Old Frailey Mansion burned … if only walls could talk

Chevas Walker, Cave In Rock, took the above photo of the Frailey Mansion several years ago.

 

 

Chad and Renee Mills, Cave In Rock, captured (the above and following) photos of the Old Frailey Mansion after hearing reports it was on fire on March 27, 2025.

By Jennifer Lane
Editor

What wood was left in the uninhabited structure of the “Old Frailey Mansion” burned on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
This place, that was once called home to many, was located on Bend of the River Road in the River Bottoms of Cave In Rock, Illinois. The brick beauty was an eye catcher for those passing by.
Through the years, trespassers stopped by to explore what was left of the brick mansion and appreciate its beautiful architecture. They probably took a moment to imagine what it was like through the years as it was occupied by families.
It was often a place where teenagers would go to be spooked, where amateur and professional photographers captured its beauty, and where high schoolers stopped for the perfect location to take their senior or prom pictures. What a great place many had the privilege of exploring.
“That house was a big part of my life as I was growing up,” said Mary Ellen Denton. “I would drive up through the ‘bottoms’ so I could just think about the great life I had at that place. There were many special memories.”
Mary Ellen Denton shared some facts with the INDEPENDENT about the mansion.
Her step dad, James Richard Campbell Frailey, was born in 1898. His father, Daniel Frailey, and family built that house in the 1880s. His mother’s name was Martha Francis Campbell Frailey. Mary Ellen said it has always been known as the Old Brick House, but to others the Old Frailey Mansion. She said several families and friends have lived there, including her family.
Mary Ellen said it was a two story brick house with eight rooms and two wide halls ways on each floor. The hallways were wide enough that a team and wagon could fit in there. The entire walls were three bricks thick. Each room had its own way of heating in the cold months.
“Believe me they certainly needed that because three bricks thick had no heat in them,” said Mary Ellen. “You dressed like you were going outside to go from one room to another one.”
During the 1937 flood, the water was about two-thirds of the way up on the bottom floor. The family lived on the upper floor.
She said there was a government marker on the house showing how high the water was until someone decided to steal it.
Daniel and Martha ran a general store and mill across the road from the home.
“That house has had a very interesting history, but the haunted idea is just an idea,” said Mary Ellen.
For those who plan to tour the home, she said there are things to watch out for. Under one of the hallways downstairs there is an open cistern.
The property is privately owned. The Frailey family lived in it until 1943. Mary Ellen said Mother Frailey died that year.
Mary Ellen lived in the Frailey Mansion for a few years when she was young. That is how she knows how cold it was. Sonny Showalters’ family, her family, and Bobby Gene Frailey’s family lived in the Frailey Mansion through the years. After that, James R.C. Frailey kept a watchful eye on it until he got to where he was not able.
Mary Ellen said it was left empty for several reasons. It was a very cold place to live in the winter and the risen backwater shut those living there off from the rest of the county several times. She said it was quite a walk to get around the backwater.
After the parents passed away the property was divided between the sons and a daughter. The daughter lived in Medina, Ohio. She got the house and land around it and the acres in the River Bottoms. She passed away in 1968.

Mary Ellen said some people might get the Herrin House confused with the Frailey Mansion. They are not the same home. She said the Herrin House sat about 450 feet north of the Frailey Mansion. The Fraileys and Herrins were adjoining property owners. The Herrin House burned in the 1950s and they rebuilt a one-story house that is still there. Mr. Herrin died because he inhaled too much smoke from the fire. They brought him to Cave In Rock to Dr. Seba Oxford’s office but he was already gone.
As for what or who caused the fire in the Frailey Mansion a few weeks ago, that has yet to be determined. Cave In Rock Fire Chief Calvin Winters said it was likely arson. He said a passerby called in the blaze, reporting there was a small fire inside the house on the first flight of wooden steps. The Cave In Rock Fire Department responded and was able to put out the blaze which had quickly spread to the wooden structure. Chief Winters said his department had to return the next morning because several trees had caught fire around the home, too.
Chief Winters said that people should stay away from the property due to safety and the fact that they are truly trespassing on private land. He said there are several large holes in the ground around the home and the brick structure is crumbling.
Chief Winters said he is unaware of any further investigations with this incident.

 

Published in the April 10, 2025 Hardin County Independent.

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The following pictures by Chad and Renee Mills were in the following days after the fire was extinguished.

 

Cheyenne Anderson took the following photos the evening of the fire.