Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Duncan-Stiles House

Walking Tour Stop 6

Photographed By Shane Oliver, October 30, 2021

1. Duncan-Stiles House Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This grand three-story Federal-style house “was by far the most expensive private house ever built in Carlisle,” wrote James Hamilton, Jr. in the 1870s. It was planned and built, c. 1811, by Judge Thomas Duncan's wife as a dwelling for her son Stephen and his bride Miss Margaretta Stiles.

Marble stairs and a delicate iron railing lead up to the front door. Fluted pillars and a vaulted ceiling in the entry set off the curving staircase that leads to the third floor. Two large parlors occupy the first floor; the rear parlor is an oval with curved doors and windows. A Robert Welford mantel that stood in one of the parlors is now in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Sadly, Stephen Duncan's bride died less than three years after their marriage. Mr. Duncan moved to Philadelphia and sold the house to his brother-in-law, attorney Benjamin Stiles.

Stiles sold the house in 1840 to Rev. J.V.E. Thorn, an eccentric minister, and his equally eccentric wife Susan Hamilton, daughter of Judge James Hamilton. Mrs. Thorn often said that one of her expressed ambitions was “to see the devil just long enough

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to get his daguerreotype.” The Thorns were childless, and when Mrs. Thorn died in 1867 she bequeathed her fortune to religious and educational institutions.

Photographs courtesy of the Cumberland County Historical Society.

Erected by Historic Carlisle, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.

Location. 40° 12.07′ N, 77° 11.216′ W. Marker is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of High Street (Pennsylvania Route 74) and Bedford Street, on the right when traveling east on High Street. Marker and house are at the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Prison (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. William Irvine (within shouting distance of this marker); Carlisle Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. John Armstrong (within shouting distance of this marker); World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); John Bannister Gibson (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Douglass in Carlisle

Duncan-Stiles House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2009

2. Duncan-Stiles House and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Episcopal Square (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 7, 2010

3. Duncan-Stiles House Marker

Duncan-Stiles House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, October 30, 2021

4. Duncan-Stiles House

House is currently in use as an office building.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,257 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 29, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on September 10, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on December 19, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.