800 O'Shaughnessy Avenue
I have become one of Those People. The ones that the other neighbors roll their eyes at. The kind that make sure you have a building permit before starting renovations. Hello my name is Ashley and I'm obsessed with preserving old houses. 800 O'Shaughnessy Avenue was built in 1907 by the grandparents of Mrs. Paine, The Whiggs. While it was being built, they actually lived in our house. Mrs. Paine inherited the house from her grandparents when they passed, and she lived in the home up until she passed (a few months ago). Another interesting note, Mrs. Paine lived in that house for the past 10 years with no hot water. Also, in the 30's the city came around to tell them they needed to put their plumbing indoors (they were still using an outhouse), but they kept refusing until they told the city "if you want us to have it indoors so badly, you can pay to have it done." And they did. The city paid to build them an indoor bathroom! So interesting (to me)!
On Tuesday the lovely home of the Whiggs/Paine went up for auction. The day before, Andy and I went in to take some photos. Actually, a Fellow Five Pointer suggested we go in as the photos could possibly "save" the house. In fact, the pictures were sent to the State Historic Commission who issued it a Historic Artifact and it can't be torn down without permission...and I know I'd tie myself to that house before it came down. The day of the auction was cold. There were a handful of people there to bid on the house, and another there just to watch. The house sold for $45,500! I've heard two rumors about the young gentleman that won the house. One, that he plans to (try to) graze the house and build two new houses (most likely built to look historic); two, that he plans to fully restore it. Of course I'm voting for the latter. When we first moved to Five Points we were kind of annoyed that our house was in historic district and any changes to the exterior would need to be approved. But now that we've lived here and we've been undergoing restoration, I have a lot more respect for the entire process. I now understand the importance of the approval process because it's all to protect these historic houses.
I will be eagerly watching this house (as it's within eye-shot of most of our windows) in hopes that it will become another wonderful home for a wonderful family. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
And now a few of my favorite rooms, and the rest will go behind a cut.
A friend pointed out this kinda looks like me!
downstairs on the former porch, which was closed in...that's the only major change the house has seen.
downstairs rooms with original beaded board from 1907
downstairs room
my favorite room downstairs
front foyer...this area needs the most work since the foundation seems to have collapsed in this area.
staircase
upstairs landing
upstairs in bedroom
other upstais bedroom
attic shot
On Tuesday the lovely home of the Whiggs/Paine went up for auction. The day before, Andy and I went in to take some photos. Actually, a Fellow Five Pointer suggested we go in as the photos could possibly "save" the house. In fact, the pictures were sent to the State Historic Commission who issued it a Historic Artifact and it can't be torn down without permission...and I know I'd tie myself to that house before it came down. The day of the auction was cold. There were a handful of people there to bid on the house, and another there just to watch. The house sold for $45,500! I've heard two rumors about the young gentleman that won the house. One, that he plans to (try to) graze the house and build two new houses (most likely built to look historic); two, that he plans to fully restore it. Of course I'm voting for the latter. When we first moved to Five Points we were kind of annoyed that our house was in historic district and any changes to the exterior would need to be approved. But now that we've lived here and we've been undergoing restoration, I have a lot more respect for the entire process. I now understand the importance of the approval process because it's all to protect these historic houses.
I will be eagerly watching this house (as it's within eye-shot of most of our windows) in hopes that it will become another wonderful home for a wonderful family. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
And now a few of my favorite rooms, and the rest will go behind a cut.
A friend pointed out this kinda looks like me!
downstairs on the former porch, which was closed in...that's the only major change the house has seen.
downstairs rooms with original beaded board from 1907
downstairs room
my favorite room downstairs
front foyer...this area needs the most work since the foundation seems to have collapsed in this area.
staircase
upstairs landing
upstairs in bedroom
other upstais bedroom
attic shot