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Million Dollar House

December 11th, 2016 at 10:30 pm

I live in Central Illinois. In our city of around 73,000, a decent house can be purchased for around $150K. Some more, some less. Of course this isn't high end finishes and such, but a decent home in a nice neighborhood. I wanted to preface what I'm going to describe by telling you these facts.

Yesterday, my husband's brother and sister-in-law took us through the house they are staying at that belongs to their friend. It is a million dollar house. It is a few miles from our house, but it is in a small community just outside of city, like a suburb, and the taxes are high, high, high. As is the water bills. This house has huge timber beams, quarter sawn oak trim, cabinets, and even doors. No hollow core doors here. The kitchen has a six burner gas cooktop that I drooled over. Many of the floors are hardwood, and the steps going into the lower level are slate. The floor in the lower level is tile. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, but the two second level bedrooms each have a vanity in them. The lot is fairly large and backs up to the woods. It has a fancy screened in porch with windows as well. The garage which isn't attached, is two car and the garage doors cost $10,000 each. It really was a show place. And part of me was just a little jealous.

Then, I thought how much the taxes have to be. And how much it would cost to heat, cool, water, and maintain this property. My little 3 bedroom ranch is just fine. But, it is just funny to see such an expensive house with all high end finishes. Except for one thing...the two shower stalls didn't have glass or doors. She had cheap vinyl liners. No curtain over them. So maybe life isn't perfect after all. But I'm still coveting those six burners! Smile

Our town has Millikin University. James Millikin is a big name in our town and there is a manse called the Millikin Homestead that has been preserved. Each Christmas they have tea and you can walk through the house and look at the furnishings and decorations, and enjoy either a cup of hot punch (rum if you want it added), coffee, and some cookies. A few blocks over there is the former governor Richard Oglesby mansion that also has a Christmas tea. Oglesby was a buddy of Abraham Lincoln so it is always cool to go through his house and see the furnishings. We were teasing one of the guides that Mrs. Oglesby truly had a master suite because in the bedroom was a washstand and a chamber pot. For its time, it was a "suite." Both of these houses really put on quite a spread and you can donate if you wish, but basically they are free. It was a nice way to spend some time on a raw, rainy afternoon.

The first photo is at the James Millikin Homestead Christmas tea. The other two are at the Oglesby Mansion and I thought the punch bowl was unique.






6 Responses to “Million Dollar House”

  1. Butterscotch Says:
    1481498153

    My grandfather on my monthers side was extremely claustrophobic - the story in the family is it bad something to do with is experience in WWII. Anyway, he couldn't tolorate shower doors, not even clear glass that you could see through. So the showers in his house always had curtains, even though some were designs to have walls. He also could drive in a car without the windows cracked, even when it was freezing!

  2. snafu Says:
    1481500822

    Thank you for sharing photos of your visit to the two very old mansions and their beautiful, old fashioned set up for tea. It struck me as somewhat Downton Abbey - like. Except for the size of the stove, I wonder how much more the folks paying mortgage, taxes and utilities enjoy timber beans and solid wood doors, and quality cabinetry. What do you think the sf was?

  3. rob62521 Says:
    1481501864

    Butterscotch, I never thought of that!

    Good question, snafu!

  4. starfishy Says:
    1481524184

    love the photos of the old estate! when i was in nyc, i overheard a central park horse carriage driver point out to his passengers the most expensive real estate transaction in the city - a $94 million dollar apartment that had recently been bought. then he said that would be topped when construction is finished on a new building near buy. amazing!

  5. alice4now Says:
    1481538642

    Beautiful mansions, the teas sound like a great idea to get people excited about the history.

    I know glass doors are supposed to be "fancier", but such a pain to keep spotless. Or maybe the owners felt too exposed with glass, like anyone could just walk in and spot them? The mystery continues...

  6. PatientSaver Says:
    1481548272

    Interesting....thx for sharing the photos.

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