5/2 c.1891 Illinois Queen Anne on 1.29 Acre Under $50K – The Scott Green Mansion

$49,900

Step inside a piece of history and envision its next grand chapter! Once a showstopping Illinois Queen Anne brimming with timeless elegance, this stately 5-bedroom, 2-bath treasure awaits a visionary owner ready to restore its former splendor. Rich natural woodwork and a remarkable eight gas fireplaces showcase the authentic period craftsmanship and character woven into every room.

Realtor Comments

Nestled on approximately 1.2 acres, the property also includes a guest house, adding even more potential. There’s no denying this home was truly magnificent in its day! While it is in need of extensive repairs and restoration, the possibilities are endless for someone willing to take on the challenge. Bring your imagination, creativity and renovation skills to restore this Victorian beauty to the showplace it once was! All personal property will not be removed. Property is being sold strictly AS-IS.

• 5bd
• 2ba
• 3,144sqft
• 1.29 acres
• Circa 1891

More Illinois Properties

305 N Ewing St, Tallula, IL 62688 $49,900

If interested in a property, pleases contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended. 

-Contact Realtor: Jami Winchester

-Google Maps 

-Niche

Pros of Living in Tallula

• Exceptionally Affordable Housing: Median home values sit around $94,500–$101,000—less than half the Illinois state average and roughly a quarter of the national median. Homeownership is very high (around 87%), making it accessible for budget-conscious buyers.

   

• Proximity to Springfield: Unlike isolated farm towns, Tallula offers a manageable ~25 to 30-minute drive into Springfield. Residents get small-town quiet while keeping access to major healthcare systems, state government jobs, big-box retail, and regional airports.

• Quiet, Low-Traffic Lifestyle: Spanning just half a square mile, the village has virtually no local traffic, low noise levels, and a slow, neighborly pace.

• Nearby Historic & Outdoor Sites: Situated in the heart of “Lincoln Country,” it is minutes from Petersburg and Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, offering wooded trails, picnic areas, and Sangamon River recreation nearby.

Cons of Living in Tallula

• Minimal Local Amenities: With fewer than 500 residents, Tallula has almost no commercial infrastructure.Grocery runs, dining out, pharmacies, and entertainment require driving to Petersburg, Ashland, Jacksonville, or Springfield.

• Car Dependency: Public transit does not exist here; virtually every errand or commute requires a personal vehicle.

   

• Few Local Jobs & Shrinking Population: Employment options within village limits are scarce, with most workers commuting out of town or working remotely. Like many rural Illinois communities, the population has experienced a gradual long-term decline.

   

• Illinois Property Taxes & Four-Season Weather: While purchase prices are low, Illinois’s relatively high property tax rates still factor into monthly payments. Winters also bring freezing temperatures, wind across open farmland,and snow/ice on rural two-lane roads.

Family History

The Scott Greene Mansion, an impressive Queen Anne Victorian residence, was constructed in 1891 at a cost of $70,000 for Scott Greene (1845-1933), whose father, William Greene, was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln. William “Bill” Greene, in fact, was credited by Lincoln himself for teaching him grammar.

Scott Green was a stock raiser and farmer. He lived in this home with his wife, Sarah, and son, Jonas for more than four decades. Scott was also grand uncle to the actress, Mary Brian, who visited him at the home in 1932. Mary was dubbed, “The Sweetest Girl in Pictures” and starred with Gary Cooper in the 1929 film, The Virginian.”

*

In 2002, Chris Bollinger and Peggy Raabe saw the house in a magazine and purchased it. They put more than $50,000 into renovations, including $10,000 for an outdoor wood-burning stove. After they became empty nesters in 2011, they put the house up for auction. At that time, the 14-room, eight-fireplace mansion was appraised at $230,000.  The top bid at auction, however,  was only $100,000, so the home did not meet the reserve, and the Bollinger/Raabe family were stuck with it.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*