Rockcliffe Mansion
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| Rockcliffe Mansion | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Location: | Hannibal, MO |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1898 |
| Architect: | Barnett,Haynes & Barnett |
| Architectural style(s): | Colonial Revival, Other |
| Added to NRHP: | September 18, 1980 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 80002378 [1] |
| Governing body: | Private |
Rockcliffe Mansion, a 13,500 sf mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits high on top a rocky knoll in Hannibal, Missouri. The 30 room estate was built between 1898 and 1900 solely to fulfill a man's dream. Scottish immigrant and lumber baron John J. Cruikshank wanted a house to richly display the finest woods and furnishings money could buy, yet one that would emanate warmth and a feeling of quiet dignity. His dream became a reality in the year 1900 and the family, consisting of his wife and four daughters, moved in, residing there until his death in 1924. At that time, the family vacated the house and it was boarded up for 43 years. Two weeks before the once lovely home was to be razed, leaving nothing but memories amid the rubble, it was saved by three local families and restored to the beauty of its historical past.
Inside, the families found, under the crust of years of soot and grime, gigantic rooms and halls with palladium windows and 10 carved marble and tile fireplaces. Rockcliffe, as the home became known, was built by a lumber baron, Mr. John J. Cruikshank, who had supplied as building materials only the finest quality walnut, oak and mahogany that could be found. With the double brick wall construction and the innovative designing by Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett of St. Louis, this particular home was far more solid after 75 years than most homes built today.
Today, Rockcliffe stands high about that knoll with majestic views of the Mississippi River, and is complete with original artifacts, paintings, furniture, clothing and personal artifacts of the family, all found throughout 9 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and thousands of beautiful square feet. An ongoing restoration project is slowly bringing back the already rejuvenated mansion to its very original state. Its current proprietor, Rick Rose a Wisconsin native who acquired the property as its third owner in 2005, has now opened its wide doors to guests who can enjoy its B&B rooms, a Bistro in the Cellar, a Cabaret with live entertainment, a gift shop, gallery, special events and classes as well as mystery lunches and dinners, fine music and Victorian teas. Guests can also host a wedding, private party, corporate retreat or family reunion. And most of all, Rockcliffe welcomes you to enjoy an amazing tour of its 30 magnificent rooms of wonder!
[edit] Notes
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
