The Dolbier-Bartholomew House is a progressively stylistically updated mix of Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne and Eastlake styles, and has been a place of ongoing wonder and discussion for many years. As early as 1855, the record of land deals indicates the presence of a modest house on the site. Between 1855 and 1860, mortgage transactions and a map sketch reveal that a substantial house had been built in the Gothic Revival style, and the steeply pitched gables of that style may still be seen today on the north, east and south facades. The house originally faced east in 1860, toward Normal Street and downtown, and about 1860 it is assumed to have acquired its one story Italianate addition with a glassed—in front porch having round top storm windows and Tiffany type stained glass in Italianate windows. Before 1891, it acquired its Queen Anne verandah and tower. From 1865 to 1875, the house was owned by Civil War Captain Walter Beach and his wife, Martha. Their daughter, Sara Kate, and her husband, Frank Joslyn, owned it from 1875 to 1891. In 1867 and 1869, substantial mortages were taken out by the Beaches and it is assumed that the extensive front half of the present structure, with its imposing pinnacle tower was added at this time and the house made to face Summit Street. In 1891, the property was sold to Lizzie A. McLenahan, whose husband, Jacob, was a professor of penmanship at Cleary College. Records indicate that Jacob McLenahan, in 1893 had trim shipped from one of the dismantled buildings in the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he worked as a hotel clerk during his summer vacation from teaching. The Eastlake ornamentation we see today embellishing the porch may well be that trim. From that time on, however, “updating” of the house by subsequent owners ceased.
 
 

1984	1986
2002	2004