Ron Larson will restore Stone Eagle Farm
This description is based on information
compiled by the Avon Historical Society.
An article in the October 2, 1974, issue of The Press observed that the house "has been entered in the U. S. Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places." It was remarked that the structure is "an unusually fine example of a stone masonry house in the Greek Revival style." Built on over 600 acres on Detroit Road, the house at one tine was the largest on Cleveland's west side. It remained in the Hurst family until 1946.
Called "Stone Eagle Farm," the handsome stone residence is easily spotted by the cast eagle atop the roof. The National Register is designed to focus nation-wide public attention on important landmarks and help guarantee their preservation. The Hurst Home has proven to be well worth preserving.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF AVON, OHIO, TO 1974
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NEWS ARTICLE from The Press, 7-26-06, By Rebecca Turman
``Stone Eagle Farm may get beauty rest as a bed and breakfast
AVON -- Built in 1843, it's survived three generations of the Hurst family (of England), was a mink farm from 1946-49 and was the Tomes' family home for more than 50 years before sitting abandoned for about three years.
With the question of how to preserve the William E. Hurst Home (Stone Eagle Farm), 33065 Detroit Road, hanging in the balance the past couple years, there is finally an answer. Ron Larson, owner of the Tree House Gallery and Tea Room and developer of Olde Avon Village, hopes to preserve the historical home as a bed and breakfast ...
"Mr. Larson has stepped up to preserve it," Planning Coordinator Jim Piazza said at the Planning Commission meeting July 19. "He'll put it back to the way it should be on the inside. He has stepped up and put his money where his thoughts are. It's a great solution for the city."
The house, which was built by for $643 by two stonecutter brothers from Elyria, would be perfectly preserved as a high-end, classy B&B, Larson said.
"I've always admired the house," Larson said. "I think a B&B offers it to the public where they can come in and enjoy the house rather than just driving by it." Larson said that this will help preserve the building, which is one of three in Avon on the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places; put on the list in 1974. The other two homes on the list are the Wilbur Cahoon House on Stoney Ridge Road and the Henry Harrison Williams House on Detroit Road.
"It's on the national registry, and I think it's a unique, if not the most unique, house in Avon," he said.
For Larson, planning to transform the house into a B&B has been going on for approximately a year now. While he is anxious to get started, the operation will be costly, he said.
"Everything is contingent on me getting all the way through (council)," he said. "I'm trying to do the best I can with the economics I have." If council approves the B&B transformation, this would be the only bed and breakfast in the area ...
With a variance granted from the Zoning Board, Larson will utilize six rooms in the B&B for guests to stay in, though B&Bs in Avon are generally only allowed three. He will be using existing rooms, not adding on, he said. He wants to maintain the home as is, though he plans to put in larger bathrooms in the house and create spacious suites for guests.
"Anything I find historically significant, I will try and save," Larson said at the Zoning Board meeting July 12 [2006]. At the Zoning Board meeting July 12, George Bliss, who lives next door to the house said, "We are happy that something good is happening to the property."
As far as the area surrounding the house, parking will be behind the house to the east, beyond the carriage house. To the west of the house, where Larson said is heavily secluded with vegetation already, he hopes to possibly create an Avon memorial garden and dedicate it to the early settlers of Avon.
Though the eagle that sat atop the house, and gave the house/property its name, was damaged, Larson said the fixture would "be restored to its roots and it (the B&B will) be called Stone Eagle Farm."
Another interesting fact about the house was that when Thomas Hurst came to Avon from England, he took ivy from Shakespeare's property and the ivy is still growing today on the east corner of the property, Larson said. All of the little details about the property create a story, Larson said.
"And the story is the house," he said. "To me, it's a trophy, and it could be a trophy for the city." "We will represent the Hurst family as best as we can. The history will be there."
The Greek Revival style house was originally built on more than 600 acres on Detroit Road and was considered to be on the of the largest homes on the Cleveland's west side. The Schafer developing company currently owns the house, and Larson will work with them once council finalizes an approval. "The most important part is saving the house now," Larson said.
Down the line, Larson plans to tie the B&B to the Olde Avon Village. Guests can stay at the B&B, have brunch at the Tree House, browse through the shops and have dinner at Henry's, Larson said ...
Larson wants the B&B to be a place where even Avon residents would want to stay and where they would recommend family and friends stay at when they are visiting. Overall, transforming the historic home into a B&B will, "give flavor to the community," Larson said.
Larson will present his plans for the B&B in front of council during the next work session, August 7 [2006].''
For more information, see www.stoneeaglefarm.com/i
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF AVON, OHIO, TO 1974
If you would like to contribute information on this home, please email: tjs11@centurytel.net
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