04/11/2026
THE BUILDING OF THE KERR HOUSE (first in a series)
The Kerr House, located in Grand Rapids Ohio, is a pristine example of Queen Anne Victorian architectural design. This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and remains virtually unchanged since it was built by the Kerr Family in the 1880's.
Designed by E.O. Fallis, groundbreaking occurred in 1880 and the home was completed in 1883. The structure has exterior walls that are four bricks thick and interior walls that are three bricks thick. These bricks were formed in an oven located at the back of the lot with materials excavated from what would become the home's basement. The original roof was slate with Scottish terra cotta ridge caps. Exterior trim and porches are wood with three porches built on the front, back and side of the house.
The interior of the home features eleven foot ceilings, eight foot doors including two sets of pocket doors, four hand-carved fireplaces and two original stained glass windows. It is said that a master carpenter and two apprentices lived on-site for a full year while completing the interior woodwork carved from white oak, red oak, cherry, butternut, ash and buckeye. The first floor “Christian” door patterns are unique to the home with magnificent original iron hardware still intact. The home was built with running water, heated floors, servants quarters and two bathrooms. Family rooms include a library, formal parlor, informal sitting room, dining room, kitchen, children’s nursery and five bedrooms. The home is approximately 6,000 square feet including the basement, two floors for living quarters, and the attic space.
