Duncan Manor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Duncan Manor
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | McLean County, Illinois |
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| Nearest city | Towanda |
| Area | 6 acres |
| Built | 1866 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003164 |
| Added to NRHP | February 9, 1979 |
Duncan Manor is a very old and special house in the countryside of McLean County, Illinois. It's close to a town called Towanda. This beautiful house was built around 1866. It was the home of William R. Duncan. He was a famous farmer who raised a type of cow called short-horned cattle.
The house has a unique style called Italianate. This means it looks like a grand Italian villa. It has two tall, three-story towers on one side. These towers have fancy roofs shaped like pyramids. The roofs also have decorative brackets (small supports) under their edges. The main front door is right between these two towers.
On another side of the house, there are two 2+1⁄2-story towers. These towers have decorative pediments (triangular shapes) on top. They also have more fancy brackets. Between these towers is a two-story porch. This porch also has decorative brackets.
Contents
What is Duncan Manor?
Duncan Manor is a large, historic home. It was built in 1866 by William R. Duncan. He was a very important person in the area. He was known for his excellent farm animals. The house is a great example of Italianate architecture. This style was popular in the United States during the mid-1800s.
Who was William R. Duncan?
William R. Duncan was a successful farmer and businessman. He was especially known for raising short-horned cattle. These were a special type of cow. People respected him for his farming skills. His beautiful home shows how successful he was.
What is Italianate Architecture?
The Italianate style was popular from about 1840 to 1885. It was inspired by Italian villas. These were large country homes. Key features of this style include:
- Tall, often square towers
- Low-pitched roofs
- Wide eaves (the part of the roof that hangs over the walls)
- Decorative brackets under the eaves
- Tall, narrow windows
- Sometimes, a cupola (a small dome-like structure on the roof)
Duncan Manor shows many of these classic Italianate features. Its towers and decorative details make it stand out.
National Recognition
Duncan Manor is a very important historical building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 9, 1979.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is an official list. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. When a place is on this list, it means it's special. It's worth protecting for future generations. Duncan Manor's listing shows its value. It helps people learn about the past.
Visiting Duncan Manor
Duncan Manor is a private home. However, you can sometimes learn more about it online.
- www.wrduncanmanor.com
- www.facebook.com/duncanmanorillinois
