Gracious Old Homes in Conneaut, Ohio
The following Article was found in the Women's Section of
the
Conneaut
EDITION OF THE
Times--News
Sunday, May 22, 1977
Conneaut Abounds With Gracious, Old Homes
By FAITH SCOTT
| CONNEAUT - The city of Conneaut could well be characterized
as a city of spacious porches, towers and spires. City homes are
generously adorned with the Victorian influence of architecture through the
addition of towers and rounded walls reminiscent of medieval castles with
many small juts and bays protruding from the main roof line. A visit through the Liberty and Main Street area on the city's southern perimeter will show streets doted with charming homes built during the post-Civil War era through the turn of the century when the city experienced a major building phase. Homes in that area evidence the creativity of early builders with each home bestowed with some distinctive feature. Perhaps one of the most distinctive features in city architecture, and one element carried out most consistently in home building from that era was the addition of spacious front porches. It's apparant that Conneaut home owners did not succumb to a trend of 20 years ago that saw the demise of the front porch in favor of smaller stoop entranceways. On the contrary, homeowners in the city elected to restore original porches to their former glory. A distinctive home on Liberty Street is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Carman Zeppettella who have occupied their "octagonal" home for the past 22 years. The home was included in the U. S. Department of Interior |
A distinctive home on Liberty Street is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Carman Zeppettella who have occupied their "octagonal" home for the past 22 years. The home was included in the U. S. Department of Interior National Registry of Historic Places in 1974 due to its age and unique design. The home was built by David Cummins in 1863 and was the site where the Cummins Canning Co. first began business, one of the city's earliest businesses. You're invited to revisit these magnificent old homes through our Sunday feature today. The secret to the good condition of the homes featured today may be found in the remark by one of the owners who said, "The city is fortunate to have so many owner-occupants living in these houses today to help keep the properties at their best. The homes featured today are just a few of the many elegant old homes found in Conneaut. The era when they were built saw a population growth from 1256 to over 7100 in less than 20 years. It was a time when Andrew Carnegie was developing his steel making process and Conneaut Harbor became the largest iron ore receiving port in the world. It was a time when railroads connecting the Great Lakes with the Monongahela Valley for the beginning of the steel dream. Home owners reflected this type of pride and confidence in the future with the style of homes that grew out of that period. |
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Crombie at 444 Main provides yet another style of rounded corners used St. in Conneaut homes. The turreted bay three stories high on the right is copied in a less severe manner in the wing to the left
The original view in the paper:
INSERT PICTURE HERE
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
The look of the home in 2002.... It appears that the balcony railing has been
torn off because the holes are in the siding where they were attached and the
house hasn't been kept up. Homes as massive as these take a lot of time
and money to keep up.
Click on the thumbnail picture below to get the modern day picture of the home.
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This Victorian style home at 769 Main St. was formerly occupied by the Roy E. Brown family and is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wojtowicz. The handsome structure, with its high lookout tower, was built in 1878 by John Olmstead.
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
As of 2002, the home the newest owners remodeled to make it
easier to care for.
Click on the thumbnail pictures below to get the modern day picture of the home.
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Built in 1896, this handsome Gothic style home was referred
to in the history of Ashtabula County as "One of the more attractive homes in
the county." It was built by John D. Cummins, son of David Cummins of the
canning business. The home is distinctive for the two turrets projecting
from the main roof. Present owners are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kreger at 884
Main St. The family has lived there for 30 years and now have offered it For Sale.
UPDATE: The property was SOLD!
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
For the modern day look of the home and more details about it,
Please
CLICK HERE
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The James Miltner home at 900 Main St. features the curved window frames that enhance the charm of the home.
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The southern charm is apparent in this colonial home at 388 Liberty St. with its white classical pillars along the veranda type porch. Mrs. Russell Bidwell the present owner of 40 years, said the French windows open up as doors both in the front and back.
INSERT PICTURE HERE
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
For the modern day look of the home,
Please click the thumbnail picture below.
INSERT PICTURE HERE
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The Robert C. Marcy residence at 239 Liberty St. typifies the homes along the southern perimeter of the city with its spacious porch spanning three sides of the house and the rounded bay window areas. The house is about 100 yeas old and has been in the Marcy family for three generations.
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
For the modern day look of the home,
Please click on the thumbnail picture below.
I believe this house is FOR SALE as Mr. Marcy passed away last year.
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This home at 551 Liberty St. ranks with the oldest in the city. Nearly 150 years old, the home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. James Keefer and is distinctive each spring with its spinning wheel placed on the porch. The home is typical of many Conneaut homes with its flat roof in a Spanish style.
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Conneaut's historic octagonal home is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Carmen Zeppetella at 301 Liberty St. The family has lived at the address for 22 years.
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
For the modern day look of the home, and more detailed history of the home,
Please click on the link below:
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This Web Page has been created to promote the City of Conneaut, Ohio by Sharon Wick 2002