One of my two reference books about St. Michaels is “Historic St. Michaels, An Architectural History” by Elizabeth Hughes”. St. Michaels’ initial growth was linked to the shipbuilding industry and prosperity led to the incorporation of the Town in 1804. The 1806 survey showed three “squares”, “Braddock’s Square” (the original plan of the Town), “Thompson’s Square” and “Harrison’s Square”. This week’s feature at 102 Locust Street was part of “Harrison’s Square”.
The street’s original residents were primarily employed in the shipbuilding industry and related trades.
The original house was the bungalow with the shed dormer facing Locust Street and a large shed in the rear yard contained a wood working shop. The house was first expanded with a two-story addition to the north side of the original bungalow. The front room was lined in Chestnut panels whose wood was rescued from an abandoned and demolished barn. The beautiful woodwork and the wood-burning fireplace created an inviting study for the current owner and was my favorite room.
The last addition was a “hyphen” that connected the rear shed to the two-story addition. At that time the former shed was renovated as a master suite and the woodworking tools were donated to the St. Michaels Museum on St. Mary’s Square. The finishing touch was the current owner’s renovation of the large kitchen and upgrades to the two bathrooms in the “hyphen” connection. The additions and renovations created a master bedroom, two bedrooms and two baths so a new owner could enjoy one-level living. The original part of the house could then be the living room, dining room and study.
The backyard was a serene oasis in this hybrid block of commercial structures along Talbot Street and the residences along Locust Street. Two sets of French doors in the “hyphen” led to a terrace surrounded by plantings.
This house is an example of how houses have been adapted over time but the original charming bungalow is still clearly defined for architectural buffs to appreciate. Hopefully this unique house will attract a new owner who will appreciate its place in St. Michaels’ architectural history.
For more information about this property, contact Wink Cowee with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0415 (o), 410-310-0208 (c), or [email protected].
Spy House of the Week is an ongoing series that selects a different home each week. The Spy’s Habitat editor Jennifer Martella makes these selections based exclusively on her experience as a architect.
Jennifer Martella has pursued her dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. Her award winning work has ranged from revitalization projects to a collaboration with the Maya Lin Studio for the Children’s Defense Fund’s corporate retreat in her home state of Tennessee.
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