WJBC radio reports that the historic Duncan Manor mansion in Towanda, Ill., has new owners.
Bud and Diane Sullivan are restoring the 1870s mansion that stands along I-55 and old Route 66. Diane told the crowd Tuesday night, the surrounding land is contracted to be farmed another two years. Then, residents will see more changes on the property.
Diane says her husband is tightening security on the site due to a string of recent vandalism. She plans to open the house to the public for possible tours on June 8.
The project will take about $1 million and several years to complete. At that time, the Sullivans plan to hold a formal reception as a fund raiser and to give the public a view of the improvements.
Last year, the mansion was placed on Landmarks Illinois’ 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list. So this new development is obviously good news.
(Photo courtesy of Landmarks Illinois.)
This is great news. I stopped in Towanda several years ago, got a piece of pie and asked about that huge house. The waitress told me the false local legend says that the house was part of the Underground Railroad.
Slaves would hide in the towers and when the local law searched the house, starting in the basement and working their way up, the slaves would climb down ladders hidden in the walls to get to the basement.