Charles H. Hibbard House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charles H. Hibbard House
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The Charles H. Hibbard "Cupola" House in Marengo, Illinois.
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 413 W. Grant Hwy., Marengo, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1846. |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003113 |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 1979 |
The Charles H. Hibbard House is a historic home in Marengo, Illinois. It's also known as the Cupola House. This special building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
For a while, the house was empty and looked quite old. In 2003, a group called the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois even said it was one of the most "endangered" landmarks in the state. But don't worry! After that, the house was fixed up. Now, it looks much better on the outside. The city of Marengo also recognized it as an important local landmark.
What Does the House Look Like?
This house is a great example of Italianate architecture. This style was popular in the mid-1800s. It often features wide eaves, tall windows, and sometimes a square tower or cupola.
The house gets its nickname, the Cupola House, from the cool, eight-sided tower on its roof. This Cupola wasn't just for looks! It helped air move through the house, keeping it cool. People also think it was used as a lookout during the American Civil War. Imagine someone looking out from there!
Inside, the first floor has two bedrooms at the back. These were probably used by servants who worked in the house. Upstairs, on the second floor, you'll find six more bedrooms. There's also a long hallway, a back staircase, and a bathroom.
A Look Back at Its History
The Hibbard House has a pretty interesting story. Building started in 1846 for Charles Hibbard. He moved in with his family in 1847. The house was built to be just like his childhood home. It has 14 rooms in total! Back then, it cost about $16,000 to build, which was a lot of money.
Charles Hibbard bought the land, which was about 7 acres (28,000 square meters), from Christopher Sponable. Hibbard came to Marengo from Charleston, South Carolina. He was one of the first store owners in Marengo. He was also known for being a great gardener and grew amazing produce.
During the Civil War, many people believe the house was a safe stop for runaway slaves. This was part of the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped people escape slavery. The cupola played a key role in this. If it was safe for people to stop for food and a place to rest, a light would be hung in the cupola window. The house even had a secret underground room in the yard! Its hidden entrance was near the front porch.
Charles Hibbard passed away in 1872. By 1874, the house was owned by Joseph Dietz. He ran a machine shop in Marengo. Dietz married Caroline Sponable, who was the first white child born in Seneca Township. Dietz owned the house until 1894.
After Dietz, a person named A.H. Hale bought the house and kept it until 1950. Then, a local teacher named Jane Stanford bought it in 1950 and owned it until 1955. Jane Stanford was a well-known educator and community leader.
From 1956 to 1980, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Muzzy owned the home. Mary Stanford Muzzy, who was Jane Stanford's niece, and her husband bought the house from Jane's family. Mary Susan Neal has owned the house since 1980. She lives in California and became a lawyer there before 1972.
