| Villa Kathrine | |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
 Villa Kathrine exterior in 2020 | |
  Show map of Illinois Show map of the United States | |
| Location |  Quincy, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°55′33″N 91°24′46″W / 39.92583°N 91.41278°W / 39.92583; -91.41278 |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | George Behrensmeyer |
| Architectural style | Moroccan Islamic |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001110 |
| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1978 |
The Villa Kathrine is a Moroccan-style home located on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois. This home is the subject of a local lost treasure story as well as a ghostlore story featuring a dog.
History
The unique home, sometimes branded as a castle, was built in 1900 by architect George Behrensmeyer for wealthy Quincy native W. George Metz. Metz had a fondness for Mediterranean architecture, and used the Villa Kathrine as his home when he was not venturing the world. Metz eventually sold the castle in 1912, and the site fell into disrepair and neglect before the non-profit Friends of the Castle sought to restore the Villa in 1978. Work on restoring the castle was completed in 1998, and appropriate site furnishings have been donated and obtained by staff throughout the years to further enhance the castle's Moroccan roots. Currently, the site functions as the official tourist information center to the City of Quincy and tours are granted of the site on an appointment basis.
Inside, the castle features a harem, a courtyard, and a reflecting pool. Much of the designs for the interior and exterior of the building were based upon W. George Metz's sketches of Islamic architecture that he observed during his global travels.
In 2010, the Villa Kathrine was used as a filming location in the Struber Productions film, Fang, which has yet to be released.
References
- "Quincy, il | see the unexpected". Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- Group, Sinclair Broadcast (2010-06-08). "QCVB calls for extras to appear in film". KHQA. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
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External links
- Official website
- Quincy, Illinois Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- PBS Clip on the Villa Kathrine
- Illinois Adventure: Villa Kathrine
- Houses completed in 1900
- National Register of Historic Places in Adams County, Illinois
- Architecture museums in the United States
- Buildings and structures in Quincy, Illinois
- Moorish Revival architecture in Illinois
- Historic house museums in Illinois
- Houses in Adams County, Illinois
- Museums in Adams County, Illinois
- Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois
- Tourist attractions in Quincy, Illinois