I was invited to join a tour of Carlinville hosted by Laurie Flori. Laurie is an author, freelance writer and Standard Addition advocate living in a Sears, Roebuck home built in Carlinville. Sears, Roebuck homes and especially the Standard Addition are her passion. Periodically she offers tours of the Macoupin County Courthouse and 1869 Jail, her Sears model home (after an illustrated presentation on the history of the Standard Addition) and ends the day with the Macoupin County Historical Society which is housed in a fabulous Victorian house. What a wonderful day! (All photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.)
We started out at the Macoupin Courthouse. The best adjective I can say to describe it is majestic. The exterior is so striking. The interior is full of symbolism and inspires tremendous respect for the business conducted in the Courthouse.
The Macoupin County Courthouse
Stair rail symbols of "Dog" protecting "People" from "Wolf"
Pelicans symbolizing county of "plenty"
Majesty of the Courtroom
For more information on the Macoupin County Courthouse:
Next
Our next stop was the historic 1869 Macoupin County Jail. I guess I now know the meaning of the phrase "being in the click". Wow, This is primitive living at it's worst. The jail was retired in 1988. The last execution to take place in Macoupin County occurred in 1924 and was held behind the jail. An example of one of the 100 tickets sold to see the hanging in on display:
For more information on the jail:
On to our presentation on the Standard Addition in Carlinville which was made up of Sears, Roebuck homes.Laurie illustrates her talk with resources from the period and shares her information in a very relaxing manner.
Laurie presenting on the Standard Addition on Sears Homes
For more information on the Standard Addition of Sears homes, view this web page:
Next on to Laurie's home:
It is just fabulous to see a Sears home in person!
Our last stop was to the Macoupin County Historical Society. There is a wealth of historical items in a stunnning Victorian house. Here are just a few photographs of the riches of history there:
1 comment:
Someone I knew used to own one of the last Sears Kit homes built (from the 1960's)... it's not the prettiest of designs and unfortunately wasn't even built very well (found that out while massively renovating the interior)... but if you want to see it, it's at 2039 S. First St. in Springfield. Yes, the ugly yellow brick thing.
Post a Comment