McPike Mansion on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
McPike Mansion, or Mount Lookout, is a mansion in Alton, which is part of the Metro-East region of the
Construction began in 1869 by the architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger. In that year, McPike's Rulander was considered one of the finest in quality at an exhibition of the Mississippi Valley Grape Growers' Association, while his Diana was best on exhibition. McPike served as mayor of Alton and was a notable local businessman, involved in real estate and box making. He also served as the Librarian of the Alton-Southern Illinois Horticultural Society in the late 1880s. He died in 1910.
In 1925, the mansion was purchased by Paul A. Laichinger, who rented rooms out to others and lived there until his death in 1945. While the house was abandoned for years thereafter, there was some interest in demolishing it and converting the land into a shopping center, though this fell through due to zoning issues. In the meantime, the house was ransacked for what was left behind, including its furnishings, wooden banisters and even the toilets, becoming a victim of vandalism and negligence.
The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1980, but was left derelict for many years, before being purchased by Sharyn and George Luedke in an auction in 1994. They had intended to convert it into a hotel, but contrary to earlier assurances at auction, they were unable to secure restoration grant money from any federal, state, or local agencies. Despite this, the Luedkes have overseen a restoration process, funded through donations and tours. In 2017, the Alton Historical Commission presented them with an award in preservation for work done on the front porch and conservatory.
The mansion was completed in 1871. It is a three-story red brick and white building, with white pillars supporting the porch. It contains 16 rooms and a vaulted wine cellar.
Situated on Alby Street on a site of , one of the highest points in Alton, McPike named the estate Mount Lookout. McPike was an avid horticulturalist and added extensive gardens with orchards, shrubs and rare trees. Only of the original estate remain of Mt. Lookout.
Official site
{{National Register of Historic Places Alton, Illinois Houses completed in 1869 Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois Italianate architecture in Illinois National Register of Historic Places in Madison County, Illinois Reportedly haunted locations in Illinois Second Empire architecture in Illinois Houses in Madison County, Illinois Museums in Madison County, Illinois 1869 establishments in Illinois Historic house museums in Illinois
Greater St. Louis
Greater St. Louis is a bi-state metropolitan area that completely surrounds and includes the independent city of St. Louis, the principal city. It includes parts of both Missouri and Illinois. The city core is on the Mississippi Riverfront on t ...
metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Illinois. Built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike (1825–1910), it is situated on Alby Street on a site of , one of the highest points in Alton, which was called Mount Lookout.
History
Construction began in 1869 by the architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger. In that year, McPike's Rulander was considered one of the finest in quality at an exhibition of the Mississippi Valley Grape Growers' Association, while his Diana was best on exhibition. McPike served as mayor of Alton and was a notable local businessman, involved in real estate and box making. He also served as the Librarian of the Alton-Southern Illinois Horticultural Society in the late 1880s. He died in 1910.
In 1925, the mansion was purchased by Paul A. Laichinger, who rented rooms out to others and lived there until his death in 1945. While the house was abandoned for years thereafter, there was some interest in demolishing it and converting the land into a shopping center, though this fell through due to zoning issues. In the meantime, the house was ransacked for what was left behind, including its furnishings, wooden banisters and even the toilets, becoming a victim of vandalism and negligence.
The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1980, but was left derelict for many years, before being purchased by Sharyn and George Luedke in an auction in 1994. They had intended to convert it into a hotel, but contrary to earlier assurances at auction, they were unable to secure restoration grant money from any federal, state, or local agencies. Despite this, the Luedkes have overseen a restoration process, funded through donations and tours. In 2017, the Alton Historical Commission presented them with an award in preservation for work done on the front porch and conservatory.
Haunting
According to the owner, the mansion is allegedly haunted by the ghost of a former owner and a former domestic servant. It frequently is a part of the area's many haunted tours.Architecture and grounds
The mansion was completed in 1871. It is a three-story red brick and white building, with white pillars supporting the porch. It contains 16 rooms and a vaulted wine cellar.
Situated on Alby Street on a site of , one of the highest points in Alton, McPike named the estate Mount Lookout. McPike was an avid horticulturalist and added extensive gardens with orchards, shrubs and rare trees. Only of the original estate remain of Mt. Lookout.
In the media
Television
McPike Mansion was featured on an episode of '' Ghost Adventures'' entitled "McPike Mansion" that aired as a special in 2019 on the Travel Channel. The team of paranormal investigators explored the home and its property, which is said to be haunted by its former inhabitants. The structure also appeared in the series '' Scariest Places on Earth''. It was also featured on Season 1, Episode 7 of '' Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files'', and an episode of ''Ghost Lab
''Ghost Lab'' is a weekly American paranormal television series that premiered on October 6, 2009, on the Discovery Channel. Produced by Paper Route Productions and Go Go Luckey Entertainment, the program is narrated by Mike Rowe. It follows gho ...
''.
See also
* List of museums in Illinois *National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, Illinois
__NOTOC__
This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, Illinois.
This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Madison County, Ill ...
References
Further reading
*External links
Official site
{{National Register of Historic Places Alton, Illinois Houses completed in 1869 Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois Italianate architecture in Illinois National Register of Historic Places in Madison County, Illinois Reportedly haunted locations in Illinois Second Empire architecture in Illinois Houses in Madison County, Illinois Museums in Madison County, Illinois 1869 establishments in Illinois Historic house museums in Illinois