The Castle - Part 2 Exterior Tour

Lexington, Illinois

(August 2007)

Lexington's Castle Open House      June 30, 2007

Join us here for a virtual tour of Chuck and Mary Wright's restored home, better known as the "Lexington's Castle" and a part of the former estate of the David Van Dolah family. (See our photo story by Mary Francis Leake in article of January 2006 for more historical information.)   The Wright family generously opened their entire property and entertained folks with  information, music, and fun for all ages on a beautiful Saturday in June.   This month we will share our photos of the outdoor activities and next month we will present the interior of the home in part 2 of our virtual tour.  We hope you enjoy this rare and intimate peek at our famous Lexington landmark.
The open house was held on June 30, 2007 to benefit the Old House Society and it drew a large crowd of interested viewers.
The Van Dolah's would have probably been very pleased with the musicians playing for the crowds from under the big shade trees on the front lawn,    But the former residents would also have been amazed by the number of automobiles that were parked on the estate grounds.
Grandson Clay Wright was busy directing traffic....
It was a delightful day for learning about a beautifully restored house that the owners have worked hard to RESTORE, not REDO.....
Many enjoyed exploring the colorful gardens and lawn around the castle...
	The Wrights have taken care to restore the gardens and surroundings in keeping with the style and historical significance of their special home.       It was a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors!
The tennis courts are part of the outdoor entertainment in the  back yard...
	The pool and pool house were added about 3 years ago...
The Wright's grandchildren enjoy the play area in the back yard and many little visitors did too!
West of the house are some new additions to the property....

The B & W Railroad (from brochure by Chuck and Mary Wright)

          Our railroad was "born" in 1999 when we purchased our small train, a G-12 manufactured in the 1930's by Miniature Train Company, from a junkyard in Towanda, Illinois.  We decided to name it the B & W in honor of several family members all of whom worked their entire adult lives on the Milwaukee Railroad.  Mary's grandfather, Spencer Baird, was a conductor on the Milwaukee.  Chuck's grandfather, August Weiland, was a section foreman and his uncle Elmer Weiland was an engineer.  Baird and Weiland, shortened to B & W, seemed appropriate.

          The larger train, the G-16, also manufactured by the Miniature Train Company in the 1950's was purchased several years ago at the urging of Chuck's brother, Dave Wright.  After sitting for more than 20 years in a leaky shed, it was in need of much loving care.  Troy Whitley, Dave's neighbor in Yankton, South Dakota, has restored it to pristine condition.  There is no manual for this kind of effort.  Each piece was a puzzle and a call for patience and much mechanical talent.  In the process, Troy has become a recognized expert on G-16 trains with several orders for restoration work and constant email questions from those working on trains.

          As best we can figure, there were less than 300 of the larger trains manufactured with about half of those surviving today, many in small amusement parks and of late private railroads like ours.  The track layout and train barn are creations of Chuck Wright, Jr. with countless hours moving gravel and dirt, cutting railroad ties, bending rail and designing the entire layout.  Chuck's employee, Bill Compton, was an invaluable resource for design and construction of the railroad.

          Future plans call for a link to the lower property and across the creek.  More than 5000 feet of rail is stockpiled behind the barn for this project.  The B & W is a work in process.

Wetlands and Prairie Grass Preserve

          In 2001 the Wrights entered into an agreement with the Nature Conservancy to form a 15 year Conservation Easement.  With the help of friends and neighbors we planted over 400 oak and pecan trees on the property.  Several acres of prairie grass were planted in 2002.  Prairie burns were done in 2005 and 2007. 

          The 16 acres that were converted to wetlands have seen a dramatic change from a cow pasture to a sanctuary for songbirds, woodchucks, great blue herons and many small water and field insects.   Visitors may enjoy the preserve by staying on mowed paths.

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