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This Queen Anne residence was built in 1895 by John Berry and probably stood alone on this block for eight to ten years. There were some homes across the street in those early days, but these were removed with the construction of Hayt School in 1905. This home shows the style of the 1890s and probably looked different than it does in 2008.

The original home was covered in narrow board siding and the upper level side gable was probably shingled. The dormer and the turret may have been shingled and used to have tin spires. The covered railing was an open railing. There is some speculation also about the front of the home. The porch has been rebuilt and the stone or cement bases to the pillars are probably a 20th century improvement. The style of the home suggests that it may have had a wrap-around porch extending to the east. The porch foundation does not stop at the façade of the home, but continues along the side to meet the brick foundation. There has been some speculation that the home was moved from across the street. However, the 1905 map of the block shows it in its current location.

From the street, one design feature is especially unique. The front porch steps do not lead up to the front door. The front door is to the left and the steps to the right. The pediment above the steps is decorative and original. The porch columns appear original and the baluster is a replacement which is in keeping with those of the interior staircase. Because there is a set of bay windows at the end of the porch, there is no large front window. Instead there is a high beveled glass window. The front doors, both exterior and interior, are oak with glass and are original.

When you enter the home, you are in a foyer which is large enough to accommodate hanging coats. Through a second door you enter the reception hall with beautiful woodwork that creates a special elegance for the visitor. Each doorway has its original moldings with crowns; the chandelier is also original. The main staircase includes three steps up to a landing with a railing. There is an unusual leaded glass window that allows light in the hallway. The oak newel posts and balusters are original as are the oak floors.

Opposite the reception hall is the front parlor with an angled entranceway. The room is long and somewhat narrow, so its focal point is the area of the bay windows. This room opens into what is called the family parlor. It has a fireplace on the interior wall and opposite it is a stained glass window with a classic design. The opening to the dining room once had pocket doors and you will see the oak framework.

The dining room has two large windows that face east. At the back of the room, a casement window was added to allow more air to flow into the house. From its design, with three small panes of glass over one, it seems that it may have been installed in the early 20th century. The entrance to the kitchen from the dining room was once a single ordinary door. The current owners widened the doorway when they remodeled the kitchen in 1999, to bring in more light and make it easier to move through the house.

The kitchen has been carefully planned to create more workspace and open space. A portion of the original back wall of the room remains by the back staircase. From that line to the back of the house, the space has been reconfigured so that the basement stairs are near a new back door, while a pantry now occupies the space where the inside door to the basement door once stood. The original back door is along the side of the house. The new back door replaces a narrow window facing the back. The current owners hired an architect to help them redesign this space.

Another element, added to the first floor in 1999, is the small powder room. When you look in you will see the three steps which once led to the doorway, although this was blocked off when the outside siding was installed many years ago. Opposite the powder room door is a small counter with a small sink – a kind of butler’s pantry that was added with the kitchen remodeling.

You may climb the stairs to the second floor and see the arrangement of the four bedrooms. The floors on the second floor are red fir. All the original doors are there with the five panel design. Some earlier remodeling that was done on the second floor is still visible. The bathroom was recently updated. You may go down the back stairs and then out to the lovely deck and beautiful garden.