Jacob Haish sites (DeKalb and beyond)

Below is a list of Jacob Haish sites in DeKalb and beyond, taken from a presentation I gave at Glidden Homestead in Sept. 2019. These are just a few examples of Jacob Haish history that are still present today.

DeKalb Public Library (Haish Memorial Library) and Jacob Haish historical marker
309 Oak St., DeKalb

The Haish Memorial Library, now known as the DeKalb Public Library, was built because of a $150,000 donation from Jacob Haish in his will, when he died in 1926. The library was dedicated in 1931, and the original building still features the Haish name on the outside of the building, as well as a dedication inside. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

In 2017 a historical marker was dedicated to Haish, which was fitting because there is no museum or other location dedicated in his honor. The marker was placed by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association to tell Haish's story to passerby. The marker's text was written by Haish relative Jeff Marshall, and mentions Haish's "inventive genius" and "eccentric personality." It also notes Haish's contributions to farming equipment creations, Northern Illinois University, and other DeKalb buildings.

http://dkpl.org/about-the-library/ 

Former location of Haish mansion
Corner of Third and Pine streets, DeKalb

The Haish mansion was located on the corner of Third and Pine streets in DeKalb, and was three stories tall. Haish, a carpenter, chose to model his home after memories of castles from his homeland of Germany. He left the house to his housekeeper, Anna Anderson, in his will. 

There was no plan for the mansion after her death, however, so the home had to be sold to pay for other projects Haish mentioned in his will. The neighboring First Lutheran Church purchased the home and used it for years as a parsonage and school. However, the house would need costly repairs, which the church couldn't afford. When there were no interested buyers, the church decided to demolish the mansion for a parking lot in 1961, and it still remains that way today.

http://www.jacobhaishstory.com/2018/02/photos-jacob-haish-mansion.html

Carriage house
Next to the parking lot on corner of Third and Pine streets, DeKalb

The neighboring carriage house is the only remaining part of the Haish mansion. Today it is still in use as apartment complexes.

Haish portrait
Founders Memorial Library, 217 Normal Road, DeKalb

Founders Memorial Library on the NIU campus is now home to a Jacob Haish portrait, but it took many years for it to get there. The portrait was originally located in the Haish mansion, and it could be seen when you first opened the front door. The portrait remained there until the house was about to be demolished in 1961. It has been said the members of the local Masonic lodge (which Haish had been a member of) snuck into the home shortly before demolition and took it. It remained in the DeKalb lodge until 2018, when it was placed in the Founders Library, along with images of other NIU/DeKalb founders Joseph Glidden and Isaac Ellwood. It can now be viewed in the library during open hours. It does have a large tear, and NIU is looking for monetary donations to fund the reported $22,000 worth of repairs needed.

http://www.jacobhaishstory.com/2018/10/jacob-haish-portrait-finds-new-home.html 

Haish Gymnasium
303 S. Ninth St., DeKalb

Haish Elementary School was opened in the 300 block of South 9th Street in DeKalb in 1903. It would be torn down in 1975, but the Haish gymnasium, which was part of the school, still remains. Today it functions as a fitness center and is owned by the DeKalb Park District.

https://www.dekalbparkdistrict.com/haish-gym 

Jacob & Sophia Haish burial monument (Fairview Cemetery)
509 N. First St., DeKalb

Sophia died in 1918, and Jacob died in 1926, just 18 days short of his 100th birthday. Sophia and Jacob were buried in the Fairview Memorial Cemetery on the south side of DeKalb. Jacob had the design of his monument copyrighted, which you can see on the monument itself. The monument features an urn design with an inscription, which describes Jacob’s life as distinguished for his contributions to the barbed wire industry, and “the history of wire fencing would be incomplete without the record of his achievements in that field.”

The burial monument is in the very back of the cemetery, as Jacob was under the impression that the new cemetery would be built from that direction, and that his monument would be featured at the front. That was changed later, and his monument is now located in the rear of the cemetery lot, near the pet cemetery. 

http://www.jacobhaishstory.com/2017/09/haish-monument-at-fairview-cemetery.html

Furniture from Haish Mansion (Ellwood House Visitors' Center)

509 N. First Street, DeKalb 

The Ellwood House Visitors’ Center is home to a display of furniture that once resided in the Haish mansion. Many of the items from the mansion were purchased in an auction after Jacob’s death. Paul Nehring purchased quite a bit of the furniture, and his wife Shirley Hamilton Nehring, used it in their home, which is on the museum grounds. After that home was donated to the museum in 2011, the furniture was sold to the Ellwood House so that it could be on display. These items can be viewed during the Visitors Center hours.

http://www.jacobhaishstory.com/2016/05/jacob-haish-furniture-exhibit-at.html

Statues from the Haish mansion (Red Barn Golf Course)
12379 Wagon Wheel Road, Rockton, IL

Antique collector Walter Williamson owned the Wagon Wheel Resort in Rockton. He purchased scavenger's rights to the Haish mansion before its demolition in 1961, and filled multiple trucks with decor and fixtures from the house. These two statues are now on display at the golf course in Rockton. They once stood proudly outside of the Haish mansion door.

http://www.jacobhaishstory.com/2016/11/jacob-haish-history-sits-quietly-in.html 

Chandeliers and woodwork from the Haish mansion (China Palace Restaurant)
625 S. Blackhawk Boulevard, Rockton, IL

More Walter Wiliamson items are on display at the China Palace Restaurant, including woodwork and chandeliers. All of these items must be worth well more than the $1,200 Williamson spent for his scavenger's rights.



Looking for more information on Jacob Haish sites?
DeKalb County History Center/Joiner History Room
NIU Regional History Center
DeKalb Public Library
Historian Steve Bigolin

Jacob Haish history sits quietly in Rockton

Two lion statues, which once stood proudly at the Haish mansion in DeKalb, have resided at the Red Barn Golf Course for decades. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Some contents of the Haish mansion have been residing just an hour from their original home.

Chandeliers, woodwork, and even statues from the mansion can be found in Rockton, Ill.,  because of antique collector Walter Williamson, who was from Winnebago County.

Historian Steve Bigolin and I recently visited Rockton to see the items, and he told me the story he had dug up in the 1970s. Bigolin said shortly before the mansion's demolition, Williamson purchased scavenger's rights to the mansion for $1,200. In 1973, Williamson told Bigolin he recalled filling four trucks with various items. To this day, just some of those items can be found in a Chinese restaurant and on the grounds of a golf course in Rockton. The outcome of any other items is unknown.

Williamson had owned the Wagon Wheel Resort in Rockton, which consisted of a golf course, swimming pool, bowling alley, theater, and much more, and was open from 1936 until it closed in 1989. Williamson used some of the Haish items throughout the resort. Today, the China Palace Restaurant, which was formerly known as the Junior Wagon Wheel, and the Red Barn Golf Course, which was part of the resort, now have new owners but still feature the Haish memorabilia.

The golf course features the "two lions" that were seen for many years on the Haish lawn in DeKalb. Today, the two statues stand guard outside along the drive into the golf course, and although they are very weathered, you can still make out the phrase "patentee of barb wire," "Jacob Haish," and the bust of Jacob himself.

A lion statue that was once featured outside of the Haish mansion. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Another lion (some call it a bear) statue that was once Haish property | Photo by Jessi LaRue

One statue is inscribed with "Patentee of Barb Wire" | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Details of a statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Both statues along the drive into the Red Barn Golf Course in Rockton | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Historian Steve Bigolin poses for a portrait with the lion statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

One statue features "1884" and "Built by Jacob Haish" on top of a bust of Jacob | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The weathered bust of Haish sits at the base of a statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Details of a statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The statues were acquired by avid antique collector Walter Williamson shortly before the Haish mansion was razed. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

A short drive from the golf course is the China Palace Restaurant. Upon walking in you immediately see pieces from the mansion that have been repurposed and carefully woven into the decor of the restaurant. A staircase post and woodwork can quickly be picked out.

Woodwork that was featured in the Haish mansion can now be found in Rockton's China Palace Restaurant | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork from the Haish mansion | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The dining room area also features two chandeliers from the mansion, which Bigolin believes would be worth much more than the $1,200 Williamson originally paid to remove items from the mansion.

Chandeliers that once dazzled in the Haish mansion can now be found in the China Palace Restaurant in Rockton. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

A chandelier that first hung in the Haish mansion | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The chandeliers now hang in the dining room of the China Palace Restaurant | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The Red Barn Theatre, which at one point was part of the resort, also featured porch posts and trim from the Haish mansion, but is no longer standing.