Midwest Mansion Madness

 My post about Bradley Hall has caused me to go down a rabbit hole courtesy of Zillow. It's amazing how many 'mansions' are for sale in the Midwest right now. Particularly ones that may have historical significance (Drake mansion) or are fairly well preserved (original woodwork, minimal modern updates). I find it fascinating to examine the different selling prices in relation to the town populations/proximities to larger cities. The smaller the town, the more difficult to find a buyer, quite obviously, which leads to the issue of corporations or businesses buying the houses and turning them into commercial ventures (which, to be fair, worked out for Bradley Hall up until the pandemic). But without a preservationist minded owner, a lot of these houses lose their key historical features or are completely removed from the public eye in any way (I'm definitely not opposed to museums, antique shops, or bed and breakfasts).

This post is really just about admiring these well-constructed beacons of the past. If you want gaudy and decadent, check out "zillowgonewild" on Instagram (a wild ride!).

The first house I want to show you is also located in Centerville, Iowa. It's called the Drake house or Drake mansion and is conveniently located at 707 Drake Avenue. Any history buff knows which Drake this refers to-- Governor Francis Marion Drake. He commissioned this house as a wedding gift for his daughter and (I believe) even lived there after he retired from public service.

$410,000

Centerville's current population: 5,458 (2019)

The next house is MUCH pricier and was built in 1871. It's referred to as the "John K. Voorhees Mansion" according to Zillow. It's also found in Iowa, this time in Pella. According to the internet, Voorhees was a major farmer in the area known for his horses and Black Angus cows. He had over 400 acres at the time of this house's construction and he used his wealth to also help Dutch immigrants settle in the US.

$1, 250, 000

Pella's population: 10, 231 (2019)

It was probably unfair to lead with the two houses above--the remaining ones will feel small in comparison! This next house is in Sturgeon, MO and was built in approximately 1884. It also retains most of the original features, although it boasts a "state of the art kitchen" according to the listing, which means nice appliances and a rather modern backsplash.

$549, 500

Sturgeon's population: 990 (2019)

The next two are both located in Moberly, MO. The first one sold within the last day or two so I don't have as much information on it as I would like (selling price, when it was built, interior photos).

This one is listed at $185, 000 and is by far the cheapest house I've posted

Moberly's population: 13, 707

Well, that's all I have for now. All photos and listings can be found on Zillow. Keep an eye out for the Midwestern Mansion in your area!

I'll be returning with some updates on the English Country Dollhouse, as well as some books reviews (fingers crossed).