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Historical society tours Logan
County founder’s home on Elkhart
Hill
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 [September
21, 2018]
Elkhart Hill is a historic
destination for several reasons. The
Hill itself is a relic of the ice
ages, and many of the well known
founders of Illinois and Logan
County built their homes on it. The
Logan County Genealogical and
Historical Society did a road trip
to Elkhart Hill for their monthly
meeting Monday evening to visit one
of the spectacular historic homes.
Bob and Lynne Neal welcomed their
visitors to the historic home that
was first built in 1837, and has
been their residence for the past
decade.
The home was built by John Latham as
a simple wood home. After living
there for several years, it was then
acquired in 1851 by John Dean
Gillett who named it Crohurst. The
home changed shape over the years,
being enlarged by Mr. Gillett and
then his youngest daughter Jessie
Gillett. The last owner before the
Bob and Lynne acquired it was John
Gehlbach.
“We had just spent several years
restoring and living in the Scully
mansion northwest of Lincoln. We had
not thought about a new project, but
when John called and offered it to
us, I guess we were ready for a new
adventure in home restoration,” said
Bob Neal. “The home had sat empty
for two years and was falling
apart,” said Bob. He and Lynne just
could not stand by and let it fall
down.
This house, and many others on
Elkhart Hill, were homes to several
of the renowned founders of Illinois
and Logan County. Some of them were
personal friends of Abraham Lincoln.
Many of the residents of the Hill
were related to one another, so it
seemed more like a neighborhood. It
also raised some competition among
residents for the showiest additions
to each house.
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At one time, there was an interurban
station at the entrance to the long
drive to the house. The electric
trains were used by the residents to
travel to Springfield and Peoria.
“I can’t imagine living anywhere
else. I just like being here with
the woods, flowers and wildlife. The
sunsets are always spectacular, and
I feel fortunate living here” said
Lynne Neal. The Neal’s kept in mind
an early 20th century vibe for the
house of when Jessie Gillett owned
it. The yellow stucco and old
kitchen appliances enhance the
feeling.
When asked about his bent for
restoration of historic homes, Bob
Neal paused a moment, and then said
that he had grown up in a large
older home. “They have always
appealed to me. I especially like
the history of the homes we have
restored,” he said.
The Logan County Genealogical and
Historical Society meet the third
Monday of each month at the research
facility at 114 North Chicago Street
in Lincoln at 6:30 p.m. They always
have an interesting speaker and the
public is invited to attend.
[Curtis Fox]
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