After 120 years, Illinois family sells historic mansion and estate for fifth of asking price

It was owned by the same illustrious Illinois family since 1899. Now, after 120 years, the Sinnissippi Farm estate in western Illinois has a new owner.

Former Governor Frank Lowden and his wife, Florence, bought the 10,0000-plus-acre estate in Oregon, Illinois, bought the estate in the late 1890s as a country retreat. Florence was the daughter of Chicago rail car tycoon George Pullman. The estate, which now sits at 124 acres, was kept in the family until this year, when it sold to an undisclosed buyer in late April for $1.5 million, Crain’s reports.

The property boasts a 10,000-square-foot house, two rental houses, a swimming pool, poolhouse and a playhouse. The family has shed some of its private acreage, which now makes up a state park and a Boy Scouts camp, according to the report.

Lowden’s great-granddaughter and her husband first listed the estate for sale in 2014, with an asking price of $5 million. It came back on the market in spring 2018 with an ask of $1.5 million, the price at which it sold. Alison de Castro of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group told Crain’s the new owner intends to keep it as a private residence.

The Sinnissippi Farm estate is not the only luxury listing in Illinois that has had to take a haircut. After a banner year in 2018, luxury home sales have stalled dramatically in 2019 — and not even North Shore lakefront mansions have been spared. [Crain’s] – Joe Ward