County of house: Alexander County
Location of house: 28th St., & Washington Ave., Cairo
Built: 1865
Architectural Style: French Second Empire
"The city of Cairo has made a decision to sell Riverlore, the stately white brick mansion that has been at 2723 Washington Ave. since 1865.
"The city purchased the home in 1999 from its fourth owner, Ann Wolter, for $250,000. The estate, at that time, was appraised at $675,000.
"Plans were tentatively made to create a bed and breakfast of the four-level, eleven-room manse.
"But, it didn't happen.
"In the ensuing years, lunches and tours brought in crowds eager to peek into the luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms, the third-floor theatre, as well as the downstairs rooms that had served as the backdrop for the 19th century social life in the city's heyday.
"Although popular, those lunches and tours were not adequate enough to keep the "white jewel" going, at least in the manner in which she was accustomed.
"And now, the Victorian beauty is for sale, at the same price the city paid 16 years ago — $250,000. That includes the furnishings, antiques and reproductions.
"Thanks to two grants, the reproductions were bought in 2000 by the city. One was from the Tourism Attraction Grant of Illinois through the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The other was from the Southernmost Illinois Development Empowerment Zone.
"City treasurer Preston Ewing said that Mayor Tyrone Coleman and the city council convinced themselves that their only alternative was to sell Riverlore because of the present economy.
"Recent upgrades include rebuilding the steps that lead to the front entrance.
'"That is at the top of our list," Ewing said. "The outside has been neglected due to the lack of funds.
'"We will bring the mansion, visually, to where it should be, and will monitor the funds as the improvements progress."
"He said the interior is in good shape." ~ The Southern Illinoisan, by Dixie Terry, December 6, 2015