2014 Marked the 21st Annual Holiday Historic House Tour
Historic homes in the area open their doors to the public. Most are decorated for the holidays and some have live music, and refreshments.
Below are some of the homes on this year’s tour:
1. The Former Marion County Sheriff’s Home (The Marion County Historical Society, Inc. and Museum) Construction on the sheriff’s home and connecting jail began on October 22, 1909 and was completed on March 12, 1912. The courthouse, jail, and sheriff’s home were all built to interconnect and all three structures shared a common utilities connection. The Sheriff’s home became the Marion County Museum in 1986.
2. The Methodist Protestant Church (The Gatherings)The cornerstone of this church was laid in 1896. This church features over 40 stained glass windows dating back to the 1800s including one from the original “Church on the Hill” circa 1834. Governor Francis H. Pierpont and his wife Julia attended this church.
3. The Jolliffe House (Frey Funeral Home) This home was designed by its original owner, Marcelle Jolliffe and his wife. He served as the sheriff of Marion County in the year 1901. This is the last residential home in the downtown area and has been in the same family since it was originally built.
4. The George S. Brackett Home This circa 1906 Shingle Victorian Home is presumed to have been built by A.B Fleming’s daughter Ida and her husband Walton Miller and designed by well known architect Andrew Lyons.
5. The Watson Mansion (Ross Funeral Home) This Tudor Revival home boasts 25 rooms and was designed be famous architect, Horace Trumbauer. The building was constructed between 1901 and 1903 for the James Otis Watson Family.
6. Brownfield Building (All Things Herbal) This Building was constructed around the year 1895 and was originally D.L. Morrow’s Boot and Shoe Store.
7. Clayton- Merideth House This is a Federal-Italianate style home built prior to 1860 by William Meredith.
8. Pinkney-Morgan House This home was built in the 1840s. The architecture is Greek Revival Style. This is the last original Morgan Home standing in the Monongahela Valley.
9. A.G. Martin House The house was built around 1911 by Arthor G. (Heck) Martin. He was the Mayor of Fairmont and a successful business man. The home was built in the American Arts and Crafts (craftsman) style with designe attributed to Gustav Stickley.
