| Picture yourself pulling
up underneath the carriage port, just as the McFarlins and their guests
did with horse and buggy over 100 years ago. This Queen-Anne style,
four-story home was built in 1895 by John McFarlin at the height of his
career as a prominent tobacco farmer. |
|
Designed by William Carr, a New York architect and built in 1895, the home
exemplifies true Victorian Queen-Anne style in both charm and beauty and
upon first glance, is noted for the true Southern wrap-around verandah
that awaits guests with rockers, benches and swings for relaxation. Mr.
McFarlin was a businessman who loved to entertain and show his wealth
within his home. Just a few of its magnificent features still preserved
today include:
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In the early 1940's,
Augustus Dickson Lester and his wife, Annie Alma Roberts Lester,
purchased the home. They were responsible for installing the slate roof
which ultimately saved the home from deterioration.
In 1994, armed with dreams and young children, Richard & Tina Fauble
purchased the home and began the overwhelming task of bringing it back
to its former glory. Primarily vacant for almost 20 years, the
restoration brought challenges and surprises, and things really did get
worse before they got better. Complete photo albums of this massive
undertaking are available in the front parlor for guests to view.
Richard's youth proved to be one of the many blessings the Faubles have experienced in this
process. His parents had purchased and restored numerous older homes in
Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and his grandparents were pioneer
ministers in Michigan always moving from place to place building small
community churches from the ground up. Gradually he had developed many
necessary and priceless skills not only in construction, but also in
budgeting, planning, and purchasing, all vital to keeping the plan on
schedule and under control.
Richard's parents and
grandparents lent them both moral support and long days of physical
labor, as four generations worked together to create the McFarlin House
Bed and Breakfast - a magnificent restoration, architectural showcase,
and labor of love. |
