Glenwood Manor

Then & Now

     Glenwood Manor (circa 1897), was originally the home of the Epping family of Berlin, Germany.  Henry Epping had learned the weaving trade from his father, but chose to be a farmer after immigrating to America.  At the time of its birth, the mansion was originally erected in the center of what is today the Edwardsville campus of Southern Illinois University.
     In the early 1940's, the Stubbs family purchased the property and hired contractor Harry Hanser to renovate the building by adding the fluted ionic columns.  This altered the mansion to the southern, Greek Revival style you see today.  It then became known locally as "the Pillar House."  The Stubbs' owned and operated the Dippold Brothers Grain Elevator in Edwardsville and raised Angus cattle.
     In the 1950's, ownership of the house and grounds went to the Freund family.   They operated a thriving business in the Soulard area of south St. Louis, the Freund Bakery.  The Freunds were well known for the fine horses they raised on the farm.  The home itself had always been recognized for its handsome Victorian decor and beautiful gardens.
     In the early 1960's the property was secured by the State of Illinois in order to begin work on the University.  It was considered briefly that the mansion be utilized for visiting dignitaries and speakers.  However, the architecture of the mansion clearly did not integrate with the plans for a modern 60's campus and so, sadly, it was slated for demolition.
     A gentleman by the name of George Janco dedicated himself to saving the historic home.  After disassembly, the building traveled, piece-by-piece, down historic route 66 and was reassembled at the present site.
     The next occupants were the Koberna family in 1995.  They renovated and re-named the mansion Glenwood Manor.  They opened it to the public and for six years operated it as a tearoom restaurant.
     The Nichols family became the caretakers of this historic landmark in April of 2001 when they relocated their award winning portrait studio, Nichols Photography, to Glenwood Manor.  In August of 2016, the main floor was renovated and re-purposed into an elegant event venue and Glenwood Manor Weddings and Events was born. Nichols Photography still resides at Glenwood Manor, with offices on the lower level, and makes their services available to Glenwood Manor Weddings and Events' clients. The Nichols family is honored to preserve both the building and its history into the new millennium.