I initially researched this property for Preservation Erie’s 2021 Endangered Properties List, but found that, although it hasn’t been occupied since at least the mid 1990s, it has been maintained enough to keep it standing, it meets all code requirements, recently had a new roof, and the owner has no intention to sell or demolish it. So, while it is not endangered, it does have some majorly unfulfilled potential.
This home was originally built around the turn of the 20th century by William and Caroline Tallman. William was a naval Captain and had a maritime towing business. He came into a great fortune when a wealthy relative from Virginia passed away and he inherited a great deal of money. It was at that time the home on West 3rd Street was built. He was married to Caroline Melaven Tallman, who lived in the home after William’s death in 1916 until her own death in 1933, with her sister Frances Melaven. Neither the Tallmans nor Melaven had any children and after Frances’ death, the home was purchased by Carl E Warner who converted the large family home into apartments.
Eventually the home went up for sheriff’s sale in 1992 and was purchased by Peter Kubeja, who is the current owner. The home is a prominent corner lot and has some distinguishing exterior characteristics, including a corner turret with topper, and a large curved wrap around porch. This is a prominent historic home in the core of Erie’s downtown and adjacent to many Gannon properties. It has great potential to be a showpiece in an area where empty lots are gaining more and more ground every day.
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