An Ideal Investment

Historic HA Whitney Investment Properties

The home was crafted in 1968 by Alonzo H Whitney. It exemplifies the early Italianate style that was popular in Columbus in the mid-19th century. Its cross-plan massing and unornamented, widely overhanging eaves are typical adaptations of the style. The house originally had small porches on either side of the front projection, with ornate porches on the south-east and north-east front corners. The current ornate front porch and decorative border glass in the windows, are late Victorian Additions.

Alonzo H Whitney, son of Henry A. Whitney, received his start managing his father’s farms. “Lon” as he was known, later became a private money lender and was in the real estate business. He was also Vice President of the newly formed and successful Columbus Canning Company. From its organization in 1900 until his death, Alonzo Whitney was civic minded and very well liked. He gave generously to the Fireman’s Park and donated the Memorial Chapel to Hillside Cemetery.

Next the home was owned and operated by the Zeidler and Albrecht families as residence, funeral home, and ambulance garage.

In the mid-1950’s Merton and Frances Walcott purchased the home from Mrs. Albrecht. They added the commercial space onto the north side of the building, modernized and expanded the attached two-garages and added a third taller stall. In addition to an efficiency apartment and spare bedroom above the attached garages, and a two car detached garage.

In 1976 John & Suzanne Walcott purchased the business and in 1986 purchased the entire property. They added a large natural light porch, with waterfall to the north-side of the large family recreation room, added a large air conditioning unit with ductwork, added a custom leaded glass entry door, new display windows, insulated and pitched the roof, modified the roof lines of the commercial space and back porch of the residence to match the Victorian style of the front porch, plus adding cat 6e, Gigabit computer wiring and Google Nest Pro WiFi throughout the building.

They also completely remodeled the residence, upgraded the electric service entrances, upgraded the wiring, remodeled and modernized the two upstairs executive apartments, and converted the efficiency apartment into a very busy, DIY bed and breakfast.

The property is ideally situated on or within blocks of 5 major state highways and a busy Amtrak station.

https://hawhitneyinvestmentproperties.com/