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.

Opening in the Sun

Purple Cornflower Beginning Its Bloom

Purple Cornflower Beginning © 2008 Bo Mackison

A pale purple coneflower just beginning to open.

This plant is common in Wisconsin and found in dry prairies and open savannas from Nebraska and Iowa east to Arkansas and Indiana. Farther east, it is seen occasionally usually an escape from cultivation. Illegal digging represents a major threat to this plant in some regions.

Funhouse Mirror?

Funhouse Mirror?

Funhouse Mirror? © 2008 Bo Mackison

Like Abbott and Costello?

Dancing on the Prairie

Purple Coneflowers

Purple Coneflowers © 2008 Bo Mackison

Pale Purple Coneflowers.

Bridal Flower

Bridal Flower © 2008 Bo Mackison

Like a blushing bride waiting

Dancing in the Prairie

Dancing in the Prairie © 2008 Bo Mackison

or dancer of the hula in the gentlest of breezes.

Weinermobile Visits the Capitol

Weinermobile Visiting Concerts on the Square

Weinermobile Visits Concerts on the Square © 2008 Bo Mackison

On July 3rd the Weinermobile was on display across the street from the State Capitol Building in Madison, Wisconsin. Ah, a photo op and why not? The car is a Wisconsin icon, and an American icon, too.

Oscar at Concerts on the Square

Yummy! © 2008 Bo Mackison

This particular Weinermobile bears the license moniker YUMMY. Very smart, these hot dog people – putting the plate inside the car. There have been reports of missing plates on some of the vehicles. Other licenses the cars have include BIG BUN, OH I WISH, WEENR, WEINER, and OUR DOG, all Wisconsin plates.

Inside the Weinermobile

Inside the Weinermobile © 2008 Bo Mackison

Really smart interior. Not only is everything catsup red and mustard yellow, but the ceiling is a lovely cloudscape. Very uplifting, especially during those winter months when the skies tend towards gray and cloudy.

Weinermobile Factoids

Weinermobile Factoids © 2008 Bo Mackison

In case you are interested, you can read more factoids from the real sign.