1882 – Freeport, IL
Sold / Archive From 2020
717 W Stephenson St, Freeport, IL 61032
Map: Street
- 7 Bed
- 3 full, 2 half Bath
- 2571 Sq Ft
- 0.3 Ac.
Julie Willson, Bussian Realtors :: (815) 235-6106 / (815) 690-2792
Map: Street
Julie Willson, Bussian Realtors :: (815) 235-6106 / (815) 690-2792
I am so glad this house made it on OHD! I have personally been in this home and it is beautiful and well cared for. The exterior was always a bit of a mystery to me. Sort of a hodgepodge of styles and materials. Anyone have any insight on that?
This house is located in a declining city that has a lot of crime, and is located right on the border of a beautiful, historic neighborhood and the beginning of a rough part of town. I hope someone who will care for this beauty purchases it!
Great house, AV. There is definitely a lot going on there on the exterior; and all of it is top, top, quality work; which has stood the test of time admirably. Whoever had it built wanted the very best, on that scale, and plenty of it! 🙂 The granite block is a little shocking at first in combination with the golden brick; but once I discerned that it was indeed stone and not a concrete block facsimile, the look really grew on me. Also interesting and luxe are the many various decorative panels in (probably) wood and terracotta. Very nice. Stylistically; the place is equally multi-varied. My favorite bit is the Shingle style gable on the neighbor side with the rad balcony / porch, (Love those!); as well as it’s accompanying, substantial, brackets the way round. It must have been a show stopper in town, there on the corner of the thoroughfare, when it was built; and that was without question pleasing to the owner. 🙂
There is MUCH to this great house to lament not seeing…..
I had friends who lived next door about 15 years ago! My mom grew up in Freeport,when it was prosperous. It has sadly been in decline for about 20 years or so. BUT, drive just west on Stephenson St. and you’ll see beautiful old architecture! And will then end up at Krape Park, which is such a huge gem for the city. And the community college (Highland CC) is excellent! The city has great potential to come back, just needs industry. 😀
Yes, AV! I do hope that the buyer cares for this stunner with love. I found it interesting (and a bit amusing) that the street view shows the local police parked behind the house and walking up the street. There’s a badly twisted road sign, but it doesn’t appear that it was just done and the reason for the police visit. When I read your comment of the house being on a border between historic and declining neighborhoods, it brought more question to my mind and worry that the house will find itself in poor surroundings no matter the love and care the new owners bring to it. The street view is encouraging, though, as other houses surrounding are well loved and maintained.
I agree — the rear porches and upper story appear classic Queen Anne but the stone portion appears much more Romanesque. To my eye they don’t look like they were originally designed to go together. Also, since the carriage house was added by the second owners, it does seem likely they would have wanted to make their mark on the house too.
Either way, it is a stunning and super well preserved home! Also, did you see the part that there was once a swimming pool in the basement?
A lot to enjoy with this one, but for me the cherry on top was seeing that great bathroom sink!
Yeah – more pix! Had my toes crossed for carriage house and attic pix. Oh well. My toes get charlie horsed from that continual denial. 😉
Hey Jay. Remember discussing the faded crest image in the Massachusetts log home and a previous mystery home? I think maybe I know what was there. Considering the rustic nature, check this out.
content://media/external/downloads/2828
https://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/exmoor_red_deer_antlers/as186a607
https://www.oldhousedreams.com/2020/10/23/shingle-in-south-egremont-ma/
Replied in thread. Thanks’ Sharon. 🙂
https://www.oldhousedreams.com/2020/10/23/shingle-in-south-egremont-ma/
My brain is nearly on overload as I take in all the amazing details this home has! I love the exterior and all the details you notice when you slow down and look at it carefully. How about that great detail in the front gable? And then there is that great marble sin and mirror! And how about that vintage wallpaper in the dining room? There are so many incredible details on this home.
So beautiful inside! I hope that the exterior is lovingly restored and the interior is preserved by the new owner. It’s so sad that so many of these lovely old beauties are in declining neighborhoods. It’s an ebb and flow. The neighborhood may well come back, but by then this beauty may be too far gone. sigh. I’ve seen it in my home town.
The exterior, to me, looks dingy-like another poster, I wonder what a good power wash and paint would o to perk it up. What colors should be used-I’m not good at picking colors! I’ve lived in my house 4 years now, and still can’t decide on a backsplash for my kitchen!
I love those front doors, the wood, the 1st floor ceiling, the bedroom sizes-they look nice and big! The only thing I’d change, is the kitchen. I like lot of counter space on both sides of the stove, so, perhaps a reconfiguration, to get rid of that little butt out, that the stove is on the end of. Maybe make that a pantry.
I feel so sorry for owners of wonderfully kept up houses like this. It takes a lot of money, to either save and restore them, to to keep them looking as good as they have been. And to be able to ask only $149,000 for it? Sad. In any other neighborhood, or city, the owners could ask what its worth, which is a lot more.
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