AUBURN, N.Y. – There is something impressive about people who take on the challenge of an historic home.
They often pour their heart and their soul into these houses and give those places of history a second chance at being spectacular.
Greg Rigby, a native of Auburn, brought his fiancée, Carole, to the home of his friend at 124 Owasco Street in 1979 when they had just gotten engaged.
She fell in love with it. When it hit the market in 1987, they bought it.
“It was such an interesting house,” she said. “There were a lot of repairs to do.”
Carole jokes that she and her husband were “young and foolish” to take on the “big endeavor.” The couple admit that the 33-year project they embarked on, one that is not entirely finished, has been a “labor of love and also a pain in the butt.”
(They admit that there have been “hiatuses” in their remodeling work.)
Former Secretary of State and Auburn native William Seward's name appeared on the deed as executor of the home at 124 Owasco Street. Courtesy of Greg Rigby.Courtesy of Greg Rigby
The home dates back to the 1820s and the deed has the name of Auburn’s favorite son, William H. Seward, on it as the property’s executor.
The house was built in sections throughout the 19th century becoming what you see today in the photos in 1890.
Much of the home is original, like the foyer’s circular staircase and plaster medallions in the ceiling. The sink and clawfoot bathtub in the updated upstairs bathroom are believed to be original to the house.
The Rigby’s extended the front porch, lifted the house up and replaced the foundation, put on a new roof, updated the electrical and plumbing, and installed new water and sewer lines.
It took “26 man-weeks” to put all-new siding on the house. They managed to match the color scheme and keep the original wood brackets on the many front windows.
Inside, the home keeps much of the home’s charm and authenticity while being updated to match today’s tastes.
The kitchen was updated, and an open floor concept was used to incorporate the new “bright and cheery” family room.
The couple say it is a great room to sit and relax and to entertain guests.
Greg, a Green Bay Packer fan, and shareholder (he owns one share of team stock, he jokes) enjoys watching football on a large flatscreen television over the gas fireplace.
The couple had an artist create for them a painting which can be pulled down over the screen to maintain the authentic feel of the house when the TV is not in use.
The home’s upstairs has six bedrooms and has many “quirks” often seen in older homes, like a small staircase leading up to a bedroom door and walk-through closets which connects two bedrooms.
The lovingly maintained home sits on three city lots, a rarity for Auburn. The property is “park-like” and quiet and serene. There is plenty of room for kids to play games and the back patio off the kitchen makes outdoor entertaining a breeze.
The Rigby’s are torn about having to sell the home they have worked so hard over the years in restoring. But they want to spend some time in a warmer climate.
Owners Greg and Carole Rigby discovered the signatures of people from 1918 while remodeling. Courtesy of Lee Holmes.Courtesy of Lee Holmes
They hope that the home is purchased by someone who appreciates it as they have.
“If you give it the love and attention it demands,” Greg said, “you will get it back in spades.”
“The memories will never be replaced.”
For more information about this home, please contact realtor Lee Holmes, of Howard Hanna Real Estate Service. His information is below.
THE DETAILS
Address: 124 Owasco Street, Auburn, N.Y. 13021
Price: $233,900
Size: 3,630 square feet
Acreage: 0.62 acres
Monthly Mortgage: $792 (based on this week’s national average rate of 3.03 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)
Taxes: $2,254 (Based on assessed value of $154,300)
Built: 1890
School District: Auburn
Kitchen: Carole Rigby calls the updated kitchen a “very good one to work in.” She appreciates the incredible amount of storage in the space, especially the drawers on either side of the stove. There is a breakfast bar overlooking the stove and a pantry area. It was a stainless gas range and refrigerator. French doors in the kitchen lead to the back patio.
Living areas: Much of this Colonial home, which was built in sections between 1820 and 1890, has been remodeled and updated by the owners. The front foyer is two stories and features an original circular staircase. The home features a bright new family room on the back of the house. It has black walnut floors made from planks made from trees cut from the property. There is radiant heating there. The formal dining room is “a beautiful room” to entertain guests. Carole often hosts parties of a dozen women there. The home’s original living room has not been finished. Greg Rigby loves his home office to work in or read. The family room has a gas burning fireplace. There are two non-working original coal fireplaces.
Bedrooms: There are six bedrooms on the second floor of the house, four of which have been redone. The rooms are spacious. The “master” has two walk-in closets. The owner’s daughter’s bedroom has custom-made built-in storage units.
Bathrooms: There are three bathrooms in the house, all of which have been remodeled. The main bathroom upstairs has an original clawfoot tub and sink.
Outdoors: The home is built on three city lots and has plenty of space to move around on. The owner’s son played baseball and soccer with his friends on the grounds. The shaded back patio is peaceful and private. The lawn has mature plantings. The home has a new roof, foundation, siding, and water and sewer lines. A two-story, detached two-car garage holds two cars and has plenty storage space.
Agent: Lee Holmes
Howard Hanna Real Estate Service
Address: 161 East Genesee Street, Auburn, N.Y. 13021
Phone: (315) 729-7713
Email: leeholmes@howardhanna.com
Website: www.holmestohomes.com
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