Classic American foursquare house in Erie's Kahkwa area has history, Italianate details
A century-old brick charmer sits on a corner lot in Erie's Kahkwa neighborhood, with rafter tails surrounding the front porch to add a little Italianate style to the classic American foursquare house.
"It's very charming and historical, too," said Kathy Scheider, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Select, Realtors.
Built in 1923 when Calvin Coolidge was president and only a few years after World War I and the great flu pandemic, the house at 455 Kahkwa Blvd. has a bit of its own history hanging in the dining room. On one wall are three framed blueprints, showing the front of the "residence for Mr. C.W. Bach" as well as the first floor plan and second floor plan.
The 2,904-square-foot house has had several owners over the years and despite new windows and wiring and an updated kitchen, has maintained the glamour of a bygone era, including wood floors throughout.
"It's been well preserved," Scheider said.
The 16-by-14-foot living room has a gas fireplace as does the 15-by-8 den beside it, which can be entered through French doors off the living room and dining room. The blueprints refer to the den as a "sun parlor." There's a breakfast room and half bath behind the dining room and kitchen, which has granite countertops.
The second floor features four bedrooms, two front and two back, which the blueprints refer to as "chambers." One of the back bedrooms has its own full bathroom, with a marble shower. The other back bedroom has a smaller room off it that might have once been a nursery or could be an office, Scheider said. Both bedrooms have a laundry chute. The front bedrooms have a connecting door and storage space between them. The larger of the two also has an ornamental fireplace while the smaller has original glass light fixtures. There's also another full bathroom on the second floor.
The third floor has a large landing area that could be used for play space. There's also a bedroom, a full bathroom and storage space.
Scheider said the home is heated by a hot water boiler, which is efficient and keeps the interior moist even in winter. She said there isn't central air but the house is close enough to Presque Isle Bay to catch summer breezes.
In addition to the front porch, the property on .19 of an acre has a back deck, fenced-in yard and two-car brick garage.
The house was recently offered for sale for $390,000 and Scheider said is now under contract. Annual property taxes are $9,004.
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Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Classic Kahkwa Blvd. house in Erie has history, Italianate details
