Feature Article on Bonnyconnellan
Castle. Topic: DOWNTOWN/BUILDINGS
Written by Rich Wallace in
February, 2000 (Photos by Tom Homan)
BONNYCONNELLAN CASTLE INTERIOR STRIPPED AND SOLD |
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| Even in our current fast-paced,
ever-changing, throw-away society we have learned to appreciate and honor the meaningful
symbols of our past. The renovation of the Monumental Building and the
loving caretaking of the GreatStone Castle
by Frederick and Victoria Keller are examples. It is an accepted community responsibility
to honor the legacy our ancestors created by preserving, where possible, these monuments
of our past. Bonnyconnellan Castle has occupied a dominating position, both physically and historically, in Sidney for the past 113 years. The Castle. No other words are needed to identify Sidney's first great residence. The massive Bedford limestone towers of the castle rise sharply above one climbing the forty hand-cut stone steps to the Walnut Street entrance. The thousands of people who made that walk and opened the front door, marveling at the richly appointed hand-carved wooden interior would now gasp at the carnage that lies beyond the great front door. The great lady has been systematically destroyed. It was a symbol of the best that America had to offer when it was built in 1886. John Loughlin had arrived in Sidney eight years earlier. Loughlin was a first generation American and the son of Irish parents. He started the Sidney School Furniture Company two years later and personally experienced the American dream. His company rapidly grew, becoming one of the largest makers of school desks in the country. With his success came wealth. Local legend has it that the Castle was patterned after another castle in his homeland of Cork County, Ireland. It cost the enormous sum of $10,000 to build in 1886. Mr. Loughlin carefully chose the finest cherry, walnut, mahogany, oak, and Birdseye maple woods for the interior and had them hand crafted by European woodworkers. Local residents must have been filled with wonderment when they first viewed the majesty of the interior. The majesty has turned to devastation and the wonderment to anger. A carefully planned pillaging has gutted the Castle. The massive, solid cherry main staircase is gone, leaving only a gaping hole and barren plaster. Doors and their frames, window sills and frames, fireplace mantles, mirrors, and any wooden items of marginal value have disappeared. |
The thousands of people who ... opened the front door, marveling at the richly appointed hand-carved wooden interior would now gasp at the carnage that lies beyond the great front door. The great lady has been systematically destroyed. |
Only cold plaster walls remain. The richly appointed wooden panels of oak and walnut have been cut away and sold. The impressive wooden ceiling beams are gone. [Back] [Next] [Up] [New Search] |
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