CHESTER A. MEHURIN HOUSE
1427 Second Street
This dignified and handsome Greek Revival house has been the property of Mr. and Mrs. Chester A. Mehurin since 1948. During their long period of ownership, the Mehurin’s have completely restored the house, under the supervision of Koch-Wilson architects, made some additions and also delved into the interesting history of the property.
The house was probably built by Mrs. Jane Fawcett, widow of James D’Arcy, on this ground which she purchased in 1845, in the rear of her other property facing First Street that she had purchased the year previous. According to Mrs. Dagmar Renshaw LeBreton in “A Tour of the Garden District” the D’Arcy-Mehurin house was part of a large plantation home moved here by the D’Arcy’s in the early 1850’s and then added to. Such house moving was not uncommon during that early period, strange as it may seem.
A number of architectural features help establish the date of the house as circa 1850. The ceilings are only 12 feet high and the doors were originally single width. The door moldings are in the same pattern as those in the Pontalba buildings, also created in the 1850’s.
At the time of Mrs. D’Arcy’s death in 1885 the house was under lease to Dr. Henry D. Bruns and was described as “a commodious and well-built two-story and attic frame-slated residence, with hall in the center, and contains parlor, library, dining room, kitchen, etc. and some numerous bedrooms above. Bathroom, pantry, etc., with marble mantels and gas-light fixtures throughout. Embellished yard and garden, two cisterns, sheds, etc. Stylish appearance, choice neighborhood.”
In 1907 the house was acquired by Mrs. Henry C. Miller, whose daughter Miss Lottie Miller conducted a fine private school for girls there until about 1931 when Dr. John H. Musser bought the place. The ironwork on the house was added at that period. The Mehurin’s purchased the house from Dr. Musser’s estate. Many old out-buildings, including a wine cellar, were removed by the present owners so that the present garden could be established.
LELAND S. MONTGOMERY HOUSE
1506 Seventh Street
Although the architect and builder of this stately mansion are unknown, it was probably constructed in the 1850’s. A delightful rendering in water color of the house as it appeared in 1865 is in the notarial archives of Orleans Parish.