Historic Greek Revival home in Thomas Edison’s hometown asks $875,000

Patty and Robert DeLand were salvaging original pieces on the second floor of their newly purchased 177-year-old home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and previously abandoned for 20 years.

Then they heard an odd sound: “Plop, plop, plop. ... The brick wall between the living room and the dining room was collapsing,” Patty said in an interview with Homes.com.

There were other issues, too, that forced the couple to shed "gallons of tears" and question their purchase of the 3,775-square-foot Mitchell Turner House in the small town of Milan, Ohio — the birthplace of Thomas Edison. The famed inventor's boyhood home is a half mile away.

The three-bedroom, three-and-one-half bathroom home at 128 S. Center St. is on the market for $875,000 after a $1.2 million investment by the DeLands to turn the crumbling structure into a charming, updated, and expanded residence.

The Mitchell Turner House anchors Milan’s six-house Mitchell Historic District. The house features resounding Greek Revival architecture, characterized by four two-story ionic columns and intricately carved anthurium leaves around the front door and windows. A dentil cornice wraps the entire brick structure’s roof.

The Mitchell Turner House gets its name not from the original homeowner, as is often the case with historic properties, but from the owner of the land that was annexed by the town of Milan, according to the National Register documents. A young local builder named Zenas King built the home. He later went on to build and engineer bridges, running the country’s largest bridge-building firm in the 1880s.

In 2016, the DeLands were in search of a property to turn into a quaint bed and breakfast, something reminiscent of Robert’s stays throughout New England. That search led them all the way from Florida to Milan, a population of 1,200, located about 58 miles outside of Cleveland. Although the couple plans to relocate closer to family and retire from the inn, they describe Milan as “like living in a Hallmark movie.”

The floor joists were essentially disintegrated, and the house had been occupied by chipmunks, squirrels and bats, but a structural engineer promised the home’s integrity remained. The DeLands placed their best and final offer upon the agent's request soon after. That $141,000 purchase ultimately resulted in more than $1 million being spent on the rehab project.

“To my eye, there was nothing holding the house up. That put us back a year and a lot of money. … The day of closing, the furnace blew,” said Robert.

The reconstruction, with the last leg of adding a large primary suite wing to house the DeLands separately from any of their guests, wrapped up just this year. There are no more missing joists and Swiss cheese walls, or incidents of falling through the floor, which the DeLands each did, separately.

“I was carrying a cup of hot tea, but I didn’t spill!” said Patty about her surprise floor collapse.

The couple opened their business, called the White Dog Bed and Breakfast, after their beloved West Highland terrier Q-Tip, in 2022, after COVID-19 pandemic delays.

Being listed on the National Register protects the exterior, and the DeLands took a careful approach in restoring its intricate carvings and notable pillars.

“Even with the new construction, we followed the markers that were there,” said Robert.

The homeowners applied for variances to build a new garage and outhouse that would replace a dilapidated carriage house.

Inside, homeowners can do what they wish.

“The prior owners had updated the kitchen and one half bath. … They had gone midcentury modern. It was so out of character for the home. We were careful to put in what would match Greek Revival,” said Patty.

The interiors feature crown molding and trim work to mimic the original details, long lost to termites and wood damage. There are modern design choices mixed in, such as Shaker-style cabinets in the kitchen topped with Greek Revival-inspired trim. The chandeliers and wall sconces are reminiscent of candlelit fixtures. All bedrooms include an attached bath, and the primary wing features a fireplace and walk-in closet with built-ins.

There’s an office, living room, family room and formal dining area on the main level, while the second floor hosts the two bedrooms. A sitting room replaced two previous bedrooms but now provides guests with their own hub. The three-car garage features a loft space that could be finished for additional living space, noted listing agent Amanda Carter of The Agency Cleveland.

Despite being designed for the working couple and out-of-towners, the layout could work well for a primary residence, added Carter.

“It’s a minor expense for the buyer if they wanted to assume the [bed and breakfast] license,” she said.

With eight years of construction and more than $1 million spent, the DeLands look back on their project with fondness, reflecting on the dozens upon dozens of stories from guests, such as a pair of sisters who’d reunite in Milan and stayed 13 times, or a couple who lived out at sea for seven years.

And then there were the dozens of “bombastic and really unique” breakfasts cooked, none — except one — being pancakes and eggs. Instead: squash blossoms, zucchini boats, cloud eggs with meringue and plenty of quiches.

“In between the tears, there’d be also moments of, ‘Look at what we’re doing. Look how gorgeous this is.’ … It took on a life of its own,” said Patty.