If these walls could talk . . .
06-01-2001
Visiting an historic building makes many of us wish we could have seen and heard what happened long ago in that place. Even when we have studied the lives of those who lived and worked there, we can rarely do more than speculate.
Marion, too, has buildings that make us wonder about those who came before us. Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is one of these. Eber Baker, the founder of Marion, was one of the church's first vestrymen. He deeded lot #41 of the original town plat and donated $1,000 toward construction of the church building. Baker's quarry supplied stone for construction, which began in 1856. The stone walls didn't last long, though. A windstorm destroyed the partially-completed walls, and the decision was made to use brick and mortar instead. The bricks used in the walls were produced locally. If you look carefully, you can see that some are darker than others. These were the bricks that were hottest in the kiln.
There is a trap door near the church entrance. Some have suggested that this may have led to a hiding place for escaping slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. Or perhaps it was merely a convenient way to reach the cellar. If only the walls could talk . . .
Frank A. Huber's stately federal-style home on East Church Street was completed in 1911. Huber was part of the family that founded the Huber Manufacturing Company, makers of farm machinery and heavy equipment, such as steam- and gas-powered road graders.
The Hubers were part of Marion's elite, and their home reflected their station. The initial "H" can still be seen in the marble floor of the entrance. Most rooms on the first two floors have fireplaces - and each fireplace has a unique design. On the third floor is a large entertainment room, called the "billiard room" on the original plans. No doubt, many of Marion's movers and shakers spent time here. If only the walls could talk . . .
The Huber home is now owned by Monarch Building Services. They, along with Saint Paul's Episcopal Church and eight other building owners, will open their historic structures to the public on Sunday, June 10, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, for the benefit of The Marion County Historical Society.
The public is invited to learn about some of Marion's architectural treasures and the people who built them at the 2001 Heritage Tour of Historic Homes and Sites. Tickets are available from MCHS by phoning 740-387-4255. Prices are: adults, $7.00 presale, $8.00 day of event; children, $5.00. Day of event tickets will be available at Heritage Hall, 169 East Church Street, beginning at noon.
Weather permitting, vintage automobiles will be on display at selected tour sites. I hope that you will join us for a walk through time. Perhaps we'll learn more than we expect!
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