Wednesday, September 23, 2009

ILLINOIS…

Illinois
Written by C.H. Chamberlain
Composed by Archibald Johnston

By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois, Illinois,
O'er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois,
Comes an echo on the breeze.
Rustling through the leafy trees, and its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois,
And its mellow tones are these, Illinois.

Ronald Reagan & horse in Dixon IL [640x480]

Tribute to Ronald Reagan in Dixon, Illinois (Dale and I visited here while on vacation…)  The statue is located on the banks of Rock River.

IMG_1377 [640x480]

“Begins the Trail”…

Wellman home Lee Center IL [640x480]

The Wellman home in Lee Center, IL where our daughter-in-law, Andrea’s grandfather and grandmother use to live along with their family..  The home is currently being restored by Teresa and Jane who live next door (see the next picture).

1862 Home in Lee Ctr IL [640x480]

These homes are right around the corner from ‘Lisa’ (our niece) who also lives in Lee Center with her family..  This home was built in 1862.

Lisa Trey Trevor Sep 2009 [640x480]

Lisa has her hands full with Trey and Trevor…  Trey doesn’t slow down much as you can see from the picture and Trevor plays high school football as a freshman..Whitney Mansion 1856 Lee Center IL [640x480]

The Whitney Mansion was built in 1856 outside of Lee Center and has quite a history per Lisa.  When I have time I’m going to do some research..

Sheila Sharon & Blackhawk Sep 2009 [640x480]

Sheila and I visited the ‘Blackhawk’ statue which is located outside Oregon, IL also overlooking Rock River.

Blackhawk construction 1910 [640x480]

Next year Blackhawk will be 100 years old..  I use to think that in the ‘olden days’ visitors could climb a staircase inside the statue and look out Blackhawk’s eyes… but that is just an old rumor.. the statue is hollow inside.

John Deere in Grand Detour IL Sep 2009 [640x480]

Attended a craft festival at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, IL… actually we (Sheila, Dale and I) didn’t realize  an entrance fee had to be paid at the front.  We parked along the side and were questioned when we entered ‘unknowingly’ through the back gate.  I guess we were “”gate crashers”” and didn’t know it!!!  Made our way to the front and paid the fee.. what a way to end our Illinois vacation :(

John Deere barn in Grand Detour IL Sep 2009 [640x480]

We watched a blacksmith work over a coal fire in this barn.

IMG_1182 [640x480]

Visited a museum in Princeville, IL with the Plattner’s.  This old school house was moved across the fields to this spot per Marlene, Plattner.  A local school board meeting was scheduled to be held that evening in this historical building.

Pail and dipper Princeville IL [640x480]

The old pail and dipper was the way for the school children of the old days to have a refreshing drink of water…

Jesse in old school house Sep 2009 [640x480]

Our oldest grandson, Jesse, took a seat in the old school house ready for a lesson…

Dale and I totally enjoyed our vacation to our home state:  ILLINOIS!!!  (next post will be of more family we visited)

4 comments:

Plattner Ranch said...

Trevor has turned out to be a good lookin' boy. I'm gonna do some research of my own on that house.

Plattner Ranch said...

I did a quick search on Google and looked up Lee Center but didn't find anything on The Whitney Mansion.

Let us know if you learn anything new.

Drew said...

I had no idea you went to Lee Center. I hope I get to see Grandma's house in person again. I know it will never be like it was back then. The people who owned it for awhile destroyed it. It really doesn't seem that long ago that we went there. Grandma always, always had some sort of homemade baked goods, usually rolls or sticky bun. We always had a challenge trying to find fun things to do in the tiny town of Lee Center. :) I miss those days so much!

Norma said...

My husband and I stayed in Whitney Mansion when it was a bed and breakfast in 1993 (family reunion in Mt. Morris). He found it so charming (it was painted white then) he did a lovely painting that appeared on our Christmas card. I think the original went to the owner. He also has one of it unrestored from sometime in the 80s.