William H. Holcomb House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William H. Holcomb House
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The Italianate William H. Holcomb House in Rochelle, Illinois.
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 526 N. 7th St., Rochelle, Illinois |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | c. 1872 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000714 |
| Added to NRHP | October 25, 1973 |
Imagine a beautiful old house that looks like it came straight from Italy! That's the William H. Holcomb House in Rochelle, Illinois. It's also sometimes called the Carl Vandre House. This amazing home, built in the Italianate style, has been a special landmark in Ogle County, Illinois since 1973. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important piece of history!
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The House's Style
The William H. Holcomb House was built in 1872. It is made of wood and brick, sitting on a strong limestone foundation. This house is a great example of the Italianate style.
What is Italianate Architecture?
The Italianate style was popular in the United States from about 1840 to 1885. It was inspired by the beautiful villas of Italy. These homes often have low-pitched roofs and wide eaves (the parts of the roof that hang over the walls). They also feature tall, narrow windows and decorative brackets under the eaves.
Why Is This House Important?
The William H. Holcomb House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 25, 1973. It was recognized for its special architecture. Being on this list means the house is a valuable part of American history and culture.
Who Was William H. Holcomb?
William H. Holcomb (who lived from about 1839 to 1908) was an important person in the railroad world. He was a general superintendent for the Chicago & Iowa Railroad. Later, he held the same big job with the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railway. This company was part of the larger Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
Holcomb's Career Highlights
In the 1880s, Holcomb became the General Manager of the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company. This was a big role in connecting the country by train. In 1893, he was the General Manager of Transportation for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This was a huge world's fair! He also worked as a vice-president and general manager for the Union Pacific Railroad.
