Author Rudyard Kipling had this classy two-story shingle-style house (named for a pavilion he saw on a trip to Pakistan) built in 1893, and lived there while he wrote several of his best-known works including “The Jungle Books.” Though Kipling didn’t spend many years in the house, they were undoubtedly fruitful years.
Certainly, the seclusion and positioning of the house made it possible for Kipling to focus and dedicate himself to his work. Set on a hillside with killer views, today it’s available to rent. Visitors can pay a modest amount to stay in this historical house and separate themselves from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Washington, D.C. - The White House
The American president's house was actually designed by an Irish architect and looks a whole lot like several of his other buildings. Construction of the White House began in 1792 during the Washington Administration. However, the building was only completed in 1800. So, while Washington oversaw the construction, he never actually lived there. The first president to live there was John Adams and his wife, Abigail.
Curious about what other weird stuff you don't know about the White House? Each week the White House receives up to 30,000 visitors and 65,000 letters, plus nearly 3,500 phone calls, 100,000 emails, and 1,000 faxes, presumably sent from a time when people still used them.
Indiana - John E. Christian House
Another gem of Frankl Lloyd Wright, this home is sometimes ascribed to as the John E. Christian House and was built for a couple who were employed at Purdue University; they weren't as well-to-do as many of his other clients but worked out a special payment plan to get their dream home built.
It's filled with exceptionally colorful decor and remains a shining example of Wright's Usonian style. The plans were all overseen by Wright's wife, Olgivanna. Visitors today are able to tour the grounds and bask in the natural glory of the house. Tours are readily available, and the house's story is shared with the public.
Kansas - John Brown Cabin & Museum
The Adairs' cabin was a typical rough, frontier log shelter, with a fireplace used for warmth and cooking. The Kansas Historical Society operates the site, including the log cabin of Reverend Samuel Adair and his wife, Florella, the half-sister of the abolitionist John Brown.
While his half-sister owned the cabin, John Brown called this Kansas cabin home for 20 months while he was in the region conducting some of his most important anti-slavery actions leading up to his infamous raid on Harper's Ferry. Visitors today can see historical mementos of Brown's life, including his desk, and weapons that he intended to provide to slaves.
Louisiana - Lalaurie Mansion
This three-story mansion was home to NoLa socialite-serial killer Delphine LeLaurie - depicted by Kathy Bates in the third season of "American Horror Story." While the site is a common stop on ghost tours, many people have criticized the media's glorification of the gross misconduct that occurred in the building.
The house was badly damaged in an 1834 fire intentionally set by her cook but has since been rehabbed and served as everything from a furniture store to a public high school. In 2007, Hollywood star Nicolas Cage bought it, but he lost it in foreclosure just two years later.