy Illinois

Turn of the 20th Century Mansion, Quincy Illinois © 2008 Bo Mackison

Deatail of Roof, Including Wrought Iron Tulip Garden

Detail of Roof, Including Wrought Iron Tulip Garden © 2008 Bo Mackison

This house in part of a several block stretch of turn-of-the-20th Century homes built on Maine Street in Quincy Illinois. Each home is more fascinating than the last. I love the wrought iron detailing on the roof – can’t you just imagine a stately row of early spring tulips in bloom?

If You Built a $50,000 Home in 1890…

Quincy Museum

Quincy Museum © 2008 Bo Mackison

The Charles and Anna Newcomb Residence was built on Maine Street in Quincy Illinois in 1890-91. The home had 33 rooms and 13 fireplaces. And it’s construction cost was $50,000.

Newcomb House and Driveway

Newcomb House and Driveway © 2008 Bo Mackison

The building was owned by Quincy College for several decades – known as Stillwell Hall – and was used as a residence for male students. My great grandmother was a housemother and cook for “her boys” for several years in the 1940s.

Architectural Detail

Architectural Detail © 2008 Bo Mackison

The building now houses the Quincy Museum.  A complete description of the building and its interior includes a listing of the current museum offerings.

Peak Dogwoods

Peak Dogwoods

Dogwoods in full bloom, the peak of a century old mansion in the background.

The Convent Sitting Room

The Convent Sitting Room

I went to a high school run by a religious order of nuns. Half the brick building was the school; the other half was the convent. The building was destroyed by fire a decade after I graduated and the only parts of the structure that were not harmed were the chapel and the nuns’ sitting room. (I have no clue how that happened – the two areas were in separate parts of the building!)

These two spaces were incorporated into the new building constructed for a seniors’ apartment complex. When in my hometown last week and visiting in one of the apartments, I walked past the old sitting room, camera in hand, and happened upon the shadows playing wildly on the parquet flooring. It just seemed like I should capture the photo for memories’ sake.

I once stood in this room as a 16 year old, accompanied by a concerned parent, and listened to a very long, very stern lecture. But I have no recollection what topic we were all discussing. . . that’s probably good.