Ivory Quinby House
Ivory Quinby House | |
![]() Ivory Quinby House, Monmouth, Illinois | |
Location | 605 N. 6th St., Monmouth, Illinois |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1867 |
Architect | John C. Cochrane |
Architectural style | Italianate-Greek Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 80001415 [1] |
Added to NRHP | November 20, 1980 |
The Ivory Quinby House was a large estate built for Ivory Quinby (1817–1869), a prominent Monmouth citizen, who was an early benefactor to Monmouth College. Quinby also greatly helped Monmouth become the transportation center it is today, by bringing the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad through town in the early 1850s.
History
In 1862, Quinby set aside a plot of land on the corner of East Euclid Avenue and 6th Street, which was located on a large section of property he had donated to the city for the purpose of expansion and improvement. He had surveyed the area and determined it was the highest point in Monmouth. Quinby had owned a number of houses in Monmouth but wanted something larger. In 1866, Quinby contacted noted Chicago architect John C. Cochrane (who would go on to design the Iowa State Capitol), who designed the home. Construction was completed in 1867. Records indicate indoor plumbing was installed as late as 1901.[2] The house stayed in the Quinby family until 1965, when it was deeded to Monmouth College, reflecting the family's long-standing ties with the college for 112 years. The estate currently serves as the home of the college President. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1980.
Renovations
By 1996, the Quinby House had become very run down, and was in serious need of renovation.[2] Estimates showed the cost of such an undertaking at around $500,000. Ivory Quinby III, who deeded the home to Monmouth College in 1965, stipulated that if the home was left vacant for more than two years, it was to be razed. Since the mansion was becoming increasingly unliveable, funds were raised, and the home was completely renovated from 1996 to 1997. Windows were replaced (many with the original panes), gas light fixtures were wired for electricity, and the original steam heating system was replaced. The house had also been outfitted with a marble coal-burning fireplace, which was kept intact, but non-functioning. The large front porch and bay window was added in the early 1890s.[3]
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b Article on the Ivory Quinby House renovation - Carol Clark, Galesburg Register Mail, 1996
- ^ Article on the Ivory Quinby House renovation - Carol Clark, Galesburg Register Mail, 1996
- Article on the Ivory Quinby House renovation - Carol Clark, Galesburg Register Mail, 1996
- Talk given at a meeting of Fornightly of Monmouth - Eileen Loya, 1984
External links
- "Ivory Quimby". department.monm.edu. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
- "history/archive/QUINBY". department.monm.edu. Retrieved 2014-02-22.