Preston Castle, also known as the Preston School of Industry, is a historic castle-like structure located in Ione, California. Built in the late 19th century, Preston Castle served as a reform school for juvenile offenders and operated from 1894 to 1960. The castle’s architecture is striking, with its imposing turrets, crenellated walls, and Gothic Revival-style…
Nestled in the charming Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, the A. E. Burckhardt House stands proudly as the home of Adam Edward Burkhardt, a furrier hailing from Bavaria. This stately mansion earned its place on the esteemed National Register of Historic Places back in March 1980, a testament to its rich history and architectural significance. Adam Edward Burckhardt, affectionately known…
Known for their influence and wealth, Leland (a member of “The Big Four”) and Jane Stanford were also widely recognized for their philanthropic giving. An example of this legacy is seen in the reconstruction of Sutter’s Fort during the 1890s. Adjusting for inflation, their combined donation of $900 is roughly equal to over $25,000 today….
Human history has long been preserved by scribe, and it’s hard to image ancient pieces like the Bible, the Declaration of Independence, or Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” (1818), were penned on papyrus or parchment by hand. Since those days, technology has completely transformed the way we communicate, with this mechanical marvel acting as the bridge between…
For a long time, the neighbors could only stand and watch as this incredible house in York, Pennsylvania, rotted away. Walls, doors, windows – everything crumbled, and it looked like it could collapse at any time. For a long time, the neighbors could only stand and watch as this incredible house in York, Pennsylvania, rotted away….
In his daily walks up the lane called the “Cobble,” a man from Scotland came across an abandoned small stone cottage located in the area where he spent his childhood. He decided to buy and renovate it. George Dunnett pointed out there are three deserted or unused structures in the Cobbles. The first one is…
The horse-drawn hearse from circa 1880 with coachwork by Marston & Co in Birmingham, England, represents a fascinating piece of Victorian funerary history. Marston & Co, a renowned coachbuilder of the time, was established in the mid-19th century and gained a reputation for crafting high-quality vehicles, including hearses. Founded by William Marston, Marston & Co…
The dilapidated bus was turned into a fashionable and comfortable residence on wheels (Greyhound) in three years. Some individuals inherit their dream home, while others meticulously select and purchase it. However, there are also eager people who build their one-of-a-kind home with their own hands. The latter story involves a brilliant American woman who purchased…
In the heart of Germantown, Philadelphia, stands a timeless testament to 19th-century architecture and the spirit of preservation – the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion. Built in 1859 by the wealthy cloth merchant Ebenezer Maxwell, this elegant masonry building has been lovingly restored and maintained over the years, serving as a window into the past for generations…
A questioner asked: An opening in the bottom floor of an 1850s home in Charleston, SC! What is this used for? Some of the answers were: Probably just an way to access your crawlspace, there’s usually plumbing, wiring and potentially ductwork that periodically may need maintenance -I agree. Sometimes the simplest answer is the correct…