Step inside Ottawa’s historic homes

Those who harbor a love of old houses will have an opportunity to view four of Ottawa's historic homes this weekend.

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will host its fourth Historic House Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. The tour is self-guided, allowing ticket holders to travel at their own pace.

This year's walk includes a special photographic exhibit of 2017 tornado damage to the Hossack House, which is among the homes featured on the walk. The photo exhibit includes scenes of the renovation process as well as additional information about the other three homes on the tour. The exhibit will be at the museum, 1100 Canal St., Ottawa.

Another addition to this year's house walk is a quilt raffle. Tickets for the quilt, which was crafted and donated by the Illinois Valley Quilters Guild, are $1 each or six for $5. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the walk at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Among this year's featured homes are:

The Cora J. Pope Home, 116 W. Prospect Ave.

Milton and Cora Justine Pope built this 18-room Victorian home on the south bluff of Ottawa, overlooking the Illinois River, in 1902. Cora oversaw much of the construction work herself. The couple did not have children, but each had an abiding interest in the community.

When Cora died in 1942, the sixth item in her will bequeathed her home, together with all the household furniture, furnishings, goods and equipment, “to establish and perpetually maintain a home for the comfortable support and maintenance of aged, respectable, indigent women, who may be incapable of self-support, but not including any who may be paupers, the said home to be always known and named The Cora J. Pope Home.”

The home is presently being renovated to serve as a bed and breakfast. Current owners are Larry and Ellyn Mitchell.

The Hossack House, 210 W. Prospect Ave.

In the early to mid 1850s, abolitionist John Hossack engaged the services of architect Sylvanus Grow to design his new home, which was to be built on the south bluff overlooking the Illinois River. The home was completed circa 1854-55. It was rumored to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. The house has graced that spot on Ottawa’s south bluff and has been a landmark to generations of Ottawans.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the federal government sent staff to Ottawa to photograph the house and conduct historical research on it. In 1972, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In February 2017, a tornado caused significant damage to the property, ripping off most of its roof and leaving it open to the winds and heavy rain that followed in the wake of the tornado. Homeowners Rich and Kyla Mennecke went to work immediately to begin the home’s restoration.

The W. H. Jacobs Home, 228 W. Prospect Ave.

This home at the west end of Prospect Avenue was built circa 1913 for William H. and Elizabeth Jacobs. Elizabeth was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Porter, whose home is immediately east of this home. William was from Amboy and worked for his father-in-law for many years. The couple’s marriage in February 1890 was quite a social event in Ottawa.

For many years, this was the home of the Dr. and Mrs. John J. Eldridge and family. The current owner is John Hoagland.

The George Hull Home, 325 Clay St.

The 1902-03 Ottawa City Directory lists this as the home of George and Alice Hull and their daughter, Charlotte, who was a teacher. By 1907-08, the Edward C. (Lilla) Walters family were in residence. Edward was a general agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Peoria railroad.

The family of Edward R. (Amelia) Claus later resided in the home for a long time — 1914 to 1951. Claus was the secretary/treasurer for the King and Hamilton Company of Ottawa.

In the 1980s, Gerald and Gail Castelli purchased the home. Gail is remembered for her Glamorous Nails by Gail nail salon operated out of the home. The home is currently on the market and available for purchase.

Tickets to the house walk are $20 and may be purchased at the museum; at Handy Foods, 604 W. Main St., Ottawa; or Herman’s Package Store, 504 W. Main St., Ottawa. For more information, call the museum at 815-431-9353.