McPike Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mount Lookout
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2018 Alby Street, Alton, Illinois, United States |
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| Built | 1869 |
| Architect | Lucas Pfeiffenberger |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001389 |
| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1980 |
The McPike Mansion, also known as Mount Lookout, is a large, old house in Alton, Illinois. Alton is a city located near St. Louis in the state of Illinois. This mansion was built in 1869 by a man named Henry Guest McPike. It sits on Alby Street, on one of the highest spots in Alton. Because of its high location, it was called Mount Lookout.
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History of McPike Mansion
Construction of the McPike Mansion started in 1869. The architect who designed it was Lucas Pfeiffenberger. The original owner, Henry Guest McPike, was an important person in Alton. He was the mayor of the city and a successful businessman. He worked in real estate and also made boxes. McPike was also very interested in plants and gardening. He was the Librarian for the Alton-Southern Illinois Horticultural Society. Henry McPike passed away in 1910.
In 1925, a man named Paul A. Laichinger bought the mansion. He rented out rooms to other people. Mr. Laichinger lived there until he died in 1945. After his death, the house was empty for many years. Some people wanted to tear it down to build a shopping center. However, this plan did not happen because of rules about how land can be used. During this time, the empty house was badly damaged. People broke in and took things like furniture, wooden railings, and even the toilets. The mansion became a victim of people breaking in and not being cared for.
The McPike Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1980. This means it is an important historical building. Even so, it remained empty and uncared for until 1994. That year, Sharyn and George Luedke bought the mansion at an auction. They hoped to turn it into a hotel. They were told they could get money from the government to help restore it. However, they were not able to get any restoration money from federal, state, or local groups. Despite this, the Luedkes have worked hard to fix up the mansion. They get money for the repairs through donations and by giving tours of the house. In 2017, they even received an award for their work on the front porch and the conservatory.
Is McPike Mansion Haunted?
The current owners say that the mansion is haunted. They believe it is visited by the ghost of a past owner and a former house helper. Because of these stories, the McPike Mansion is often included in haunted tours in the Alton area. Many people visit hoping to experience something spooky!
Mansion Design and Gardens
The McPike Mansion was finished in 1871. It is a large building made of red brick with white trim. It has three stories and white pillars that support the front porch. Inside, the mansion has 16 rooms. It also has a special wine cellar with a curved ceiling.
The mansion is located on Alby Street, on a property that was originally 15 acres. This spot is one of the highest points in Alton, which is why Henry McPike called his estate Mount Lookout. McPike loved gardening and planted many beautiful things. He had large gardens with fruit trees, bushes, and rare trees. Today, only 4.4 acres of the original Mount Lookout estate remain.
McPike Mansion on TV
The McPike Mansion has been shown on several television shows. These shows often explore mysterious or haunted places.
- It was featured on an episode of Ghost Adventures in 2019. The team of investigators explored the house and its property.
- The mansion also appeared in the series Scariest Places on Earth.
- It was shown on an episode of Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files.
- The mansion was also featured on a show called Ghost Lab.
See also
