AL-VI-B-086 Mellos Log Cabin Architectural Survey File This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse- chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation such as photographs and maps. Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment. All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust. Last Updated: 05-13-2019 AL -\Jl-"E>-086 Addendum to Inventory No.~ Maryland Historical Trust Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form Page 1 of 2 Name of Property: Mellos Log Cabin Location: 84 E. Main Street (Maryland Route 36), Lonaconing Described below is some updated information about the Mellos Log Cab in since the last survey form was completed in February 1977: 3. Owner of the Property Eileen B. Lewis 84 E. Main Street Lonaconing, MD 21539-1125 7. Description and 8. Significance A field survey was conducted of the Mellos Log Cabin on September 7, 2017 to record changes to the integrity and condition of the resource. The residence was historically owned by the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company, a major manufacturer contributing to the development and success of Lonaconing as a center of the iron, coal, and silk industries in the George's Creek valley of Western Maryland during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 1 John Ferguson Somerville acquired the surveyed property from the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company in 1907. Somerville then sold the parcel two years later to Richard T. and Jean Spears for $2000. Richard was a widower living in Delaware County when he sold the property to Elkin Read in 1922. Edward and Jennie Stevenson obtained the parcel in 1936 and lived at the residence. Ownership then transferred to the Stevensons' daughter, Pearl S. Mello2 and her husband Joseph 0. Mello. Joseph passed away in 1983. After Pearl died two years later, Eileen B. Lewis and her late husband Dale R. purchased the surveyed property.3 The residence continues to be occupied as a single-family residence by Mrs. Lewis . Since the Lewis's acquired the property, they have continually maintained and made some alterations to the residence which was historically extensively altered, resulting in its current late nineteenth century appearance. The exterior weatherboarding, recorded during the 1977 survey, has been covered with vinyl siding. The windows have replacement vinyl sashes. The Lewis's also added gingerbread deta ils to the fac;:ade roofline, on top the gable peak fasciae, and as brackets at the porch columns. The roof has new asphalt shingles,4 and a rectangular vented opening at the fac;:ade gable end has been concealed with vinyl siding. The front porch's wood columns and floor are original to the late nineteenth century construction, and the doors and screen doors have not been replaced since the 1977 survey. The log 1 Mark R. Edwards and Ellen K. Coxe, "Lonaconing Historic Di strict," National Reg is ter of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, Washington, DC: United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, October 1981, Item number 7, Page 17. 2 Owner of 82 E. Main Street, personal interview with author, 7 September 2017. 3 Various Allegany County Land Record s, access ed at www.mdlandrec.net. 4 Eileen Lewis, personal interview with author, 7 September 2017. Prepared by: Christeen Taniguchi, RK&K, LLP Date: September 8, 2017 AL-Vl-"B-086 Addendum to Inventory No. -Al::-¥f.r8w8&- Maryland Historical Trust Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form Page 2 of 2 Name of Property: Mellos Log Cabin Location: 84 E. Main Street (Maryland Route 36), Lonaconing walls of the original house still exist, embedded in the late nineteenth century alterations. The building integrity of design, materials, and workmanship is fair as the late nineteenth centu ry single-family residence that stands today. In addition to the single-family residence, there is a circa mid-twentieth century one-car garage located to the east of the residence. The building has a rectangular plan. It is clad with the same vinyl siding as the residence, and also has gingerbread details along the fa~ade roofline. The garage door is a recent installation. The garage has fair integrity. The previous ribbon driveway connecting the garage to the road has been replaced with asphalt paving, and a shed that was attached to the north elevation of the garage was removed by the Lewis's and replaced with the current deck.5 A mature tree on the front lawn and low bushes bordering the front of the house have been removed since the 1977 survey. The individual buildings and the property overall are in excellent condition. The property's surroundings remain generally similar, with other nineteenth and early twentieth century residences located nearby. However, a stone house across the street was recently demolished to build a Dollar General store and its associated parking lot. 6 The red brick McCormick House (MIHP# AL-VI -B- 085), likely a former George's Creek Coal and Iron Company superintendent's residence, stands next door to the north. Both buildings are contributing elements to the National Register of Historic Places­ listed Lonaconing Historic District (MIHP# AL-VI -B-113) . The property's integrity of setting, feeling, and association is good to excellent. 9. Major Bibliographical References Allegany County Land Records, accessed at www.mdlandrec.net. Byrnes, Monsignor Paul (Brother of Mrs. Lewis) . Personal interview with author, 7 September 2017. Edwards, Mark R. and Ellen K. Coxe. " Lonaconing Historic District," National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form . Washington, DC: United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, October 1981. Lewis, Eileen. Personal interview with author, 7 September 2017. Owner of 82 E. Main Street. Personal interview with author, 7 September 2017. 5 Lewis, op. cit. 6 Ibid. Prepared by: Christeen Taniguchi, RK&K, LLP Date: September 8, 2017 A\..-Vl--e -08b MIHP# Al-'lil•B•86- Photo Log Mellos Log Cabin 84 E. Main Street (Maryland Route 36} Lonaconing, Allegany County, Maryland Photographer: Christeen Taniguchi Date: September 7, 2017 # Digital Image File Name Description of View 1 AL-VI -B-0086_2017-09-07 _01.tif View northeast at the fa<;:ade 2 AL-VI -B-0086_2017-09-07 _02.tif View southeast at the fa<;:ade and north elevation 3 AL-VI-B-0086_2017-09-07 _03.tif View northwest at the east (rear) elevation 4 AL-VI -B-0086_2017-09-07 _04.tif Deta iled view east at the fa<;:ade front porch 5 AL-Vl -8-0086- 2017-09-07 - 05.tif Detailed view northeast of the wraparound front porch 6 AL-VI-B-0086_2017-09-07 _06.tif Detailed view northwest at the east elevation porch 7 AL-VI-B-0086_2017-09-07 _07.tif View east at the garage fa<;:ade 8 AL-VI-B-0086_2017-09-07 _08.tif View south at the backyard, with the residence to the right, and the garage and deck in the background. Georges Creek is located to the left of the wood fence 9 AL-VI-B-0086_2017-09-07 _09.tif View north at Georges Creek from the garage of the surveyed property 10 AL-VI -B-0086_2017-09-07 _10.tif View northeast, with the surveyed residence to the right and the McCormick House to the left 11 AL-Vl -8-0086_2017-09-07 _11.tif View southeast along E. Main Street, with the surveyed residence to the left Prints: Processing - RA-4 Paper - Fuj icolor Crystal Archive Professional Paper (Super Type CN) DVD-R Gold: Verbatim, Ultra Life Gold, Metal Azo dye MELLOS LOG CABIN AL-VI-8-086 84 E. Main Street, Lonaconing ca. 1840 The original portion of the Mellos House is a two room, log cabin that was probably constructed during the first half of the 19th century to serve as housing for an employee of the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company. The house was remodeled extensively during the late 19th century and it is now a two story frame building with a wrap-around porch. AL-VI-8-086 s~o'\ MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST 6\0.,,,,,,~ INVENTORY FORM FOR STATE HISTORIC SITES SURVEY 6NAME HISTORIC Mellos Log Cabin AND/OR COMMON flLOCATION STREET & NUMBER 84 E. Main Street CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Lonaconing L VICINITY OF Sixth STATE COUNTY Mary la pd All er;;iapy DcLASSIFICATION CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS PRESENT USE _DISTRICT _PUBLIC XoccuP1rn _AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM XBulLDING(Sl XPRIVATE _UNOCCUPIED _COMMERCIAL __ PAilK _STRUCTURE _BOTH _WORK IN PROGRESS _EDUCATIONAL _}(PRIVATE RESIDENCE _SITE PUBLIC ACQUISITION ACCESSIBLE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS _OBJECT _IN PROCESS _YES RESTRICTED __ GOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC _BEING CONSIDERED _YES UNRESTRICTED _INDUSTRIAL _ TRANSPOPTA °''0" ,X_NO _MILITARY _OTHER DOWNER OF PROPERTY NAME ________,,,J'--'''---"OLl.'--'-M"'"e'"'l_.l ..... nu:s.____ ________________T_e 1 ephone # : STREET & NUMBER 84 E. Main Street CITY. TOWN STATE, Zlp code Lonaconing --* v1c1N1TY OF Marylapd 21539 IJLOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION Liber #: 152 COURTHOUSE. Folio #: 255 REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC Allegany County Courthouse STREET & NUMBER 30 Washington Street CITY.