An imposing residence situated on the corner of Washington Ave. and 9th St. is being restored by the current resident-owners, Bob and Viola (Brubaker) Dollar.
Our property comprises two lots: Borough lot 377 on the corner and lot 376 where the house is located. Our street address really should be 902 instead of 900, but 900 is how it was listed on the papers we signed at closing. The property is fronted by Washington Ave., and is bordered by 9th St. on the south side and Garden Alley at the rear.
The Deed Trail
With the assistance of attorney Ned Newlin, I researched the deed and learned that on August 6, 1878, S. C. Stewart and wife purchased the property. The previous owner is unknown. On December 15, 1883, lot 376 was transferred from J. Roberts Lowrie to William Lyon, Sallie, Roberts, and William Lowrie for $1. On December 5, 1884, lot 377 was transferred from J. Roberts Lowrie to Annie Cutter and husband. On June 22, 1886, lot 376 was transferred to William Lowrie. The Tyrone City Directory for 1888 listed the address as 16 Washington Ave.
On May 1, 1900, lot 377 was transferred from Annie Cutter to Charles L. Greek for $4500; on December 10, 1900 to T. J. Gates for $2725; and on December 12, 1900 to William Lowrie for $2705.
On October 24, 1945, lots 376 and 377 were transferred from Sara Lowrie Love, Mary Lowrie-Clark, and William Lowrie Jr. to Joseph and Margaret Hagg for $6500. In February 2002, lots 376 and 377 transferred from Primo Lusardi to Robert and Viola Dollar.
Dr. Lowrie’s Office
William L. Lowrie, M.D. had used the premises for his office, where he continuously practiced medicine for nearly forty years, starting in 1886.
When we purchased the house, it had been renovated into two apartments: one upstairs and one down. I don’t know when this was done; I suspect it was when Dr. Lowrie bought it and began his practice here.
We’ve tried to restore the house to its original floor plan. There are a few changes we know had been made. From a postcard circa 1910, we know the front porch isn’t original, but we don’t know when it was changed or how many doors opened from it.
The Lowrie Family
John Lowrie (1750-1840), son of Joseph Laurie and Jean McGlie, was born at Hills Castle, near Dumfries, Scotland. He came to this country in 1793 in search of lead. He married Catherine Cameron, who was born in the Highlands of Scotland. They had twelve children, one being the Honorable Walter Lowrie (1784-1868). After sixteen years in the U.S. Senate, Walter Lowrie resigned to become the first head of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.
J. Roberts Lowrie, who resided in the mansion at Warriors Mark, was born March 16, 1823. He attended the University of New York and Lafayette College, and in 1842, graduated from Jefferson College with highest honors. In the spring of 1854, failing health compelled him to relinquish active legal practice and he moved from Hollidaysburg to Warriors Mark, having accepted the position of legal advisor to the firm of Lyon, Shorb and Company.
William Lyon Lowrie, M.D. (1859-1945), married Bertha Finney. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Dr. Lowrie practiced for sixty-two years.
Surprises and Discoveries
Several surprises were in store for us after we purchased the house. There is a fireplace we didn’t know about, along with a back staircase. These were well- but not completely hidden. The fireplace downstairs had been walled over and the room made into a hallway, closet, and bathroom. The only indication of its existence was the chimney visible on the roof.
The back staircase is in the kitchen. Upstairs, the railing had been removed and a new floor covered the whole room, leaving no evidence of a stairwell. Downstairs, the door and frame had been removed and paneling covered the doorway. The stairs are in great condition, and after we removed the floor and paneling, we were able to use them.
When we moved in, every room of the house had suspended ceilings. We didn’t know until after closing that three of the rooms, as well as the entryway, had plaster molding around the ceiling and medallions in the center — all in very good condition.
All of the floors except the entryway had carpet, two or three layers of linoleum, 5/8-inch plywood, and 5/8-inch flake board on them. When we removed all this material, we found good subfloors, and three rooms had the original oak hardwood flooring still intact.
We did find it interesting when we replaced the brick sidewalk along the house, that the base for it wasn’t gravel or sand but eighteen inches of fine coal.
John Hamilton Visits
Recently, we had a visit from John Hamilton, a gentleman who lived in the house from the mid-1930s to the mid-1970s. We took him on a tour, and he answered several questions we’ve been pondering.
He told us of a second door onto the front porch. It led directly into Dr. Lowrie’s waiting room — a very small area. His office was in the present downstairs bedroom and bathroom. The back stairway never had a railing. It was enclosed by a wall with a small closet over it that was accessed from a bedroom.
The most exciting thing John told us is what might make this the perfect house. I’ve always been disappointed that we have no pocket doors. He told us that beveled glass pocket doors had been located between the library and living room that his grandfather removed.
The picture in my mind was a bit fuzzy, but Bob and I really have brought it into focus. Although we haven’t always enjoyed the work, we’re at least satisfied with our efforts! We still plan to redo the front steps, put on a new and slightly larger back porch, and add one more bathroom.
Note: Since the writing of this article, we’ve learned that our newly installed iron fence, minus the finials and the two tall gate posts, originally surrounded the Anderson Mansion, on S. Lincoln Ave. Andy Rohrabaugh did plumbing work at the mansion for the previous owner, Mrs. Edward G. Hooker. When the property was sold to Epworth Manor, he removed the fence to his home on Washington Ave.
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