The disappearing octagonal house

How unique! An octagonal house! How come it is disappearing? Has it been abandoned? Obviously, plants are taking possession of the house. I wonder what story is behind it. Greetings, Anne

I became excited when I spotted it, Anne, because it is very unusual! I couldn't tell whether it is still in use. I've now learned that its first owner was a Benjamin Cronsberry who emigrated from Ireland in 1848, married a girl from near here, and had this house built in 1888. Many houses from around that time use this variegated brick in various patterns, but I'd never before seen an octagonal brick house. Greetings, Marilyn

WOW!

Marilyn, this house is completely intriguing! What a great find, and I'm so happy to hear that you found some history on it as well.

Dear goodness, wouldn't you love to take a look inside?

1888? It doesn't even look that old. I wonder if it is indeed abandoned? Who could leave such a charming place to rot all alone?

I believe that you should go back for some further explorations.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderfully unique find with me, and bringing it to my attention tonight.

It is bumping 2:00AM here, so I must head on to the bed so I will be worth something come morning.

Happy 4th of July to you, though I understand that you already celebrated it in the beginning of the week.

Best regards from GA,

Mary Alice

Well, if you have annoying kids and you want to have them stand in the corner of the room... You might need a house like this if you have many kids... :)

Unique find Marilyn... Cheers, Andre

Thanks, Mary Alice, for accepting my invitation. I thought you'd be intrigued. If we hadn't left the main road looking for a place to eat our picnic lunch, we'd never have seen it!

It's a long way from our home--we were on our way to meet our grandson and his parents for a few days at a resort--so I don't suppose I'll get back to learn more, but I'd love to. You'd also have liked the horses that were pastured just beyond the buildings to the north of this. If it hadn't been for being in a hurry to see our grandson, I might have taken pictures of them, too--but I'm sure the photos wouldn't have been up to the high standard you set!!

Andre, I like that thought!

Cheers, Marilyn

Marilyn,

I would love to have seen the beautiful horses, and I'm sorry that you didn't get a chance to photograph them. I think it is sweet that you thought of me when you saw them though, and I know that if you did capture them, the photos would have been amazing, I appreciate you saying such kind things about my horse shots, but you seem to forget that YOU are the master of this show. I look up to YOU, for you set the standard long before I got here. I have been admiring your work since I first came on to Panoramio, and still think that you are one of the most gifted photographers on here. You have my constant respect and admiration.

Warmest regards always,

Mary Alice

Mary Alice, you made me blush last night! Thank you for your very kind words. I'd protest, but I'm starting to index a book for a friend. It's a truly dreadful job, but I've indexed three books before, and I know I can do it, and there's no money to pay a professional indexer ... So for the next week or more I can use all the irrelevant encouragement I can get! I'll worry later about whether it's inappropriate. ;)

I hope you're having a pleasant week.

Best wishes, Marilyn

GREEN FOR EVER!!!!!!!!!!!VERY NICE PHOTO!!!!!!!

I am sorry I missed your comment, evangello. Thanks for visiting!

This must have been quite a surprise! I knew about the octagon house before I saw it in Wisconsin, but this would be quite an unexpected delight to come upon this unexpectedly! And from the map it looks like it is a really scenic area too. Great shot!

It was a real surprise and delight! I'm sorry we didn't have more time to explore the area. Someday ...

Now as for Wisconsin's octagon buildings, when I was trying to find out about this octagon barn, I happened upon a website that listed octagon buildings of Wisconsin, both present and no longer standing. I didn't save the web address though I imagine it would be fairly easy to find. Wouldn't it be fun to plan a trip using a list like that??

Some additional local historical info regarding the farm house which looks to be in better condition today then when you took your pictures: Benjamin Cronsberry emigrated from Limerick, Ireland, in 1848. He took up farm land (Lot 15, Concession 7) at the south-west base of Duclos Point. He married Matilda Jackson, a member of the prominent family after which Jackson’s Point was named, and they lived in one of Ontario’s few octagonal farmhouses. Eric Cronsberry, a direct descendant of Benjamin, inherited this farm from his father. He sold it in the 1980’s, but relatives still reside in the area.

Thanks so much for the additional information. Very interesting! I do hope it's being well cared for.

A nice find. I connected to this picture after seeing Jesse D.'s house (which is occupied). Very unique! Best regards from Indiana, LKistler

64 were built in Canada and almost 1000 have been documented as built in the US. Over 400 still stand. Ive been researching them for several decades and finally compiled them all into a book The octagon house inventorry.

Ellen http://berniepuer.ipower.com/octagonbook/index.html

Belated thanks for commenting, LKistler.

And thank you, Ellen, for your comment and the link. Your book on octagon houses looks very interesting, and I've saved the link.

Greetings from Canada, Marilyn

Newsflash! I was at the house in June 2011, and it was being remodelled by new owners. We have fond memories of the Cronsberry farm. Our annual summer vacation to the cottage at McRae's beach always ended with a huge cornroast with corn picked fresh from Cronsberry's! The house was as wonderful as the owners back then, who remembered us by name each summer! (1952-68)

atthecottage, thanks so much for the update. That's very welcome news, and I'm so glad you shared it. And Maria A, I'm sure you are happy to learn this too.