I have owned the Cross House for fourteen month. And finally had a party! My first! The event (May 1st) was to celebrate the Cross House receiving a Heritage Grant, and the guest list was composed primarily of individuals I wanted to thank for making the grant a reality. I also invited those who have…

The first floor of the Cross House is blessed with a lot…a lot…of Lincrusta. Old house nuts afficinadoes across the land know that Lincrusta is a linoleum-like product embossed with patterns. But the general public has no idea what Lincrusta is. Thus, on numerous occasions when I have given tours to people, I hear: “You…

The Cross House continues to amaze and startle me. In the spacious foyer and stair hall is a niche:     To the right of the niche is a door to a vestibule (the north entrance). There are three stained-glass arched windows. To the left is a door to the telephone closet. Yes, a telephone…

The Cross House has eight fireplaces. All were originally coal-burning (but I am not sure why they were ever used as the house had a new-fangled radiator system). Each opening is surrounded by an artful array of figurative tiles by the American Encaustic Tiling Company. A few have gone missing over the years. So, here is…

This Friday I am having a party at the Cross House. A party! It is my very first in the house! The party is to celebrate the house receiving a Heritage Trust grant. However, it will be quite surreal having a gala in rooms which look like bombs have gone off. There is missing plaster, dangling…

In a previous post I detailed the surreal history of the carriage house to the Cross House. In short: 1) Built in 1894. It had a 2-story main section, and a 1-story north wing. The structure sat right against the alley. It likely had no flooring on the main level, just dirt (it was used…

The Cross House has two pantries: 1) A butler’s panty. 2) A main pantry. Cool. I love these classic old house features. Here is the original drawing of the butler’s pantry:         At some point in, it seems, the 1950s, the pantry was modified: 1) The two upper drawers were removed. 2)…

The Cross House is a monumental project. And in my fourteen months of ownership a great deal has been done. Steel beams have been inserted, windows have been restored, a new structural wall prevented collapse, original paint colors were determined and reapplied to the exterior, the boilers have been repaired, and all the radiators now…

    When I woke up this morning I had NO idea what a 1932 Studebaker looked like. Nor have I ever once thought about a 1932 Studebaker. But this evening I am possessed by 1932 Studebaker thoughts. POSSESSED! I love when life throws out such curve balls. My idea: Somewhere out there there, somewhere,…

In 1929 Scout Mouse, Sr. purchased the Cross House and partially converted it into apartments. I do not know if he and his family lived in the house. In 1950, his son, Scott, Jr., turned the house into the Palace Motel:         Today, Lindy Mouse Whetzel, the daughter of the dashing Scott,…

In my previous post, I was, perhaps, not entirely serious. In today’s post I will try to conjure some sober maturity. All my previous posts have focused on the west facade. My 2015 project is to get the north facade painted all pretty. And do repairs. And tuck-point the chimney. Both facades are highly visible, as…

Brothers and sisters of the Ancient Clan of Restoration, a great day is upon us! ‘O let us rejoice! The rumors ’tis be true! It can today be stated that our endeavors have been achieved, allowing us to embark upon our siege of the Castle Cross! And we shall have victory! VICTORY SHALL BE OURS!…

  When the Cross House was built in 1894 it had wall-to-wall carpeting on the first two floors, a great luxury. In such instances, plain pine floors would be laid under, as was done at the Cross House. However, for a very long time the house has had oak flooring. I always assumed this was…

      Thanks Melody!  

    Thanks Melody! And now you got me wondering what a great, rich shade of purple would look like…      

  In my previous post I invited readers to paint my library. Kelly and Melody took up the challenge, and graciously photoshopped Tiffany Blue onto the library walls. Thanks to you both! With the lighter trim color now revealed, I do like Tiffany Blue better than when the trim was all dark. But is it…