Hegeler-Carus Mansion declared National Historic Landmark by federal government

LASALLE - The Hegeler-Carus Mansion at 1307 Seventh Street in LaSalle was declared a National Historic Landmark by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 2007.  This upgrades the historical significance of the mansion, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995, from local to national.

 

            "The Hegeler-Carus Mansion's association with publishing and the zinc industry, as well as its outstanding architecture, have moved it up a notch on the nation's official list of historically significant properties," said Robert Coomer, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers the National Register program in Illinois.  "This is a prestigious recognition for the mansion and the LaSalle community."

 

"The National Historic Landmark designation validates what those of us who work with the Hegeler Carus Mansion believe.  It is truly a national treasure and one that is deserving of recognition and preservation.  The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, and the legacy of Open Court Publishing continues to inspire intellectual discussion today," said Hegeler-Carus Mansion Executive Director Sharon Wagenknecht.

            The Mansion was designed by W.W. Boyington, who was among the most important early Chicago architects; many of his buildings were destroyed by the 1871 Chicago Fire.  The Second Empire style house was completed in 1876 for Edward C. Hegeler and his wife Camilla, who was very involved in the decisions regarding the Mansion's construction and interior design.  Edward Hegeler was the inventor of the muffle roast kiln for zinc smelting which revolutionized the zinc industry throughout America.  As a partner with Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company, the largest zinc company in America, Hegeler was a dominant manufacturer in this country.  His daughter, Mary, took over leadership of the company when Edward died in 1910.

In 1887 the Open Court Publishing Company was founded on the first floor of the mansion.  Under the editorial direction of Hegeler and Dr. Paul Carus, who married Hegeler's daughter, Mary, Open Court Publishing brought substantive works of science, religion and philosophy to the mass market for the first time.  Carus was editor of Open Court until his death in 1919, at which time Mary assumed leadership of the firm.  Thus, Mary became the driving force of both the zinc manufacturing company begun by her father and the publishing business started by her father and her husband.        

 

            The Hegeler-Carus Mansion's marvelously intact mansard roof, dormer windows, molded cornices, decorative brackets and towers make it an excellent example of Second Empire architecture.  The interior design was done by August Fiedler, a well-respected Chicago architect who also performed work for the Glessner House in Chicago.    

 

"I am very pleased the Hegeler-Carus Mansion has received this honor," said Sen. Gary Dahl (R-Granville).  "It has long been a symbol of our community, and I am hopeful this designation will result in more people traveling to LaSalle and learning its proud history.  I also congratulate the Carus family for their commitment to preserve this great treasure."

 

"I congratulate the Hegeler-Carus Mansion for this prestigious designation, and I join the citizens of LaSalle in expressing the pride we have in the heritage this building represents," said State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley).

 

For more information on the National Register of Historic Places program in Illinois, visit www.Illinois-History.gov/PS/historicplaces.htm.