The Robert A. Friar House

The Robert A. Friar House. . , Built circa 1890, this graceful Victorian home was originally located on Washington Avenue, just north of the L&N Railroad. Its history began in April 1888 when Mrs. Lillie Geiger bought the property for $525. Ocean Springs Ward Two Alderman Peter Geiger lived here until his death in 1923. The property was then purchased from the Geiger Estate by Robert A. Friar for whom it is now named., Robert Friar was the Ocean Springs City Clerk as well as a clerk for the L&N Railroad. A widower with three young children, he moved his family into the home so they might be closer to the railroad company office. The Friars resided here until Robert's death in 1948. The home then went to the Friar daughters. Hilda and Naomi. When US Highway 90 was being rerouted in 1952, its new path took it right through the Friar property. So the Friar heirs had the house moved to a lot adjacent to new Highway 90., The Historic Ocean Springs Association called upon the O'Keefe family to relocate the structure. In keeping with their tradition of community service, the O'Keefes decided to save the Friar House for historic preservation purposes at a permanent location; so in 1989 the home was moved to 611 Jackson Avenue among the historical Avenue of Oaks along Porter Avenue. This location was once the site of the two-story private school and general store of James Lynch, who served as town clerk from 1919 to 1928. An historic site for an historic house., Now magnificently restored, the Robert A. Friar House serves as a proud symbol of Ocean Springs heritage.