Lebold Mansion, Second Empire mansion in Abilene, United States.
The Lebold Mansion is a residence built from native Kansas limestone with two and a half stories, featuring Second Empire architectural elements mixed with vernacular details. The 1881 structure incorporates an earlier stone dugout dwelling within its tower section.
Banker Conrad Lebold built the mansion in 1881 and integrated the original stone dugout of Abilene's founders from 1857 into the new design. This approach preserved an early settlement structure while creating a prominent new building for the community.
The mansion once housed telephone operators during the 1920s and later became an orphanage, showing how the building adapted to meet changing community needs over time.
The mansion is located downtown and welcomes visitors through guided tours conducted on-site. Street parking is available nearby, making it easy for people to visit and explore the interior.
The basement preserves the original stone dugout home of Abilene's founders Tim and Eliza Hersey from the 1850s and remains accessible for visitors to see. This unusual feature lets people step directly into the early shelter that marked the town's beginning.
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