Historic Name

John Caughey House

Address

7585 W Lake Road

Municipality

Fairview Township

Tax Parcel

21047062000101

Historic District

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

15906

Historic Function

Domestic - single dwelling

Style

Colonial Revival

Built

1830

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

6/28/2016

The original owner of the land where the John Caughey House sits on was originally owned by Samuel McCreary, an early settler of Fairview who had travelled here from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. McCreary built and owned the first woolen mill in the county at the intersection of Avonia and West Lake Roads (originally Depot and Lake Roads). Built in 1815, this woolen mill was operated by McCreary until 1841. His sons then took over the mill and later operated it under the name McCreary, Thornton, & Co. The mill would eventually become a paper mill under the name Morgan & Co., and the property would later be abandoned. McCreary also operated a paper mill north of Avonia, which was later owned by H.F. Watson. This mill burned down in 1883.

John Caughey arrived to Fairview in the early 1800s from Lancaster County as well. He established the Lock Haven Woolen Mill in 1842 on the bank of the lake. The mill burned down in 1878. Caughey also reportedly opened a saw mill in Fairview in 1841.

Records show that Caughey bought the land from McCreary in 1823; however, he may have purchased the land prior to this date. The house may have also been built while McCreary still owned the property. The exact date construction is unknown. Caughey transferred the title of the house to his son Francis in 1837. The structure continues to serve as a single family home.

Sources: Northwest Institute of Research, Historic Survey 1982; Bates, Samuel P. History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: Warner, Beers, & Co., 1884.; Miller, John. A Twentieth Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909.; Sanford, Laura G. The History of Erie County, Pennsylvania from its First Settlement. Erie, PA: Laura G. Sanford, 1894.; The Fairview Area Historical Society, Touring Fairview Township, 2015.

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Submitted information is reviewed by Preservation Erie prior to updating the database.

Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office