the history of our house

Ryan found this photo today while trying to dig up some more info regarding the history of our beloved house (which we have lived in for a little over a year now):

Wowza! On the right is our house around the turn of the century! The facade has a lot more detail than it does now, but hopefully we will one day restore it to its original glory. Note the stained glass windows in the turret - they still stand today!

Prior to this discovery - which we could have easily made had we just checked out this book a little sooner - we believed the house was built in 1907. Turns out there was a drugstore in our home in 1894! We of course were aware that it had been a pharmacy, as many have told us they used to frequent Blankenbush Drug Store back in the day (I think the store ran into the 60's or later). In its early years, it even boasted the quintessential old-timy soda fountain, but sadly that is long gone. What the space still does have intact are the old (but not original) cabinetry, apothecary drawers, and phone booth.

An example of the old drawers and cabinetry that are still in the commercial space today. These weren't original to the house but were added at some point during its history as the neighborhood drugstore.

And to think, just the other night I was going on and on to poor Ryan about what Centre Street must have looked like back in the olden days; this was indeed a timely find! I am especially digging the trees along the street, which have sadly gone the way of the soda fountain. But we are actually in the process of working with the Shade Tree Commission to plant a tree out front, for some much needed shade and a nice little buffer from the busy road Centre has become.

Ahhhhh, history and old things, how I love you. Creaky, comfy old house with an interesting past, I love you best of all!