Around the Ville

Bayberry House Grand Opening

I have often admired the Victorian homes in the North Fourth Street Historic district of Steubenville and this weekend I was able to visit two of them for the grand opening of Bayberry House Bed and Breakfast.

Garrett Guest House

 

 

L-R Scott Dressel & Vance Posey

About 75 people toured the homes that were decorated for Christmas, as owners Scott Dressel and Vance Posey were on hand to chat with visitors and answer questions.

Garrett House living & dining rooms

As I entered the Garrett Guest House, its beauty overwhelmed me and it was hard to imagine that the property was once condemned.

kitchen & fireplace

Garrett house master bedroom suite

The master bedroom suite has a king size bed, a marble fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a Jacuzzi bath.

H. G. Garrett originally owned the home in 1871 and he owned the Union Savings Institution building where the first telegraph office was located.

Westfall House

Built Circa 1870, the Westfall house had a number of prominent residents including J.M. Freeman, of the terra cotta works c. 1885; C.A. Freeman, secretary of the Central Sewer Pipe Co. c. 1902;  H.D. Westfall, vice-president of LaBelle Iron Works c. 1915; and C.D. Simeral, publisher of the Herald Star c. 1929.

Westfall house living & dining rooms

As I toured the Westfall house, I ran into my friend Gwynne Griesinger, who lives a few doors down from there.  She said she remembered playing in the house as a child when Lucy and Jay Fisher, who worked at Weirton Steel, owned the house.

I am glad I was able to attend the Bayberry House grand opening and see these beautifully restored Victorian homes.  Dressel said there are ten other homes currently being restored by other individuals in the Historic North Fourth Street district.

Let us be thankful that there are people living in the Ohio Valley who are spending their time and hard earned money to restore these homes to preserve a part of our history.  They are also helping our local ecomomy.

Bayberry House Bed and Breakfast offers tours every Sunday afternoon promptly at 2:00 p.m.  Call 740-632-2899 to schedule a tour.  For more information visit: www.bayberryproperties.com