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This unique home on Highland gives evidence of the influence of an earlier home design. On the façade, notice the massing of two elements – the two story bay and the entrance tower with flat top. This geometry is influenced by the Eastlake style, which was popular in the United States prior to 1890. In the restoration of this home, an effort was made to replicate the entrance porch, since it had been missing for some years. The home was permitted in 1895 to the wife of the subdivider, Mrs. R.B. Farson. Apparently, it was not built at that time. On May 22, 1897, a new permit was issued and this home was built.

The original building was covered in narrow board siding, which the current siding replicates. What is unknown, because it had long been removed, is what the original design of the brackets near the front facing pediment looked like. From the 1930s to the 1980s, this home was covered in what was sometimes called “Depression Brick,” an asphalt siding that protected the original wood to some degree. Also note the front bay window, which is presented as three separate windows on the first floor. More recent windows of this type were created in one opening in the wall with window framing as a single unit. This older style bay was much more expensive to create and is not seen as often.

Inside the home, the front reception area includes the original staircase and original newel post. The oak floors are a replacement for the original floors, which may have been oak or maple. Access to the rest of the home is through the dining room arch. This design was not typical of the Eastlake style and was probably added later. From the dining room there is an arch to the living room. The owners speculate that there may have been a direct entrance from the front hall to the living room that was removed in the remodeling. Though the moldings surrounding the windows have been replace, the sills are original.

The kitchen has been transformed into a modern kitchen. The cabinets are wood. The center island was added by the current owners. Off the kitchen is a small room that serves as an office. It may have been a walk-in pantry or possibly a maid’s room. The back of the home has had a small addition to accommodate storage and a typical mud room. The back door opens on to a deck and the beautiful garden full of sunlight.

Back in the front hallway, there is a bathroom and a staircase to the finished basement. The stairway is quite narrow and not recommended for climbing. The staircase to the second floor opens into a gracious hallway. There are three full bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor. The bathroom has been updated. Off one of the bedrooms in the rear is a balcony opening to the back yard. Also off the hallway is a space under the roof of the house that is too small for a bedroom. It is a perfect space for an office. There is a door here that leads to the staircase to the third floor, which is a finished room that has another balcony facing the rear garden. This home is much larger on the inside that it appears and it offers many interesting spaces in addition to the standard rooms.

You will exit though the kitchen and into the garden.