Oct. 21--A Colonial-style Wheaton estate built in 1897 by golf pioneer Charles Blair Macdonald has come on the market for $1.98 million.
Known as Ballyshear, the five-bedroom, 6,020-square-foot mansion sits on a private, tree-lined lane immediately west of the Chicago Golf Club, which Macdonald founded and which is the oldest 18-hole golf course in the United States. Macdonald named the three-story home Ballyshear after his grandfather's Ballyshear manor and estate in Argyllshire, Scotland.
The Tribune reported in February 1897 that architect Jarvis Hunt designed the house, which anchored a colony of homes occupied by members of Chicago society, who congregated around the golf club between the 1890s and the 1910s. Many of the homes, including Ballyshear, were later converted to year-round use.
"Four huge pillars, with Corinthian capitals, edge a semi-circular platform to form the porch, the whole making the front entrance," House Beautiful magazine said about the house in May 1899. "This imposing porch is the most conspicuous feature of the exterior of the house, and gives it its character."
Macdonald and his wife, Frances, moved to New York in 1900 and rented out the house for several years until selling it in 1905. Since their ownership, Ballyshear has had seven owners over the past 110 years. Current owners Matt and Jessica Krauser bought the mansion in 2007.
"Matt had a childhood connection with Ballyshear, and when the opportunity presented itself to acquire the home in 2007, the Krausers jumped at it," said listing agent Mark Plunkett of Coldwell Banker. "Their vision was to restore the home with modern amenities to reflect its timeless grandeur. While steeped in rich history, it's truly a family home welcoming you in as a respite from life's hurried pace."
Now, with the Krausers planning a move to Telluride, Colo., near where Jessica Krauser grew up, they have listed the estate.
The house has four full baths, three half baths, two fireplaces, a library, hardwood floors and a theater room on the top floor that the Krausers added. Outside on the 1.77-acre property are a tennis court and an in-ground swimming pool.
Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
