This “Ultra Modern Farm Home” -(SJR headline from 1956)- was built for Norman E. Hulcher whom was Mayor of Virden at the time. This historical home was designed by the late architect John Benya. It features 4600 livable sqft with a 2500sqft garage/airplane hangar. Entire ceiling is constructed from cedar board (on end & steamed for flex) and beams which are in a rolled steel channel where they all meet like a wagon wheel in the homes center - which is under a plexiglass dome. Benya, student of Frank Lloyd Wright, was from Quincy Illinois where you’ll also see his work at Quincy’s Regional Airport (circular center surrounded by circular wings). He never built or designed the same thing twice.
I bought this Mid century modern masterpiece in 2017 and am in awe daily. We love it!

I just happened to come across this 'Vintage Aerial" of my family's home. My parents were Norman and Velma Hays Hulcher. I am the fifth of their six children. This home was my father's beautifully designed dream home after living many years in a large 2-story home on the corner of Blair and Loud St in Virden where he, my mom, five daughters and one son (the youngest), shared one full bathroom. He told the architect, Mr. Benya, to design a single story house with each bedroom having its own full bathroom. Being a very musical family, the large room between the circular living room and the guest quarters was our "music room" housing my mother's Steinway baby grand piano, organ, xylaphone, band instruments, where we sang together and practiced piano and band instruments. We moved into this wonderful home in the summer of 1955 when I was 9 years old. The cowboy bedroom was designed for my brother, Norm, a 2-year old at the time, although I claimed it first because of my passion for horses. At the time it was built, the garage wing housed parking for cars and my dad's airplane hangar, with a stall for my pony in the far corner of the hangar. My dad created an E/W landing strip on part of the field south of our home. That field, the property our home was built on, and the land from the railroad tracks to the highway (Route 4) was part of a large farm owned by my father. I hold fond memories of my life growing up in this home, then college and ultimately my marriage and our move to Arizona in the 1970s, following my parents. I would be happy to connect with the current owner to answer any questions they may have. I wish them a life full of treasured memories as blessed as mine.