A Private World
Without Horizon
Eighteen Acres,
Hand-Excavated
The 18-acre lake at Somerset Manor was not found — it was made. The builder excavated the land by hand, transforming flat Illinois terrain into a shimmering private water feature that anchors the entire estate. The earth removed from the excavation was not wasted: it was sculpted into a terraced hillside to the southeast of the manor, graded and prepared for a future vineyard.
Seven additional stocked ponds support over 15 species of fish. A 900-foot stream winds through the property. A 3.5-mile mowed trail follows the lakeside perimeter — ideal for morning walks, horseback riding, or simply contemplating the scale of what has been created here.
At night, illuminated stone columns rise from the lake's edge — architectural columns that were not used on the manor itself, repurposed as lakeside monuments, visible from the great room windows in a scene of quiet, unexpected grandeur.
A Living
Nature Preserve
The estate functions as a private nature preserve. Over 80,000 trees were planted on what were once bare cornfields, creating a mature forest that shelters deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and migratory birds throughout the year.
Each winter, up to 100 Trumpeter Swans return to the lake — a testament to the ecological richness that has been cultivated here over decades. The estate is not simply beautiful; it is alive.
2.75 Acres,
Ready to Plant
The terraced hillside southeast of the manor was created from the earth excavated during the lake's construction — a remarkable act of resourcefulness and vision. The 2.75-acre terrace is graded, south-facing, and prepared for viticulture. A private vineyard awaits the next owner's ambition.
The additional 42 A-1 acres offer the possibility of a second residence, equestrian facilities, or further development — subject to local zoning.
