13.The empty Hegeler Carus Mansion did not last long.
La Salle, Illinois is home to the Hegeler Carus Mansion. The 1800s home appears to be something out of a movie from the exterior. Edward C. Hegeler, a zinc producer and book publisher, was the mastermind behind its construction. He commissioned a well-known architect to design the house, and it is undoubtedly a work of art. Mary, Hegeler’s eldest daughter, was the one who inherited the zinc and publishing businesses from her father. Paul Carus was the man she eventually married. They had six children together, with the oldest staying in the house the longest. He died in 2004 at the age of 103.
Thankfully, the Hegeler Carus Mansion has a happy ending, and it wasn’t abandoned for long. Before it could become deteriorated, it was purchased and made into a museum, and the Hegeler Carus Foundation was founded. Even though the house appears to be haunted from the outside, several visitors claim that they were greeted with a bright, cheery atmosphere when they entered the abandoned house. Perhaps it is because of this pleasant vibe that this house could find a new owner, while other places with a darker history tend to remain vacant for longer. The house is now used for modest outdoor concerts, gatherings, and public celebrations of local history.
