Jacob Haish history sits quietly in Rockton

Two lion statues, which once stood proudly at the Haish mansion in DeKalb, have resided at the Red Barn Golf Course for decades. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Some contents of the Haish mansion have been residing just an hour from their original home.

Chandeliers, woodwork, and even statues from the mansion can be found in Rockton, Ill.,  because of antique collector Walter Williamson, who was from Winnebago County.

Historian Steve Bigolin and I recently visited Rockton to see the items, and he told me the story he had dug up in the 1970s. Bigolin said shortly before the mansion's demolition, Williamson purchased scavenger's rights to the mansion for $1,200. In 1973, Williamson told Bigolin he recalled filling four trucks with various items. To this day, just some of those items can be found in a Chinese restaurant and on the grounds of a golf course in Rockton. The outcome of any other items is unknown.

Williamson had owned the Wagon Wheel Resort in Rockton, which consisted of a golf course, swimming pool, bowling alley, theater, and much more, and was open from 1936 until it closed in 1989. Williamson used some of the Haish items throughout the resort. Today, the China Palace Restaurant, which was formerly known as the Junior Wagon Wheel, and the Red Barn Golf Course, which was part of the resort, now have new owners but still feature the Haish memorabilia.

The golf course features the "two lions" that were seen for many years on the Haish lawn in DeKalb. Today, the two statues stand guard outside along the drive into the golf course, and although they are very weathered, you can still make out the phrase "patentee of barb wire," "Jacob Haish," and the bust of Jacob himself.

A lion statue that was once featured outside of the Haish mansion. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Another lion (some call it a bear) statue that was once Haish property | Photo by Jessi LaRue

One statue is inscribed with "Patentee of Barb Wire" | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Details of a statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Both statues along the drive into the Red Barn Golf Course in Rockton | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Historian Steve Bigolin poses for a portrait with the lion statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

One statue features "1884" and "Built by Jacob Haish" on top of a bust of Jacob | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The weathered bust of Haish sits at the base of a statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Details of a statue | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The statues were acquired by avid antique collector Walter Williamson shortly before the Haish mansion was razed. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

A short drive from the golf course is the China Palace Restaurant. Upon walking in you immediately see pieces from the mansion that have been repurposed and carefully woven into the decor of the restaurant. A staircase post and woodwork can quickly be picked out.

Woodwork that was featured in the Haish mansion can now be found in Rockton's China Palace Restaurant | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork from the Haish mansion | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Woodwork details | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The dining room area also features two chandeliers from the mansion, which Bigolin believes would be worth much more than the $1,200 Williamson originally paid to remove items from the mansion.

Chandeliers that once dazzled in the Haish mansion can now be found in the China Palace Restaurant in Rockton. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

A chandelier that first hung in the Haish mansion | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The chandeliers now hang in the dining room of the China Palace Restaurant | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The Red Barn Theatre, which at one point was part of the resort, also featured porch posts and trim from the Haish mansion, but is no longer standing.

Jacob Haish reflects on his donations

Jacob Haish | Photo courtesy of Joiner History Room

The article below was printed in the Dec. 5, 1885, edition of the Sycamore True Republican:

"That was a grandly liberal gift of yours --- that $50,000 to the Denver Orphan Asylum," --- we said to Mr. Haish of DeKalb.

"No, I don't know as it was. I have made more liberal gifts." 

"Ah! When?"

"Thirty years ago, when they were building the first church at DeKalb, I subscribed $30, and worked it out by day's work. That was more liberal than this. Then I gave what I hadn't got; now I give what I have, and can give it without troubling me. Why; how much did you ever give away at once?"

"Well, let's see; I gave $140 toward a church and lot."

"Ah, then, I venture to say you were three times as liberal as I was. I shall have to give again to be as liberal as some of my townspeople who give their tens and twenties. And I mean to do it. Wife and I have been thinking this long time that it is better to dispose of our property during our life-time while we can see some good of it than to wait for our successors to quarrel over it."

Perhaps we err in publishing this fragment of a private conversation, but there is something so noble about his unselfish view of the right use of his property that we could not refrain.

Thanks to the Joiner History Room for sharing this article.