Exploring West Liberty History: Changing Styles

Exploring West Liberty History: Changing Styles. The George Bailey House #3. This photograph of Oleeta Bailey Gribble outside her home reveals the south side of the addition and wrap around porch which are currently painted their original colors., Many new houses built in the late 19th century included elaborate front porches. Older homes like the Bailey’s were often modernized with the addition of a new front porch., “The porch became the comfortable spot for a summer evening where the whole family could relax after dinner.” – Reynolds Price, In 1875, the George Bailey property listed as 112 E. Columbus Street was transferred to his daughter Oleeta. After her marriage to Joseph Gribble in 1879, they updated their brick house with a wooden addition on the east side and improvements throughout the interior. In 1909 Oleeta divided the property and sold Lot 16 to Ella Kirby Piatt who built a house there., Architectural advice in the 1930s and 1940s reversed advice of previous generations, saying; “The best way to modernize your home is to tear off the old-fashioned porch and add a simple modern stoop.” – Sharon Farraro The Bailey descendants followed this trend, What would you do to change the style of your home?