Photographed in this tiny Illinois community around the turn-of-the-century after a bit of snowfall, this majestic Victorian home stood in front of a telephone or electric distribution pole seen on right. One wonders if this homestead was served by electricity or telephone service at that time. No wires to the dwelling are in view.

Boy...life must have been a lot simpler back then! FYI...in smaller towns at least here in New England residential lighting circuits/service was available on cloudy days until around 1900-05. Otherwise service was available during the wakening and late afternoon hours with street lighting on the "moonlight" schedule, depending on the community. The latter was defined as illuminating roadways until 1 AM...and totally OFF during applicable nights just before, during and right after the full moon if the skies were clear.