Lysander Jacoby House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lysander Jacoby House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2 Jacoby Pl., Rockford, Illinois |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002607 |
| Added to NRHP | March 5, 1982 |
The Lysander Jacoby House is a special old home in Rockford, Illinois, United States. It is also known by other names like Burr Heights or Richwoods. This historic house was built for Lysander Jacoby, who was a lawyer. Later, it was owned by important people, including a well-known grocer, a doctor, and even Rick Nielsen, the famous guitarist from the band Cheap Trick.
History of the Lysander Jacoby House
Who Was Lysander Jacoby?
Lysander C. Jacoby was born in 1816 in a town called Lysander, New York. When he was about 18 years old, in 1834, he moved west. He studied law at Harvard Law School and finished his studies in 1842. The very next year, he became a lawyer.
Mr. Jacoby started a very successful law business in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also worked as a judge in circuit courts, which are courts that move around to different locations. In 1862, he moved to Rockford, Illinois. He bought some land near the Rock River and had his house built by 1865.
Over time, Lysander Jacoby started to act a bit unusually. He worked as a lawyer for a short time with Horace Taylor. But then, he became a "recluse," meaning he mostly stayed at home and avoided going out or seeing many people. He did attend the Second Congregational Church. Otherwise, he spent his time at home with his family and his very large collection of books. Lysander Jacoby passed away on September 30, 1900, and was buried in Rockford. His daughter, Lillian, taught art classes at Rockford College.
Later Owners and the House's Legacy
The same year Lysander Jacoby died, in 1900, a man named Charles D. Burr bought the house. Charles Burr was important because he helped start Burr Brothers, a chain of grocery stores across Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. When the Burrs moved in, they renamed the house Burr Heights. They also changed the gardens and outdoor areas to make it one of the most beautiful places in Rockford.
Charles Burr lived in the house until 1919. That year, he sold it to Dr. Robert C. Bourland. The Bourlands were a well-known family in the area. They sometimes had famous guests visit their home, including Clarence Darrow, a very famous lawyer.
The Lysander Jacoby House is considered very important because of its history and architecture. On March 5, 1982, the National Park Service officially recognized it by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect the house and its history for future generations.
