Historic House Seven Gables Torn Down
The talk of Put-in-Bay Island in July was the tearing down of the historic house “Seven Gables” cottage in the Shore Villas subdivision just east of Perry’s Monument. The historic house, named for its seven gables and canopies over the windows and doors, was built in 1885, according to tax records. President Howard Taft stayed at the home when he visited the island.
Fifty years ago, Larry Gazzola, a well-known summer person, owned the home. The recent owners were the late Scott, Linda Buttrey, Jerry, and Lana Sluss. The new owners, Ed, and Wendy Pesicka, purchased the home last June for $552,000, according to the Ottawa County Auditor’s office.
The property has a spectacular view of Put-in-Bay harbor and the lake to the west, looking out towards Rattlesnake Island. It also has a private dock. According to reports, the Pesickas were interested in saving the home but discovered issues with the foundation, which would have made making extensive changes complicated and expensive. A new home, similar in style to Seven Gables but not identical, is planned
for the now-vacant lot. Interestingly, Island mystery writer Bob Adamov used the house in his famous novels. It was the home of the lead character Emerson Moore’s Aunt Anne in his books.
When Bob saw the house coming down, he posted it on the Put-in-Bay Facebook Page and asked his readers to explain its demise with creative plot ideas. His readers responded with numerous plots. A couple we liked were the following. “Racing speedboat chase across Lake Erie by the Coast Guard. Illegal immigrant smuggling is suspected.
As they near Put-in-Bay, the speedboat driver dives overboard, and the boat jumps the dock, airborne, and lands/crashes into Aunt Annie’s house. The investigation takes Emerson to Guatemala jungles, Mexico, and involves ICE.” “Auntie fell and broke her hip and had to go to a rehab home. Squatters made themselves at home and left the stove on in the kitchen turned meth lab. It starts a fire while they are gone. They return to a burned-out shell. Meanwhile, they had been pawning Auntie’s valuables on the mainland. Auntie, now fully recovered, joined the reporter in locating druggies.”
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