The historic Victorian mansion before as the BurWolf Building and after as The Charlton Abbott Building today.
Step into history at the Charlton Abbott house in Willoughby, a stunning pre-Civil War Victorian mansion built in 1857. To put its significance in perspective, this grand residence stood for over 50 years before the Titanic's maiden voyage, making it a remarkable piece of our past.
A Glimpse of History
This historic home is not just a beautiful structure; it’s accompanied by an enchanting horse barn, built in 1853, that looks like it stepped straight out of Bonanza. The charm of the property is palpable, inviting visitors to explore its rich heritage.
The historic horse barn-built in 1853, is one of the oldest original horse-barns in Lake County.
The Poetic Connection
The mansion also resonates with the words of Sam Walter Foss, whose poem "The House by the Side of the Road" was penned in the 1870s, shortly after the mansion's construction. The poem reflects a profound sense of community and humanity:
“Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men goes by—
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.”
This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Willoughby, affectionately known as "The Courtesy City."
House History
The Warrallo House was constructed in 1858 by Stephen and Rebecca Warrallo. Their daughter, Francelia, was a talented artist who offered classes in Willoughby. Stephen and his son, Clark, operated a planning mill across the street. The property later came into the ownership of Mayor John Jordan, after whom Jordan Drive is named.
The hallway area highlights the beautiful winding staircase transformation before and after pictures.
In the early 1900s, the historic mansion served as a rooming house before becoming part of Meister Publishing, alongside the adjacent large brick house, until their relocation to what is now the police station.
Top three pictures are of coworking space renovation while the bottom three pictures are what the coworking space looks like today.
Following the 1960s, the home was repurposed for commercial use and acquired by an engineering firm, which renamed it The BurWolf Building.
In October 2020, Ken and Lisa Boyd purchased the historic Victorian structure and beautifully renovated it into a coworking space, ensuring that its original charm and character were retained while integrating modern amenities. The building was renamed The Charlton Abbott, honoring both the original trading post established in the Fulton area during the 1790s and Paul Abbott, who explored the Ohio Delta long before it became Willoughby.
The Charlton Abbott is an important part of the city’s history and legacy, embodying the spirit of the early trading posts that provided food, directions, and essential goods for the community.
The Charlton Abbott is home to Willoughby Workspaces. It offers coworking, private offices and conference rooms that can be rented by the hour or monthly membership rates. You can purchase a Day Pass $25 for use of the coworking area on the first floor and patio. Stop by during normal working hours 8 AM - 5:30 PM for a tour of building. Businesses can also rent space for business workshops, seminars and business parties. Call for more details 440-710-6561.
Comments