It’s a glorified work of carpentry from a time of the past.
The 1850’s home of Lanark’s first mayor resounds its magnificence, retaining the aire of past royalty in a traditional setting, currently maintained by owners, Harvey and Ruth Downing.
Recognizable for the estate size, the house contains an unthinkable number of doors, 62 to be exact, and 52 windows. Within the home, there are five oversized rooms on the first floor including a drawing room and a multitude of walk-in closets, two fireplaces, a utility room, a milk and ice room, a half-bath, a built-in safe and three enclosed porches on the lower level.
The upstairs sports four bedrooms, a breakfast room, two full baths and an enclosed porch, adjoined to the master suite. The linen closet is of course a walk-in design with drawers and compartments three feet deep.
If the size doesn’t appear overwhelming, consider the unfinished attic, which is at least half of the floor space of the lower level and the additional basement with its six spotless rooms. The house is founded on two-foot rock, seen in the basement, with double-brick petitioned walls.
The house is nothing much short of a mansion and according to the Downings, at the time of the sale, "We were the successful bidder,"
The house was put on the real estate market following ownership by three generations of Dames and the willing of the estate to the Catholic Dioceses of Rockford.
The Dioceses rented the home for eight years and then a priest from Shannon moved to the residence. Prior to his arrival, sisters of the Diocese refinished all the woodwork in the home, the hardwood floors, and all the moldings.
With the Victorian era in mind, the Downings ventured to the Chicago area in search of furniture and oriental style rugs which today complete the decor of the house.
Among the outstanding characteristics of the house are the 13 foot ceilings and eight foot doors, the bronze, ornate doorknobs on the lower level and the brass on the upper level, the rounded glass enclosed windows near the front entry, encircling the tower, and the leaded glass windows throughout the home, which radiate rainbows within the room, when the sun shines brightly.
Another particularly interesting window is hidden in the attic area. It is that of a lioness and her cubs, etched in fine detail on a small window next to the floor. Its beauty can only be seen when in the attic.
The built-in safe, which has a date marking of 1849 and the name D. W. Dame stamped within, was planned for the house prior to installation. The two fireplaces in the home and the safe, when installed, formed a perfect triangle in the center rooms. This was to keep the safe dry, according to the Downings.
The one major renovation needed within the home at the time of the purchase was a totally new kitchen. The Downings installed new carpeting, stripped the enameled doors and purchased oak cabinets. The couple credits a Sterling firm for carrying a line of solid wood cabinetry, something they could not find in other area suppliers.
Outside the home, stands the house-like barn. The 4,200 feet structure is between the home and the Methodist Church on the next block.
An old anecdote has it that the second Mrs. Dame went to the Methodist Church across the street. Upon her return home, she was very angry at the church. Her husband then proceeded to build the barn to block the view of the church.
The exterior of the home is an authentic painted wood siding surrounded by numerous trees. Originally, Mr. Downing said, 60 trees and 40 stumps were part of the landscaping as well as a rusty fence and gate. The stumps and fence have been removed gradually, leaving a shady landscape of trees to enhance the property.
The Downings, who gave up a brand new home to move into the residence at 407 East Franklin in Lanark, can only say and both agree, "We had fun. It was a good pass time."
In the eleven years the Downings have resided, almost all of the work has been completed, and 1500 to 1800 people are recorded as having visited the home. "As a rule, I do the downstairs and Harvey does the upstairs," Mrs. Downing said.
Those visitors have come from as far away as England, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Colorado, Florida and other far away places.
"They come to visit relatives and relatives want to entertain them so they bring them here." Mr. Downing said.
The task to redo and decorate the home was difficult, but the recognition they have received by public tour and media proves their time spent was worthwhile.
And Mrs. Downing, who in spite of very troublesome arthritis has diligently worked on the home, said "If I was offered the opportunity to do something that intrigued me as much again, I think I would."
Contributed by Alice Horner -
This house is no cottage in the woods.
When the Downings gained possession of the home, their main interest was in the interior design, a project which intrigued the couple and their granddaughter who was enrolled in an interior design class at her high school.
As it stands, the barn has stalls for 12 head of horses, office space and more than ample room for the family car. On the second story, what was once used for the hay loft has been used by the Downings as a basketball court. Until privileges were abused, the court space was open to area youth.
Sterling Gazette 19 March 1986 by Jonie Larson, Gazette Staff Writer
