It is my retirement trip of a lifetime and here we are taking another side trip
to Ottawa, Illinois on our way to Rochelle, Illinois for hubby and the railroad park.
We were driving North in Illinois on when I spotted a road sign
referring to, "Beautiful Historic Ottawa".
It was a gorgeous Fall day and while I am not a big history buff
(don't like all the dates and wars)
We agreed to meander off our route to check Ottawa out.
We were so glad we did.
Note: for us "meandering" is a big part of our love of road trips.
I research anything we both love in all the area our route will take us by and
have a huge notebook to refer to as we travel.
Even so........seeing roads signs and billboards give us yet another
chance for new adventures.
Note: for us "meandering" is a big part of our love of road trips.
I research anything we both love in all the area our route will take us by and
have a huge notebook to refer to as we travel.
Even so........seeing roads signs and billboards give us yet another
chance for new adventures.
Welcome to Ottawa, Illinois Historic District.....
Built prior to the Civil War and this 3 story, 22 room mansion built in the
ornate Italianate style is one of the most expensive and ornate homes built in the
Midwest in mid 1800's.
You must call ahead to schedule a tour so we did not see the interior.
However, the gentlemen at the visitor's center told us
there are marble fireplace, the woodwork, plaster cornices, and ceiling
medallions are unmatched for craftsmanship and beauty in Illinois.
Lincoln-Douglas debate in Washington Park, just across the street
from the stone steps.
William Reddick, a loyal Democrat sat with Douglas on the platform.
Mr. Reddick was known for being instrumental in bringing public schools
to Ottawa.
In his will he deeded the property to the City of Ottawa to serve as a public library.
For the next 85 years it did serve as the library until the books were moved to a
new facility.
The mansion is one of several that border the park that is on the
National Register of Historic Places.
in Classical Revival style with red brick and Joliet limestone which constitutes
"architectural harmony". The brick, limestone and the classical style make this one of
"Ottawa's most handsome buildings".
If you look to the left of the huge boulder you will see the statue of Lincoln-Douglas.
Let's move in closer shall we?
In the far right rear you will notice the fountains.
Let's look closer at those....
Lincoln stand 11feet tall, while Douglas stands 9 feet tall.
We walked, sat on the benches, and took so many photos.
The trees were stunning, leaves crunched underfoot
and in in mid October there were such pretty flowers along with the stunning foliage.
I know this is a long post with lots of photos.....
can you hang on for just a few more?
Gothic Revival of English Victorian era.
Built with Joliet limestone and has wood door and a very unique
"Wallace window"
No picture as we could not go inside.
The widow of William H. L Wallace gave this window to the church after the
death of her husband at the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War.
The window is unique as it is "painting on glass" method as if the glass were canvass.
to the Gothic Revival style of the
1870 First Congregational Church directly across the street.
Shown below.
I am from the NE and personally love red brick.
What initially captivated me were the spires on all these churches.
This Historic District reminds me in part of Macon, Georgia.
Macon has some the most beautiful architecturally elegant Churches.
Years ago, I took pictures of many, but my first laptop crashed before I had saved them.
One of these days we are going back to Macon with my Nikon and doing them again.
One last church because I cannot leave any out!
Just to the left was a gas station so it was difficult to capture this as I would have liked.
Backing up too far, added the gas station in my picture.
If you look closely the exterior looks shabby.
The church is going through a huge restoration of it's exterior.
Removal of the stucco-like grey exterior and restoration of the
original red brick is schedule to be starting Spring 2012.
With all the beautiful stained glass windows in each of these I so wished
we had been allowed inside.
With the sun pouring in, it must have been stunning to see those glow with light.
surrounding the Reddick Mansion.
I do hope you enjoyed our historic tour of Ottawa, Illinois.
What is always amazing to me is the grand architecture of the buildings in the towns
of the Midwest.
Then just outside the city limits it is pure country,
barns, bales of hay, silos, for miles and miles and miles.
I realize it is actually Friday, sigh and I am just posting.
Later this morning, I am post a simple "quiet inspiration" post.
I will leave both post up until Monday.
Thank you for your patience on my postings.
How can I be retired and still not have enough hours in the day to do everything I love?
From my heart to your, may your day, your weekend be blessed!
Lynn
1 comment:
I love seeing church building too! These were so pretty.
I thought of your hubby today as I was cleaning the pantry I had national Geographic tv on and they were showing different train crashes and telling the stories behind them!
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