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| Historic homes grace South Pine Street |
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| Question: Please write some columns about old homes, especially those that once stood on South Pine Street. |
| Answer: South Pine Street was the address for several stately homes in years past. A much earlier column told of Charles F. Czech, who was first to construct a mill on Crooked Creek, but little was told of the home he built on South Pine Street. Today, we discuss the Czech home that still stands at 514 South Pine. |
| Czech was born in Germany in 1843 and came to the United States in 1868 after attending the University of Germany. He married in St. Joseph, Missouri, lived there for several years, built a mill in that area, then after the death of his wife, moved to Harrison with their three children - John, Flora and Agnes. |
| In 1895, he built the Jersey Roller Mill, located where the Goblin Stadium now stands. Flooding washed away the original mill only to be replaced by a much stronger built mill that required two engineers. For miles around, the mill had a fine reputation, so it quickly became a favorite place for merchants to purchase flour and meal. |
| Czech married for the second time in 1908 and purchased lots on South Pine Street for his home. Construction began in 1910, with rock for the foundation hauled from Eureka Springs. A cellar was built for storing apples, and a smokehouse for smoking and keeping meats. The two engineers, employed at the mill, lived in a small house just west of the main Czech house. |
| Partially obscured by landscaping, the cottage that housed Virginia Earnest's Kindergarten still stands on the property. Many residents will remember attending preschool classes there, carrying fruit for snacks, playing in the rhythm band and singing for the Lion's Club. This little cottage is now being used by the present owners for storage and extra sleeping space for visiting family members until the main house is completely renovated. |
| In 1935, Dr. J.G. and Willie Gladden purchased the Czech home and lived there until 1946, when they sold the house to Rabie and Sybil Rhodes. The Rhodeses, along with daughters Mary Olive and Ann, lived and entertained in the stately old home for many years. Many Harrison High School homecoming royalty and school club photos featured students standing on the steps of the Rhodes home. After Sybil's death, Rabie married Marcella Hollowell and extensive remodeling began. For some time after Rabie's death, Marcella maintained the home but decided to move into a condo and sold the home to John Levy. |
| About three years ago, Levy sold the home to Ron and Connie Adams. Along with their son Keith, who resides in California and is "into" architectural antiques, the Adams are restoring this home to an unimaginable beauty. Former owners of an old home in Corinth, Mississippi, the Adamses are slowly and painstakingly making this a showplace. Studying old pictures obtained at the Heritage Museum, the exterior of the home has been returned to the original look in almost every detail while the inside rivals anything shown in Architectural Digest. The Adamses are to be praised for the wonderful work they have done and will continue to do on this home. |
| Recently, Sue Barger and Fred Hudson gave a slide presentation on old homes at a monthly noon program of the Boone County Historical & Railroad Society. Slides collected in the past by Sammie Rose and others gave a glimpse of how many homes looked in the early days of Boone County. Maybe in the future, this can be presented once again. After all, photos can tell a story all their own - without words. |
| The Boone County Heritage Museum strives to preserve the history of Boone County. We welcome your pictures, stories and family histories. The museum is located on the corner of South Cherry Street and Central Avenue. Hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
| This column appears Fridays in the Harrison Daily Times. Mail questions to Boone County Heritage Museum, P. O. Box 1094, Harrison, AR 72601. Marilyn Smith can be contacted at bchm@windstream.net |
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