Trending
I have spent some time in downtown Steubenville during the last few days and I am always impressed by the historic buildings and homes that are there. Steubenville certainly is an old place and the buildings that are there exude that age. That is not to say that they are somehow lacking in any way because they are old, but in fact it makes them more charming and appealing, in my opinion anyway.
When I was working at Historic Fort Steuben, I had the chance to visit some of the old buildings in town. One specifically was Mayor Jerry Barilla's store, Frank and Jerry's on Fourth Street. I was so impressed and interested in the elevator that was in that building. Jerry told me it was from the 1890s and, surprisingly, was still in operation. I had never seen an elevator that was operated by pulling a rope. One of the cool experiences I had was to climb up in the room above the elevator where the mechanism was kept. Watching the great flywheel operate was a sight to see. I thank Jerry for allowing me to check it out years ago.
Another cool building in downtown Steubenville that I have been blessed to see behind the scenes is the old rescue mission building on Market Street. I have written about this building a few times in this column as it is a fascinating survivor in our area. It was built around 1827 and is one of the oldest homes still standing downtown. In a few years it will celebrate 200 years as a landmark in our community.
It was built by Daniel Collier, who was an attorney and friend of Edwin Stanton and family. I don't have any hard evidence that Stanton visited the home, but certainly it is probable as Stanton considered Collier a surrogate father figure to him in his young life and career. Daniel certainly would have discussed the trials and tribulations of his brother, James Collier, while he made his way out to San Francisco with a military escort to become the first collector of the port there in 1849, having been appointed by President Zachary Taylor.
When I visit places like these, I feel history in the rooms and corridors. So much life has been lived there during the past 197 years that it is hard for me not to feel it.
After the Collier family moved from the house in the late 1850s, the Johnson family moved in. Dr. Thomas Johnson was a medical doctor in Steubenville and his family lived in the residence for the rest of the 19th century. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the Civil War was going on, as I am sure it was a matter of discussion and concern for the Johnson family especially in 1863 when the Confederates of Morgan's Raiders were so close to the city.
After the Johnson family left the building, it was remodeled and had a few owners before becoming a funeral home for much of the 20th century. Around the time of the founding of Weirton and Weirton Steel in 1909, it was the home of E.T. Weir and his family after they moved from the Fort Steuben Hotel. I am sure many discussions of our early history were hashed out in the home. As I mentioned, I had the opportunity to visit the place after the City Rescue Mission moved to its new location and this building was empty.
Wandering through the place I could not find much of its early history. Most of the building had been remodeled, I believe around 1900 to 1915, when it became a funeral home.
There also is an apartment with a kitchen on the second floor that looked to me to be from the 1940s or 1950s with its fashionable vinyl floors so typical of the time. As any building historian will tell you, the bones of any home are found in the basement and attic, so it was there I hoped to find the 1827 structure and evidence of the Colliers and Johnson family. In the basement I found hand-hewn beams typical of a building nearing 200 years old along with handmade bricks and foundation stones with herringbone chiseling, a surprising decorative feature in a basement.
In the attic I was not surprised to find a more rustic space. This area was not remodeled and could have been there at least in the late 19th century. There are a few rooms up there, possibly used for live-in servants. One of the coolest things I have ever seen in a historic home was found in one of the rooms. I discovered a combination gas and electric light fixture in its original location. To me that was an incredible thing to see still in place for more than 100 years, and the best part was that the light actually worked.
Seeing these things makes me wonder what is still yet to be discovered in downtown Steubenville. Are there homes and buildings still standing that still have gas light fixtures ready to be turned on or hand-hewn beams holding the place up? Or old buildings with elevators requiring a rope to activate them? These are survivors and pieces that can't ever be replaced. If you are lucky enough to be a steward of these treasures, make sure they last another century or so. It will make our community more unique and your care for them will hopefully inspire those that come after you to do the same.
Once our history is gone, it is impossible to get back.
(Zuros is a historian and an Ohio Valley native)