2014 Pictorial Review
Levi and Elizabeth Gochenaur
Residence
270 West Market Street
This home was built in 1869 by Levi and Elizabeth Gochenaur who sold it less than a year after construction. It is an example of a Victorian Folk Cottage, a style that became popular after the Civil War when there was a boom in housing. Following the war, improvements in milling technology allowed for greater variety in architectural designs. The results were charming homes like this one that stood out for the individuality of their architecture. Changes and additions were made to the original structure, and for many years, the house served as a rental property. Since they purchased their home this year, the Dukes have worked to integrate 145 years of past alterations and recapture the original appeal of a Victorian Folk Cottage.
The Dukes’ love of very simple interior décor is evident in their home. Their Christmas decorations reflect their preference for the “simple and minimal” that “look very pretty and natural” such as live greens and white lights. Note the American chestnut woodwork and the original hardwood floors that are a special feature of the house. The Dukes have also restored the stable at the rear of their property. They look forward to sharing their first Christmas in their restored home with visitors to Marietta.
Residence
270 West Market Street
This home was built in 1869 by Levi and Elizabeth Gochenaur who sold it less than a year after construction. It is an example of a Victorian Folk Cottage, a style that became popular after the Civil War when there was a boom in housing. Following the war, improvements in milling technology allowed for greater variety in architectural designs. The results were charming homes like this one that stood out for the individuality of their architecture. Changes and additions were made to the original structure, and for many years, the house served as a rental property. Since they purchased their home this year, the Dukes have worked to integrate 145 years of past alterations and recapture the original appeal of a Victorian Folk Cottage.
The Dukes’ love of very simple interior décor is evident in their home. Their Christmas decorations reflect their preference for the “simple and minimal” that “look very pretty and natural” such as live greens and white lights. Note the American chestnut woodwork and the original hardwood floors that are a special feature of the house. The Dukes have also restored the stable at the rear of their property. They look forward to sharing their first Christmas in their restored home with visitors to Marietta.
Arcade Row
203 West Market Street
Charming, quaint and cozy are adjectives called to mind when entering this home. It is one of three identical row homes that were built just after the Civil War. They were originally known as “Arcade Row”, a name that was a carryover from the original one-story, wooden structure dating from the early 1830’s that occupied this corner of Centre Square. It was described as “standing on stilts”. After more than thirty years, it had become dilapidated, and in 1866 two investors, by the names of William H. Eagle (1832-1878) and Dr. James Cushman (1822-1877), purchased the old structure and tore it down. The present group of homes was built as rental properties, which they continued to be until the 1930’s.
This house, that is covered with the original clap-board siding that has been removed from so many similar buildings, has been home to Cindy for three years. A former owner of the row stated that, when purchased in the 1980’s, the buildings had dirt basements and no bathrooms. Restoring them at that time required raising the buildings by adding to the foundations, thus accounting for the bricks that show below the clapboard. With its wooden shutters and wide wood plank floors, it is a perfect setting for primitive country holiday decorating. Featured will be five trees, each distinctively decorated with handcrafted ornaments such as Old World glass ornaments including many birds with feathers, and primitive and country ornaments. Fresh and artificial greens and other natural decorations and lights will adorn the home. The kitchen, that features an exposed-beam ceiling, is a perfect backdrop for a display of Carnival glass pitchers and glasses. A new covered porch was added last year.
203 West Market Street
Charming, quaint and cozy are adjectives called to mind when entering this home. It is one of three identical row homes that were built just after the Civil War. They were originally known as “Arcade Row”, a name that was a carryover from the original one-story, wooden structure dating from the early 1830’s that occupied this corner of Centre Square. It was described as “standing on stilts”. After more than thirty years, it had become dilapidated, and in 1866 two investors, by the names of William H. Eagle (1832-1878) and Dr. James Cushman (1822-1877), purchased the old structure and tore it down. The present group of homes was built as rental properties, which they continued to be until the 1930’s.
This house, that is covered with the original clap-board siding that has been removed from so many similar buildings, has been home to Cindy for three years. A former owner of the row stated that, when purchased in the 1980’s, the buildings had dirt basements and no bathrooms. Restoring them at that time required raising the buildings by adding to the foundations, thus accounting for the bricks that show below the clapboard. With its wooden shutters and wide wood plank floors, it is a perfect setting for primitive country holiday decorating. Featured will be five trees, each distinctively decorated with handcrafted ornaments such as Old World glass ornaments including many birds with feathers, and primitive and country ornaments. Fresh and artificial greens and other natural decorations and lights will adorn the home. The kitchen, that features an exposed-beam ceiling, is a perfect backdrop for a display of Carnival glass pitchers and glasses. A new covered porch was added last year.
Buchanan Post Office
135 West Market Street
The quaint shop façade of this building reflects its commercial importance in this community. In 1853, Joseph Buchanan (1821-1861) purchased the property, and over the next nine decades ownership passed through several generations of Joseph’s descendants. The boom in economic prosperity following the Civil War resulted in the original wooden building at this location being torn down in 1872 to make way for the present structure. Members of the Buchanan family carried on various business enterprises from this site until 1940. Most notable among them was the Western Union Telegraph Office operated by Miss Annie C. Buchanan from 1873 to 1886. The Marietta Post Office was located here between 1886 and 1902. In 1940, Henry B. Lenhart, Jr. (1908-1986) and his wife, Miriam S. (1920-1999), purchased the property for their cabinetmaking business. Henry was also in charge of the operation of the Marietta Gravity Water Company, and Mim spent time on the third floor pursuing her hobby as a licensed ham radio operator.
After standing empty for a few years, Eric and Lori purchased the property in November of 2012. Over the past two years, they have renovated and restored the interior and exterior of the building. Even a rooftop yard has been added to accommodate their dogs. Beginning in November of 2014, the downstairs studio will house Vital Tree Yoga. Owner Laurie Rinard will be on hand for those who want to stop in and visit.
The Allmans hope to fill the main store front in the near future. The shop windows remind one of an illustration from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Live greens and Christmas lights along with decorations from the Dickens Market (that will be set up at the Susquehanna Stage Company on the day of the tour) reflect the blend of Christmases past and present in this unusual “shop-residence”.
135 West Market Street
The quaint shop façade of this building reflects its commercial importance in this community. In 1853, Joseph Buchanan (1821-1861) purchased the property, and over the next nine decades ownership passed through several generations of Joseph’s descendants. The boom in economic prosperity following the Civil War resulted in the original wooden building at this location being torn down in 1872 to make way for the present structure. Members of the Buchanan family carried on various business enterprises from this site until 1940. Most notable among them was the Western Union Telegraph Office operated by Miss Annie C. Buchanan from 1873 to 1886. The Marietta Post Office was located here between 1886 and 1902. In 1940, Henry B. Lenhart, Jr. (1908-1986) and his wife, Miriam S. (1920-1999), purchased the property for their cabinetmaking business. Henry was also in charge of the operation of the Marietta Gravity Water Company, and Mim spent time on the third floor pursuing her hobby as a licensed ham radio operator.
After standing empty for a few years, Eric and Lori purchased the property in November of 2012. Over the past two years, they have renovated and restored the interior and exterior of the building. Even a rooftop yard has been added to accommodate their dogs. Beginning in November of 2014, the downstairs studio will house Vital Tree Yoga. Owner Laurie Rinard will be on hand for those who want to stop in and visit.
The Allmans hope to fill the main store front in the near future. The shop windows remind one of an illustration from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Live greens and Christmas lights along with decorations from the Dickens Market (that will be set up at the Susquehanna Stage Company on the day of the tour) reflect the blend of Christmases past and present in this unusual “shop-residence”.
Knapp Residence
406 East Hazel Avenue
Nestled among trees, this is one of Marietta’s newest homes. Built in 2008, the Knapp's home is an example of a new house that fits neatly into an established neighborhood and blends quietly with the natural environment of the site. Heating and cooling are geothermal and incorporate energy efficiency and ease of maintenance that are the results of today’s technology and that lead to relaxed living.
This home is especially interesting because the interior design is based on architectural ideas from The Not So Big House, a New York Times best-selling book by Sarah Susanka and Kira Obolensky. This style incorporates home designs that are both beautiful and smaller. One-floor living is emphasized with a great room, master bedroom and bath, all in only 1,000 square feet, and includes a hexagonal screened porch bordered by a fish pond and a natural native plant garden. The second floor has two bedrooms and a bath. The Knapp's decorations will showcase the contemporary feel of the home and will feature lights reflected in the pond and around the native plant garden.
406 East Hazel Avenue
Nestled among trees, this is one of Marietta’s newest homes. Built in 2008, the Knapp's home is an example of a new house that fits neatly into an established neighborhood and blends quietly with the natural environment of the site. Heating and cooling are geothermal and incorporate energy efficiency and ease of maintenance that are the results of today’s technology and that lead to relaxed living.
This home is especially interesting because the interior design is based on architectural ideas from The Not So Big House, a New York Times best-selling book by Sarah Susanka and Kira Obolensky. This style incorporates home designs that are both beautiful and smaller. One-floor living is emphasized with a great room, master bedroom and bath, all in only 1,000 square feet, and includes a hexagonal screened porch bordered by a fish pond and a natural native plant garden. The second floor has two bedrooms and a bath. The Knapp's decorations will showcase the contemporary feel of the home and will feature lights reflected in the pond and around the native plant garden.
Hiestand Lumber
Yard Warehouse
501 East Front Street
This residence is a superb example of adaptive reuse of industrial space. Built about 1915, this three-story brick warehouse provided workspace and storage for the B. F. Hiestand & Sons Lumber Company which specialized in the manufacture of door frames and window sashes. The company was founded in 1848 by Benjamin F. Hiestand (1828-1919), and, when this substantial brick structure was erected, the “Sons” were expanding on their father’s success (The home of “son” B. Frank Hiestand (1861-1936) at 722 East Market Street is also on this year’s tour). This warehouse replaced a smaller frame building and was one of several brick warehouses that the company constructed in this vicinity around this same time.
Today, it is one of the few remaining structures from Marietta’s thriving lumber industry that dominated the river’s bank at this end of the borough. The building is three bays long with two bays on the gable ends and features four double-sliding loading dock-doors on the first floor and one on the second floor. The open first floor functions as work space and features a vestige of the initial use of this building – an original Otis freight elevator. The high ceilings and exposed brick walls form a dramatic backdrop for the second and third floor loft-style living area, a perfect setting for the owner to pursue his writing endeavors. All three floors of this “warehouse turned residence” are open for the tour.
Yard Warehouse
501 East Front Street
This residence is a superb example of adaptive reuse of industrial space. Built about 1915, this three-story brick warehouse provided workspace and storage for the B. F. Hiestand & Sons Lumber Company which specialized in the manufacture of door frames and window sashes. The company was founded in 1848 by Benjamin F. Hiestand (1828-1919), and, when this substantial brick structure was erected, the “Sons” were expanding on their father’s success (The home of “son” B. Frank Hiestand (1861-1936) at 722 East Market Street is also on this year’s tour). This warehouse replaced a smaller frame building and was one of several brick warehouses that the company constructed in this vicinity around this same time.
Today, it is one of the few remaining structures from Marietta’s thriving lumber industry that dominated the river’s bank at this end of the borough. The building is three bays long with two bays on the gable ends and features four double-sliding loading dock-doors on the first floor and one on the second floor. The open first floor functions as work space and features a vestige of the initial use of this building – an original Otis freight elevator. The high ceilings and exposed brick walls form a dramatic backdrop for the second and third floor loft-style living area, a perfect setting for the owner to pursue his writing endeavors. All three floors of this “warehouse turned residence” are open for the tour.
B. Frank Hiestand
House B&B
722 East Market Street
This High Style Queen Anne Victorian house stands in a subdivision that was called “Hiestand’s Addition”. Benjamin F. Hiestand (1828-1919), patriarch of one of Marietta’s most influential families and founder of the B. F. Hiestand Lumber Company, laid out building lots and had this house built in 1887. It was one of the early buildings designed by architect C. Emlen Urban of Lancaster (who later designed the Greist Building and the Hager and Watt and Shand Buildings). It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1888, the newly completed residence was sold to Mr. Hiestand’s son, B. Frank Hiestand (1861-1936) for $5,000. The second Mr. Hiestand retained the services of architect Urban again in 1924 to design a spacious addition to the eastern end of the home. The Hiestand-Vanderslice family lived here until 1990, and since 2000, Dallas and Pam Fritz have been hosting guests here at their Bed & Breakfast.
The spacious interior includes three parlors, and a formal dining room with five-foot high mahogany wainscoting, a coffered ceiling, a crystal and brass chandelier, stained glass windows and a mahogany arch with French doors that open onto a slate patio. The veranda is inlaid with imported Spanish tile, and the central staircase leads up to eight bedrooms. A trunk elevator is a rare relic of bygone days. The Fritzes added a guest cottage in 2008. Holiday decorations include multiple Christmas trees, each decorated with a different theme, the dining room table set with fine china and family heirlooms and other special Christmas collections.
House B&B
722 East Market Street
This High Style Queen Anne Victorian house stands in a subdivision that was called “Hiestand’s Addition”. Benjamin F. Hiestand (1828-1919), patriarch of one of Marietta’s most influential families and founder of the B. F. Hiestand Lumber Company, laid out building lots and had this house built in 1887. It was one of the early buildings designed by architect C. Emlen Urban of Lancaster (who later designed the Greist Building and the Hager and Watt and Shand Buildings). It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1888, the newly completed residence was sold to Mr. Hiestand’s son, B. Frank Hiestand (1861-1936) for $5,000. The second Mr. Hiestand retained the services of architect Urban again in 1924 to design a spacious addition to the eastern end of the home. The Hiestand-Vanderslice family lived here until 1990, and since 2000, Dallas and Pam Fritz have been hosting guests here at their Bed & Breakfast.
The spacious interior includes three parlors, and a formal dining room with five-foot high mahogany wainscoting, a coffered ceiling, a crystal and brass chandelier, stained glass windows and a mahogany arch with French doors that open onto a slate patio. The veranda is inlaid with imported Spanish tile, and the central staircase leads up to eight bedrooms. A trunk elevator is a rare relic of bygone days. The Fritzes added a guest cottage in 2008. Holiday decorations include multiple Christmas trees, each decorated with a different theme, the dining room table set with fine china and family heirlooms and other special Christmas collections.
Matthias Ranck House
18 East Front Street
This stucco-over-brick Federal-style townhouse was built about 1811 by Mathias Ranck (1783–1837), who came to Marietta about 1809 and established a thriving lumber business. He was a veteran of the War of 1812 serving in Captain Jacob Grosh’s company of “Marietta Greys” which was stationed at Marcus Hook, PA. When the Marietta bank failed in 1821 however, Mathias went bankrupt, and his property was auctioned off to pay creditors. Ranck soon left Marietta and moved to Brownsville, Indiana, to begin again.
Formerly operated as the Waterford House Bed & Breakfast, it was named for the town of Waterford which merged with the town of New Haven in 1812 to create the Borough of Marietta. The wood floors and fireplaces are original to the home and display some of the elegance of that period. There are three stairways, four working fireplaces, including a walk-in in the kitchen, and a built-in corner cupboard in the dining room. Roger and Kelly have made this historic home their own with some of their own renovations. Kelly will be dressing their home for the holidays using traditional greens and poinsettias. Please note the beautiful side garden as you exit the home.
18 East Front Street
This stucco-over-brick Federal-style townhouse was built about 1811 by Mathias Ranck (1783–1837), who came to Marietta about 1809 and established a thriving lumber business. He was a veteran of the War of 1812 serving in Captain Jacob Grosh’s company of “Marietta Greys” which was stationed at Marcus Hook, PA. When the Marietta bank failed in 1821 however, Mathias went bankrupt, and his property was auctioned off to pay creditors. Ranck soon left Marietta and moved to Brownsville, Indiana, to begin again.
Formerly operated as the Waterford House Bed & Breakfast, it was named for the town of Waterford which merged with the town of New Haven in 1812 to create the Borough of Marietta. The wood floors and fireplaces are original to the home and display some of the elegance of that period. There are three stairways, four working fireplaces, including a walk-in in the kitchen, and a built-in corner cupboard in the dining room. Roger and Kelly have made this historic home their own with some of their own renovations. Kelly will be dressing their home for the holidays using traditional greens and poinsettias. Please note the beautiful side garden as you exit the home.
Jacob Roth’s Stable and Cooper Shop
114 West Hazel Avenue
On the night of 7 July 1871, a devastating fire ripped through the stables and workshops standing on either side of this block of West Hazel Avenue. Among the fifteen buildings destroyed by the blaze was the cooper shop of Jacob Roth. The Roths’ residence was at 113-115 West Market Street on the north end of the lot where the shop was located. Soon after the fire, the Roth’s built this sturdy brick stable that included a new cooper’s shop that shared a rear wall. For more than half a century, the building was relegated to use for storage until the late 1980’s when Leldon Blackmon creatively converted the structure into a residence. The renovation utilized many recycled materials. The downstairs beams are from an Amish barn, the bricks in the kitchen floor are from an old Columbia sidewalk, and the bathroom countertops are made of wood from the bleachers of an old Columbia football stadium.
As the residence of Bill and Cindy Libhart since 2007, their home is a wealth of Marietta memorabilia. The Libhart family has been in Marietta since the town’s founding in 1812, and its members have figured prominently in business, civic, educational, artistic and scientific aspects of the community. The home furnishings include many antique pieces that have been passed down through the family. Artwork includes: portraits by Judge John Jay Libhart (1806-1883), who was also a burgess, scientist and merchant; sketches by Anthony Canova Libhart (1843-1919); paintings by Henry Miller Libhart (1926-2012), who was Chairman of the Art Department at Elizabethtown College and was known for his trompe-l’oeil technique. Also to be seen are bottles from the 19th century Libhart Drug Company, a violin made by Anthony Canova Libhart, an 1880’s cherry wall pocket made by Marietta cabinetmaker/undertaker Jacob Libhart (1832-1912), and chandeliers made by Henry Miller Libhart. As you leave this resurrected historic property, enjoy the glimpse of the Libhart’s English style garden.
114 West Hazel Avenue
On the night of 7 July 1871, a devastating fire ripped through the stables and workshops standing on either side of this block of West Hazel Avenue. Among the fifteen buildings destroyed by the blaze was the cooper shop of Jacob Roth. The Roths’ residence was at 113-115 West Market Street on the north end of the lot where the shop was located. Soon after the fire, the Roth’s built this sturdy brick stable that included a new cooper’s shop that shared a rear wall. For more than half a century, the building was relegated to use for storage until the late 1980’s when Leldon Blackmon creatively converted the structure into a residence. The renovation utilized many recycled materials. The downstairs beams are from an Amish barn, the bricks in the kitchen floor are from an old Columbia sidewalk, and the bathroom countertops are made of wood from the bleachers of an old Columbia football stadium.
As the residence of Bill and Cindy Libhart since 2007, their home is a wealth of Marietta memorabilia. The Libhart family has been in Marietta since the town’s founding in 1812, and its members have figured prominently in business, civic, educational, artistic and scientific aspects of the community. The home furnishings include many antique pieces that have been passed down through the family. Artwork includes: portraits by Judge John Jay Libhart (1806-1883), who was also a burgess, scientist and merchant; sketches by Anthony Canova Libhart (1843-1919); paintings by Henry Miller Libhart (1926-2012), who was Chairman of the Art Department at Elizabethtown College and was known for his trompe-l’oeil technique. Also to be seen are bottles from the 19th century Libhart Drug Company, a violin made by Anthony Canova Libhart, an 1880’s cherry wall pocket made by Marietta cabinetmaker/undertaker Jacob Libhart (1832-1912), and chandeliers made by Henry Miller Libhart. As you leave this resurrected historic property, enjoy the glimpse of the Libhart’s English style garden.
Musselman Vesta
Iron Furnace Center
27 Furnace Road
(Located in the Chickies Rock County Park)
The Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Center is the most recent successful restoration project of Marietta Restoration Associates, Inc. (MRA). The project was undertaken in 2003 when MRA signed a 99-year lease with the County of Lancaster for the purpose of saving and restoring this historic building. Of the eight iron furnaces that once existed in the two-mile stretch along the Susquehanna River between Marietta and Columbia, this is the only remaining office building.
Built in 1868 by Henry Musselman and Henry Miller Watts, this stucco-on-stone structure housed the offices of their adjacent furnace, the eighth and last anthracite iron furnace to be built in this area. Its Italianate Victorian architectural style was popular for residences but was rare in industrial settings. For that reason, architectural historians regard this application as a unique gem of Lancaster County history. The beautiful arched windows are an outstanding feature as are the grain-painted wainscoting in the main office room and the iron portico brackets. The Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Center Committee, led by Lenny Droege, oversaw this decade- long project with support from Rivertownes PA USA. Because the building is located in the Chickies Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the extensive restoration work was done adhering to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Grants from the County of Lancaster, contributions from donors, a grant from the Eater Family Foundation and annual fundraising efforts by dedicated volunteers united to make this restoration a reality.
At this new center, visitors can learn about the anthracite iron industry that flourished here in the second half of the 19th century and that ended about 1930. Photographs, artifacts and informative displays tell the local story of iron production, ironmasters and the workers. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions about this area of Lancaster County that was once known as “Little Pittsburgh”.
The Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Center is opened to the public on Sundays from 1 to 3 PM. The Center is an anticipated stop on the Northwest River Trail.
Iron Furnace Center
27 Furnace Road
(Located in the Chickies Rock County Park)
The Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Center is the most recent successful restoration project of Marietta Restoration Associates, Inc. (MRA). The project was undertaken in 2003 when MRA signed a 99-year lease with the County of Lancaster for the purpose of saving and restoring this historic building. Of the eight iron furnaces that once existed in the two-mile stretch along the Susquehanna River between Marietta and Columbia, this is the only remaining office building.
Built in 1868 by Henry Musselman and Henry Miller Watts, this stucco-on-stone structure housed the offices of their adjacent furnace, the eighth and last anthracite iron furnace to be built in this area. Its Italianate Victorian architectural style was popular for residences but was rare in industrial settings. For that reason, architectural historians regard this application as a unique gem of Lancaster County history. The beautiful arched windows are an outstanding feature as are the grain-painted wainscoting in the main office room and the iron portico brackets. The Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Center Committee, led by Lenny Droege, oversaw this decade- long project with support from Rivertownes PA USA. Because the building is located in the Chickies Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the extensive restoration work was done adhering to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Grants from the County of Lancaster, contributions from donors, a grant from the Eater Family Foundation and annual fundraising efforts by dedicated volunteers united to make this restoration a reality.
At this new center, visitors can learn about the anthracite iron industry that flourished here in the second half of the 19th century and that ended about 1930. Photographs, artifacts and informative displays tell the local story of iron production, ironmasters and the workers. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions about this area of Lancaster County that was once known as “Little Pittsburgh”.
The Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Center is opened to the public on Sundays from 1 to 3 PM. The Center is an anticipated stop on the Northwest River Trail.