Thank you for making Rustbelt Preservationist launch a success in 2014 !

The launch of Rustbelt Preservationist this year has exceeded all our expectations thanks to you. Many homes covered here are now sold, and based on feedback received from realtors, because they saw it here.

More importantly, we have made a historic preservation difference with this blog and that was our intent from day one.

2015 Proves to be an exciting year of improvements and changes to this blog and hopefully we can look back in 2015 and see what a difference we have made in promoting preservation in the Midwest.

We hope you will continue reading this blog and posting it to Facebook and Pinterest so others can find out about it and discover all the great architecture found in the 'rustbelt' !

We hope you have great new year and please be safe this evening as you do not want to see these guys! Thanks again from Rustbelt Preservationist!

Preservation Envy: 200 Park Ave, Galena IL

They do not get much more Victorian than this. A delightful towered bayed Victorian with Interior to match.

Great  staircase with exceptional Newel Post. Parlors with great woodwork and unique fireplaces.  This home is antiques ready although we would pull it back a bit and get some more historic wallpapers.

5 Bedroom , 6 Bath , 3264 sq feet and priced at 299,900. That less than a condo apartment in many cities!  More info and a ton of photos here! 200 Park Ave

Midwest Mansions: 2221 E Main St, Richmond IN

We normally start these posts with an exterior shot but given the superlative interior of this mansion I had to lead with an interior.

2221 E Main St Richmond is a grand colonial revival mansion with porte cochere and some of the finest interiors we have seen.

This amazing house is 4700 sq Ft  4 bedroom,4 full baths and 2 1/2 baths and sits on a 1 acre lot!

All this for a bargain price of 350K! More info: 2221 E Main

Holiday Schedule

Thanks to everyone who visit Rustbelt Preservationist! Its Holiday time and for the next few days posts will be limited but we hope you have a great holiday.

Thanks for reading this Blog.

Midwest Preservation Bargain: 203 N Main St , Utica Ohio

What was built in 1826 and over 3400 sq foot. Its also bargain priced at only 65,000.00.

Really Chunky Empire Mantle

Interesting window, I wonder if it had stained glass?

We like the big chunky empire mantel in this one and the second floor landing. These early houses are really are to find these days.



Huge entrance hall

This grand old home sits on  1/3 acre , has 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bath.

Great Beadboard Wainscot in this room

More info and lots of photos: 203 Main

Preservation Envy: Colonial Revival ,324 S. Market St , Troy OH

We feature mostly Victorian era homes here but we know some of you are big Colonial Revival fans and when we came across this one we just couldn't resist!

This house has a great street presence and its interior is updated and impeccably decorated for a home of this style.

Large kitchen , with lots of cabinets. This home has mixed use zoning which will permit office and home use.

Priced at 259,900. More information : 324 S Market

Friday Fix: Great Midwest homes, 25K or less

Friday fix is here! Time to relax and look at some bargain properties. Some may need a little and some may need a lot but all represent great opportunities for those on a budget.

101 Harriot is in Oil City Pa. If one can picture it with a correct front porch like the side porch would have a very different street presence. Currently a duplex this homes ready to return back to single family elegance. Well priced at 17,900.00

More Info101 Harriot

102 S Main in Pleasant Hill Ohio, is a generous sized Italianate in need of a preservation minded buyer, 4 bedrooms  and lots f space this home has great potential and is priced at only 15,900.

More info: 102 S Main

531 E Wyandotte St in Freeport Il is a sleeper. Astute readers will note the arched window tops and the wider doorway. This is an early cottage, probably 1870's, based on the Newel and stairs.

Great opportunity here on this one and it would make a great restoration for an empty nester looking to scale back . Bargain priced at 8500.00! 3 bedrooms 1 bath 1500 sq ft and it has a garage

More info:  531 E Wyandotte

Our Friday Fix Banner home is located in Tipton Indiana at 316 N Independence St. This 2900 + sq foot home was previously converted to a 3 unit and has been taken back to single family but more work remains to be done. Priced at 24,900 we think it represents a great value and a good starting point to restoration.

Very nice staircase, this home has big rooms, lots of woodwork and great old steam heat radiators.

More info: 316 N independence

NEW SERIES: Mansion Fixers: 228 E. Center St, Marion OH

From time to time we will feature "Mansion Fixers" a new series that highlights formerly grand mansion that are on the market and in serious need of a "preservation minded" individual to return them to their former glory.

Such is the case with this home which obviously in its day was a high style Italianate mansion. 14 rooms and over 3500 sq feet, it is currently 4 apartments and appears that at one time it was commercial as well.

Priced at 65K we suspect it could be bought for less. One could move into one of the apartments and gradually restore it back to single family or perhaps as a live work business.

More information: 228 E Center St

Midwest Preservation Bargains: 224 S Detroit St , Bellefountaine Ohio

If you dream is big old Italianate Mansion in quiet town then 224 S Detroit in Bellfountaine Ohio may be just what you are dreaming of.

This 5 Bedroom , 4 Bath, 3378 Sq foot home has new roof in 2012 and includes two parcels.

Currently 4 units, this once grand home is awaiting new owner to turn her back to her original single family home. Priced at only 59,900 the owner will entertain all offers.

More info: 224 Detroit

Midwest Mansions: 113 Innis St, Oil City PA

Looking for a grand center hall free Classic mansion? Something with a grand staircase perhaps? Look no further than 113 Innis St in Oil City PA. Oil City is a small town in NW PA, that you guessed it, is based on the Oil trade. As a result Oil City is filled with Grand mansions built in the Victorian era .

And Grand this home is; 4 bedrooms 4 baths, 4318 square feet and their is an attic with more rooms, Large double parlors, Formal Dining, rooms on top of rooms.

What the realtor says: From the detailed woodwork, to the oval dining room, the charm of this turn of the century Victorian home will astound you. The grand foyer, with one of the six fireplaces, leads to the stairway with an arched bench sitting area, or travel on up to 4 bedrooms and 1 3/4 baths on the second floor. Need more room...there are 3 additional rooms and a full bath on the third floor.

What we say: All this and a price of 99,900.00 Time to pack you bags!

More info on this grand Midwest mansion; 113 Innis St

Preservation Envy: 2039 Main Street, Richmond IN

Comfortably gorgeous best describes this great Queen Anne Victorian. currently a B&B it could be continued that way or it would make an elegant single family residence.

Considerable elegance abound as you enter with the grand staircase. All the rooms are comfortable furnished in period furniture and accessories so you do not have to wonder what your treasured antiques might look like in this home as it is more than ready for them.

Stained Glass, fantastic woodwork we are envious of whomever the next owner will be. Offered at 350K. More information : 2039 Main

Friday Fix ! Great Historic Homes 25K or less!

Happy weekend ! Here we are with another Friday Fix to slow you down from all that last minute holiday shopping. Some houses need a little, some need a lot, all are priced at 25K or less,

Its rare, if not impossible to find a home in Holy Cross in Indianapolis for less than 150K, a vacant lot sells for 30-60K so finding a house, albeit a small one, for 13K is  a miracle. This will not last long . 2 bedrooms, this home needs work but should be well worth the effort and there is room to expand in back. 1614 Market is just minutes to downtown and walking distance to the new Angie's List Corporate Campus. Now that Arsenal Heights has combined with Holy Cross we expect property values will rise rapidly there.

More info: 1614 Market st, Indianapolis

1025 S Galena in Freeport IL was once a grand home and it could be again. Priced at 11,000.00 it is at a low enough acquisition cost to make restoration well worthwhile. 4 Bedroom ,2 Bath and over 2700 square feet, Natural woodwork and hardwood floors.  The basics are here and ready for restore.

More info: 1025 S Galena

222 Washington Ave in Greenville Ohio is 3900  square feet, 5 bedroom and 3 1/2 Baths. A VA foreclosure is bargain priced at 23,000 and you'd be hard pressed to find this much home for the money. It needs a lot of work but the upside is there in this classic Brick Italianate.

More Info: 222 Washington Ave

This is our banner home and we are amazed someone has not scooped up this Geo Barber designed Victorian. priced at 19,900 in Carey Ohio. This house has 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths 3158 sq feet.

Its ready for  a wallpaper redo and better exterior paint colors but if small town living is your thing, this would be a great place to call home! I admit to be really tempted on this one.

More info and photos: 329 W Findlay St