6254

Built in 1901 by Edmond Raymond, a masonry contractor, for his family, it followed Raymond’s construction of the home next door at 6250 in 1897. Construction cost was estimated at $6,000. The central entrance and grand front porch dominate the façade. The balustrade on the front porch is painted white, adding to the strong image of the building. At the top of the building, the flat roof once held an iron balustrade.

As you enter the home through the oak and glass front door, you are welcomed into a gracious front hall, which has been opened into the living room. The hall reception room is a showcase for many of the home’s beautiful features. The fireplace is brick with an oak mantel that has carved brackets and egg and dart moldings. Along the staircase wall are beautiful oak panels. The staircase railing and turned spindles are also oak and the newel post is an Ionic column with fluting. At the base of the staircase is a built-in bench.

The living room features a large window with stained glass above. This was given to the current owners to replace the missing original stained glass. This room is separated from the dining room by oak pocket doors. The dining room is quite elegant with two original stained glass windows in a picture frame design. The walls are oak paneled to a height of about five feet. The oak sideboard is decorated with a diamond pattern of glass inset in oak doors. The Ionic column detail appears here also.

The kitchen, which you will enter from the staircase, is modern with white cabinets, walls and floor. Out the back door is a wonderful deck and backyard garden. As you go to the second floor, stop on the landing to view the stained glass in diamond pattern with medallions. The upper insets appear to be shields; the lower ones are fleurs-de-lis.

As you reach the top of the stairs, you will be in a central hall with four rooms off of it. On this level you can see six paneled doors and crown moldings that are original. Above each bedroom door is a transom used to promote air flow. One room is decorated in Victorian style.

From this central hall you can continue up to the third floor family game and card room. Notice the hand rail and spindles continue to the third floor. The room is divided by a bathroom in the center with a sleeping area to the left and a dressing room to the right. Built-in oak cabinets, still lined with the original cedar, indicate the area was also used for storage. The flooring is the original maple which has been recently refinished. Off the dressing room is a small balcony.

The home was owned by the Raymonds until they sold it in 1914 to the Moores. The home was owned by the Moores until 1944. In the 1960s the house was owned by Lutheran Social Services and used as a home for indigent families. The current owners have owned the home since 1985 and have restored much of the original ambience.