1999 Historical Home Tour

Homes

Anna

Located in the historical area of downtown Anna, this handsome home with its charming wrap-around porch was built in 1896 by William N. and Margaret Corlis, who were prominent citizens of the community.

This house was built on Main Street in Anna in 1891 by R. Johnson who had settled in Union County with his wife in 1852. In Anna, Mr. Johnson worked as a retail tailor in his downtown shop which was also located on Main Street. The original grounds of the home contained a barn, a smokehouse and a working fountain with goldfish. After a devastating fire in 1990, the present owners did extensive rebuilding and restoring of the home. Today, this beautiful home features the original staircase and woodwork which was salvaged from the fire and a lovely ornate front sitting porch.

Cobden

This lovely victorian home nestled amoung hundred year-old maples was built in the late 1800's by Napolean Parmely, commonly known as "Pole". A brother built a home similar in design several miles south of the original. Over the past 30 years the home and surrounding gardens have been fully restored and designed using many local craftspersons and artisans.

Jonesboro

When John and Rosa Ditter bought this 72 acre farm in 1898, the house was just two rooms. They completed the additions in 1907 and the house stands essentially the same since that time. The home remained in the family until 1977. The woodwork is original and surprisingly has never been painted.

Union Congregational Church, Cobden, Illinois

In 1999, a historical church building was on the tour for the first time. The Union Congregational Church in Cobden, which has been in existence for over 100 years, was highlighted. Much of the stone structure itself has been untouched. Preserving the three major stained glass windows and the several other supporting stained glass windows have been a project for the congregation in recent years.