Historic Name

Goodell House

Address

221 Waterford St

Municipality

Edinboro Borough

Tax Parcel

11005032004500

Historic District

Classification

Class 2 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

90980

Historic Function

Domestic - single dwelling

Style

Greek Revival

Built

1850

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Dutch Gable Entry Barns

Last Entry Update

8/17/2016

After buying 50 acres of land in Edinboro, Pennsylvania in 1836, Layton Goodell began building multiple structures on his newly acquired land. In 1850, Goodell constructed a small bungalow style cottage, two bank barns, one flat barn, and a small home, called the Goodell House. Layton worked as a blacksmith and maintained his property’s farmland. While residing in the Goodell House, he became one of the founding members of the Edinboro Academy, now called Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

In 1876, George Seymore Goodell, one of Goodell’s seven children, took ownership of the Goodell House and surrounding property. This property would later be called the Goodell Gardens and Homestead. While owner, George built an additional shed onto the preexisting sheep barn and purchased more farmland. He sold the house and farmland to his youngest son, Todd Goodell, in 1920. Under his ownership, the property became a dairy farm.

Todd’s daughters, Carrie and Margaret, took ownership of the farm in 1956. By 1970, both Carrie and Margaret were searching for a means to donate their land to the Edinboro community. In their wills, the sisters established a small fund and parameters for the donation of the property. In 2001, the Goodell Gardens & Homestead was acquired by the Erie Community Foundation and turned into a non-profit organization. The 78-acre farm now serves as an education-oriented botanical garden and arboretum. The Goodell House is now used as the welcome center for Goodell Gardens & Homestead.

Sources:

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Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office