CITY OF CAIRO PURCHASES HISTORIC MANSION, RIVERLORE, BUILT IN 1865

CAIRO, Ill. -- They still tell the story here of a young girl who wanted to become an actress.

This was during the Civil War, and when her parents built the family home some 134 years ago, a special theater was included in the plans so the young girl could put on her own plays.

The theater, on the house's third floor, included 18 theater seats, slanted walls, arched windows and a large chandelier with shades.

Capt. William Parker Halliday, Cairo businessman and riverboat pilot, built the mansion in 1865

Now known as Riverlore, Halliday's home has been bought by the City of Cairo. The city is the fifth owner of the 11-room mansion at 2723 Washington.

"The old mansion is in great condition," said Mayor James Wilson. "It has three levels and a a basement."

The property is surrounded by antique wrought-iron fence, gates and a brick wall. The gates are electronically controlled.

The grounds are landscaped with various shrubs and evergreens, and includes a 125-year-old gingko tree.

Wilson said Riverlore is not only the oldest mansion in town but "one of the most picturesque."

Outside walls of the mansion are 30 inches thick, with 12-inch inside partitions, and 12-foot ceilings. The first floor includes a parlor, family room, kitchen, sunroom, powder room and dining hall. The second floor includes three guest bedrooms, sitting room, master bedroom and master bath.

Along with the theater on the third floor is a sitting area, office and library. The theater includes a movie screen, projector and videocassette recorder.

The city is in the process of establishing a "Riverlore Society" to provide guidance for the mansion.

"We hope to include the mansion on the list of places to tour," said Wilson. "It cold be turned into a bed-and-breakfast."

Capaha and First National banks bought the city's bonds to purchase the mansion.

"Taxes will not go up as a result of the purchase, and the plan calls for Riverlore to be self-supported," Wilson said.

The mansion was purchased at less than half of its appraised value at $250,000 for the property. It was appraised at almost $700,000.

The hallway of the mansion was open to visitors at the Christmas Stroll Saturday, giving people a chance to get a glimpse of the new city property.

Riverlore is in an area once referred to as "Millionaire's Row" in Cairo. That included a three-block area (2600 through 2800 blocks) along the tree-lined Washington Boulevard.

The area was anchored by three large mansions:

N Riverlore, the oldest mansion.

N Magnolia Manor, a 14-room Italianate mansion built in 1869 at 2700 Washington.

N The Windham House, constructed in 1876 at 2606 Washington.

The mansions are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and two offer some access to the public.

Magnolia Manor, which once welcomed Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, offers public tours, and is operated by the Cairo Historical Association.

Windham, next door to Magnolia Manor, is also an Italianate mansion, authentically restored with period antiques. It is operated as a bed-and-breakfast.

"With three mansions like these, this area could become a big tourist attraction," said Wilson.

"We hope to have the property ready for tours in the spring of 2000," said Wilson.

At one time in history, the mansion was destined to become a Mississippi River Museum with state appropriations.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Grieve, offered to donate the mansion for the museum, but somewhere along the way the plans never materialized.

Mrs. Grieve was the former Adelaide Rendleman, daughter of the mansion's second owner, Dr. J.J. Rendleman, a Cairo doctor who purchased the house in 1901.

Mrs. Grieve, an actress on the New York stage, and her husband, who was associated with a New York music publishing house, lived in the home for a while, but later sold the mansion to Mr. and Mrs. William Wolter. Mrs. Wolter was owner of the property before selling it to the city.