I’ve just returned from Marietta, Ohio. You may not have heard of it, but it’s one of the most charming towns I’ve seen. I didn’t say city, for this is clearly no cosmopolitan place. It is a town, a truly all-American small town. And as such, it’s just plain lovely.
And what may be most charming about it is that I don’t think Marietta realizes how charming and extraordinary it really is. That’s partly because it’s seen a population growth of nearly 0% over the past 20 years. Coming from a place that’s experienced nearly 100% growth over the same period, that sounds delightful!
But it’s not just this quiet consistency that make Marietta so inviting. It’s the downtown, full of stunning architecture, which boasts a thriving Front Street, facing on the Ohio River.
We go to visit friends, who we helped move from Maryland to Ohio nearly 25 years ago. As we’ve returned to visit them, we’ve watched the town evolve as their family grew. We’ve become charmed by it and return each time contemplating how pleasant it would be to live there.
After Mass on Sunday, I strolled back to my car and just had to snap these pictures to share with you the loveliness of it all. (Please excuse the quality of the photos, as I only had my iPhone with me.)
I had parked my car right in front of this porch and it’s garden.
Here’s the whole house. Note the amazing curved front.
A couple doors down was this lavender charmer.
The attention to details is part of what sets this town apart.
And this is the delightful front porch (which people actually use in this town!). Isn’t it decorated with such flair? The leaded glass filling in the end of the porch, the mirror hung by the door, the inviting furniture arrangement all draw you to it. I would have loved to drop in and share a glass of lemonade with this creative decorator!
The view of the dome of St. Mary’s, across the street from these houses
Another view of the curved-front house. This image shows the extraordinary architecture more clearly.
St Mary’s front entrance. Not at all what you’d expect from a quiet little town in Ohio. And the interior is even better!
What’s tempting is that many of these houses have For Sale signs out front. This 1903 Cape Cod boasts twin french doors leading onto the porch, and a front garden just perfect for hydrangeas. (Yes, I’ve thought about it . . .)
Detail of the french doors.
Want something a little larger? This 1919 beauty is also for sale, and has a pretty bricked patio and finished basement (for $269,000!)
And they all have such lovely yards.
But this butter-yellow brick beauty is really my favorite. (and it already has hydrangeas!)
This is it’s front. Don’t you just want to move in?! If this one were for sale, I’d probably have Chip packing us up already.
sigh . . .
And just look down the street!
It was 4th of July weekend, and all the flags were flying.
I think I need this wrought iron fence and gate.
And if you like something more formal . . .
And, oh the porches! This one is on an early 19thC white brick home. These porches gaze off into the ethereal town cemetery. Sounds creepy, but it’s absolutely lovely in a Midnight-in-the-Garden-of-Good-and-Evil kinda way.
The House of Seven Porches. Though only these four are apparent from the street, it does make one anxious to see the rest.
And did I mention that Marietta is a college town? To top it all off, Marietta has the vibrancy and engaging activities that come with having a thriving college located in the middle of town.
Bottom line – if you’re ever in Ohio (a haven for great vintage finds), drop in on Marietta. Take a stroll down front street, breath in the beauty of the scenic river view, and enjoy the shaded streets with their exceptional collection of fine architecture.
Do you know of an exceptionally charming, yet little-known town? I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks for reading,
Virginia
Thanks for sharing. I love old houses!! THose look so beautiful!!!
They are, Julie! And there are blocks of them. This town is such a treat.
i grew up in marietta and my parents still live on sacra via
i have had the priviledge of spending a lot of time in several of the homes shown, but especially the house with seven porches. marietta is beautiful. i feel very fortunate to have grown up in such a quaint place…
What a treat that so many of you who have commented have been inside The House of Seven Porches! I’d love to get inside myself!
I remember going to the house of seven porches for a Girl Scout outing. There was a slide built into the hill in the backyard and they’d give you a piece of wax paper to take your turn sliding.
What a hoot that must have been!
That was my house growing up, Jenny and the slide was part of a larger swingset. It was metal and rusty do my mom had us use wax paper to slide down. So glad it’s one of your childhood memories too. I’ve loved Virginia’s angle on Marietta.
I’m from Ohio (northeast), but I’ve never been to Marietta. I’ve lived in the Washington, DC, area for many years, and my husband and I are thinking about places to retire. DC is very expensive. Perhaps I should think about returning to Ohio. Thanks so very, very much for your post and the lovely photos. I’m Catholic too, so wouldn’t it be lovely to walk across the street to mass. Thanks again — DELIGHTFUL!
So true, Marilyn! The area right around St. Mary’s is my favorite. The 1919 house is right across a cobbled, tree-lined street from the church. It may just have your name on it!
Marilyn,
Come visit Marietta. You will find our town to be a great retirement town option. I’d be happy to show you around even.
Marilyn, if you are Catholic then you must visit Marietta and go to Mass at St. Mary’s. This is the parish where I grew up and where I attend Mass when visiting family (we live in Dayton now.) The interior of the church was restored in 2009 for the 100th anniversary of the church. The result is STUNNING. See the piece on the “New Liturgical Movement” blog http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/08/renovations-st-mary-church-marietta.html. You will also find that the Holy Mass is celebrated in a beautiful and orthodox style–without being old-fashioned.
St. Mary’s is extraordinary – worth a visit, even you aren’t Catholic.
During the Christmas season, St Marys always hosts the Messiah, put on by Marietta College, a long tradition, with the community volunteering for many of the chorus positions. The acoustics in the church are unbelievable. It is a night my husband and I look forward to all year.
I would LOVE to attend that! How beautiful. I agree that the acoustics at St. Mary’s are exceptional.
Thanks for sharing! Great pictures! Marietta is now on my list of places I must stop & ENJOY!
You’ll love it!
I live about half an hour in the country in Athens Co . I prefer to live in the country but if i were to live in town i would pick Marietta. I was born there and agree it is a beautiful town with a great downtown area and lots of fun activities thruout the year.
Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures, I was born and raised in Marietta and miss it dearly!! As it usually happens, we move away because of work, and i have been gone from there since 1990. I will be going back in a couple of weeks for my class reunion and cant wait to see how things have changed. Even though we expect changes, Marietta always seems to remain the same ………….Thanks again!!
Candy
Enjoy your reunion, Candy.
The shops and businesses seem to change there often. The one I miss most was a quirky little shop on Front Street, owned by an older gentleman, which sold hard-to-find tea-making things and other items that an Anglophile would love. I used to stop in there every time we were in town, and still miss it. Do you remember that store?
I was born and raised in Marietta, and although I moved away many years ago, Marietta will always be home. My favorite store was a very eclectic collection of oddities including foods, kitchen gadgets, knick knacks, and just about anything you couldn’t find anywhere else. It was called Wendelken’s, and it was located on Front Street. I’m not sure if that was the same store you were thinking of, but it was definitely one of a kind! As is Marietta….I couldn’t think of a better place to grow up, and when I retire, I hope to find my way back home.
Yes! That’s the one!
That was probably Wendelkens…which no longer exists.But we do have a new Cook’s Shop on Front street that you might like.
That store was Wendelken’s! I miss it too!
I loved Wendelken’s, so eclectic. However, my favorite place was Brownie’s bakery! I’ve never had better doughnuts, so miss this place.
Virginia,
Thank you for taking the time to write about your Marietta adventures. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit.
Jeri
Thanks, Jeri. Your town is a gem.
Virginia
Hi! I live in Marietta and everything that Virginia has said is true (10 times over…..in my opinion). It’s a place where you get a smile and a hello from those you pass on the sidewalks. There are huge activities organized in town all most every weekend in the summer months and many in the fall, winter and spring as well. I’m originally from Maryland (suburb of Baltimore) and wouldn’t ever want to live anywhere else.
Stephanie, you’re so right. Everywhere we go, our friends run into happy, friendly people they know.
Virginia
You and your friends may enjoy these profiles of Marietta residents — the visuals are stunning!
Mike
Link to video profiles of Marietta residents…
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_wQVzy0EoaRVG7xYfoOlQ
Thanks, Mike.
I lived in Marietta, too. I miss it everyday.
housing is unbelievably cheap, the town is gorgeous, and the people are awesome!
Is the store you mentioned, was it called Wendlekins or something like that? I loved that store too.
Yes! So sorry it’s gone. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who misses it.
a friend sent me the link to your blog. I grew up in the House of Seven Porches so I was delighted to see it featured. I love the way you look at what most people would take for granted in such a loving way. I live in Texas but I totally miss the front porches and the people in Marietta. What a gem it is!
Thanks for your kind words. And, by the way, Texas is pretty awesome, too!
I moved to Marietta in 1996 from Northeast Ohio and fell in love with this town. It is a beautiful town and has the most friendly people around.
Marietta is my hometown! Moved away 34 years ago, and still call it “home”! Love this beautiful little place and am so glad it hasn’t been hit with a lot of change. It’s quaint and lovely home town feel located on two rivers is what makes it so unique and inviting. Love walking the sidewalks and taking in all the old homes and imagine what kind of stories lie within those old walls. Downtown is full of history and mystery too. Can’t wait to go back home!
A MARIETTA NIGHT’S DREAM
By Dan Benson June 2012
dbenson@suddenlink.net
As I think and dream of Marietta past,
What was it like and who was the cast?
What were the smells, the sounds the views,
Where did the people go like me and you?
I try to imagine the old dirt streets,
Mud filled, mushy after a rain no treat.
The clopping sound from horses when,
A buggy or wagon pass by in the wind.
Perhaps in the distance a steam whistle blows,
Announcing the arrival of steamboat what a show.
Folks came to the levee for delivery of goods,
Or together as community in mind as we would.
A cold night a lone person walks the streets,
The smell of coal piercing the air that he breaths.
Softly a bell rings in the downtown tonight,
From the college tower all is right.
Now making my way up Front Street I go,
Dry goods, cigars, a store with fancy clothes.
What would be the latest to see,
In windows back then for you and me.
The train makes way slowly from west to east,
Across the bridge clatter, squeaking, rumbling complete.
Heading into the Union Station it will go,
People awaiting to load and unload cargo.
Gas lights replaced by electric ones now,
Arches in place with lights simply wow.
Brick has been laid and the rail in place,
Is that the street car I see coming this way?
The buildings stay its occupant change,
Wares and services oh what a range.
Floods have devastated her a time or two,
She comes back stronger as if brand new.
These few thoughts it will always seem,
Are part of my wonder in an endless dream.
I love Marietta people and past,
From the depth of my soul I hope she lasts.
nice poem, Dan. you’ve really captured marietta then and now
I was raised in Marietta and my aunt owned The House of Seven Porches. You can see four of them on either side of the front room; a bedroom with access to the porches is above. The other three porches run all the way across the back of the house which is three stories in therear, since the ground slopes steeply from Fifth Street, which the house faces, to Fourth Street, the next street over.
The house was built in the 19th Century by a professor at Marietta College, one block away. An interesting feature are windows in the front room which reach to the floor. They can be raised and on summer days in olden times a dance might be held and the dancers could dance from the front room right out onto the porch.
The historic cemetery referred to right across the street is Mound Cemetery, named for an Indian Mound rising in the middle. More officers of the Revolutionary War are buried there than any where else.
The town is bathed in history, having been founded by Generals Israel and Rufus Putnam of Revolutionary War fame. Lafayette, on his farewell journey to the United States in the 1820s, came to Marietta and visited his old fellow officers there.
Wow! Thanks for the history lesson. The House of Seven Porches fascinates me. Thanks, also for the the description.
Thanks for the article! I work on Putnam Street in Marietta so I am in town everday and love it!
Hi Virginia. nice posting. Thanks for posting the pics of my house, the first set of the green house withe curved front. We have lived there since 1961 and my Mom still lives there. The interior is as pretty as the outside with lots of nice woodwork. It was built before 1850 and has 19 rooms. The windows still have the original stained-glass. The backyard has beautiful lanscaping and a Koi Pond. Thanks again, JJ
What a treat to grow up in such an extraordinary home! The garden and porch are so inviting, but the curbed wall just takes it over the top!
It is always lovely to read something written by a non-native of Marietta. Southeastern Ohio is lovely and different from what most people imagine. I grew up just a few miles from there and Marietta was “going to town” for us. I still have family and friends there. Thanks so much for the lovely article.
I always sees visiting Marietta as a treat. It’s a hidden treasure, deserving of attention.
The 1919 house is actually $299,000.
That’s what it said on one listing, but it appeared to be updated to the reduced price of $269,000. I suppose talking directly to the realtor would be the best idea. The sign (with phone number) is in one of the pictures.
Em, Do you remember Bob Jones? That first house, the one you parked in front of, is his Mom, Icee’s, house. Isn’t it beautiful. Her flowers are always lovely.
We – regretfully – live in Marietta and the architecture for the most part is wonderful, but there is no thriving downtown – there are no jobs of any quality and for the most part it is a very depressed area. For the majority of people living and struggling in this area, they would much rather be elsewhere.
I don’t live there, but when I visit, the downtown always has a fun feel to it. The shops are charming and the scenery great. I must admit, though, that we notice you never have to wait to be seated at a restaurant, even on a weekend, in Marietta. While that’s great for patrons, I realize that’s not great for the proprietors.
That really is the sad part, when we moved to CT when Walker shut down a lady that moved as well didn’t like it in CT so she went back. But she couldn’t find a job. She wound up moving back here even though she didn’t like it. My daughter and boyfriend would love to move there but know there are no jobs. Very sad, I feel for the folks trying to survive the economy there.
Perhaps if it gets noticed, others will come to visit and enjoy it, thereby helping to support the economy.
Jason I guess we have differing opinions on thriving. Thriving to me is Teri Ann’s being there for over 40yrs with multiple employees and the owned by the same family, thriving is Schafer’s Leather owned by the same family for 5 generations. Many other shops over 10 yrs old. Variety but not your “big name” stores. Each unique and supporting a family or employing several people. Our eateries may not have a waiting line, but they are busy. Until a serious illness caused me to close my shop, it was nothing to see over 700 people in my shop during one of the monthly artists walks. Workingman’s Store, Framing Gallery, Art with Heart, American Flags and Poles, Sudgens, Riverside Art Gallery, Putnam Chocolate, Kassel Music, Riverview Antiques, Marietta Antique Mall, Second St Antiques, Zides, Twisted Sisters, Swagg, H Rietz, Baker n Baker, Jewelry by Design, Goldline, My Favorite Things, Rossi Pasta, John Rossi Art, Third St Music, People’s News, Marietta Wine Cellar, Change of Adress, Turquoise Spirit, Carol G’s, Two Peas in a Pod, Renee’s Birkenstock.
Those are just the ones with more than 5 yrs under their belt and just in the 2 blocks from Greene to Putnam. To that you can add at least 4 new ones and more to come. That is thriving.
Becky, I do especially love that the chain stores haven’t shown up in Marietta. Stoked is much more personal than Starbucks. The shops along Front Street are always a treat. And it’s so much nicer to shop where the owner is there and takes a direct interest in their customers.
No chain stores downtown, but right at the edge, near the Interstate is a WalMarts, Lowes, etc.
What a unique concept too. It’s the family run stores that can give personalized service and fill a niche that nothing will ever be able to replace in Marietta. Marietta is also unique amongst small towns in Ohio for continuing to even have any kind of downtown. I’m sure Marietta has it’s share of challenges but kudos to the people who work really hard to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction
Well said, Jane.
There is so much history. The first “town” west and was started by many very prominent men who were in the war. Washington was there a number of times. Some trip if you haven’t already, call the library and they can tell you where you can go to get all the history, including what they know about the Indians for long history as well as building Marietta.
I’d love to learn more of Marietta’s history. Thanks for the tip.
I moved from Maryland to Marietta and lived there for almost 10 years, it was the kind of small town I always wanted to live in. We had to move because Walker shut down across the river. It took me 3 years to even try to get over leaving there, and after 7 years I still miss it. Such a wonderful place to live and raise a family, it is truly a gem!!!! When I left and came back over the Williamstown bridge and saw downtown Marietta, I felt such a sense of peace, I was home!!!! Sure do miss that lovely town, the people are just wonderful! New England is so cold and unfriendly so much of the time time.
It’s so good that you can return to visit, Debbie.
We actually did a couple years ago when our daughter was looking at colleges, it was wonderful, stayed at the Lafayette after going in there so many times.
One of these days I’d like to stay there. It looks like the views would be great.
I was blessed to be born there. Went to college and found a husband to bring back there. Left to live at the beach. We believe it is the most beautiful place we have ever lived. Thanks for a nice article.
We spent thirty-five years in Marietta and thirty years in the “lavender charmer” house on Fifth Street. It was yellow when we lived there and it has been beautifully restored by the people who bought it from us. Think we’ll move back in!
My family has been in Marietta and Washington County almost from the beginning of settlement. 5 of 6 of mom’s children stayed and raised their families here. Of the 16 grandchildren raised here only 6 have remained, all the others moved to find jobs elsewhere and of her 19 great grandchildren, she only gets to watch 8 of them grow up. There are jobs in the area but there are not a lot of good raising families kind of jobs since a lot of the Plants closed. However, Marietta did not sit back and wait for a slow painful death. It continued to clean up and renovate the downtown area and invested in the historical value of the first settlement here, Harmar Village. Which is across the Muskingum River and there is a walking bridge off of Front street to Harmar and the really neat shops located there in more of our historic buildings. Marietta may not be growing again, yet; but we have staved off declining like so many other small towns have done. I love Marietta, I was glad to raise my family here and wish they could have stayed and raised their families here too. It’s a great place to visit but an even better place to live. Great article, thank you for writing it.
I too am from Marietta, but have been gone since 2003. Most of my family and many good friends still live here so I visit often. I love my hometown and am always telling people about it. My husband attended Marietta College and our plan is to retire there(granted we have quite a few yrs. ahead of us) Thanks so much for the kind words and sharing my town with others.
My pleasure, Jennifer.
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful stories. I to was born and raised in Marietta. My parents and about all of my family still live there. When I visit I miss the big old houses. I grew up going to St. Mary’s and parked my car near many of the houses that were pictured. I must say growing up I could not wait to ” get away” , however now so often wish that the economy would support my family gowing back to have my children grow up there. My grandparents lived right in downtown and my parents still live up on Harmar Hill overlooking the city. I have to say I have now lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Massachussetts and it has a certain unique charm that still makes me call it “home”.
Isn’t it funny how our perspective changes as we age. Thanks for the insights.
I grew up in Marietta and have no desire to live anywhere else….I love that no matter where I go in this town….I see a familiar face and smile! I love that when we go to the Town House with our three children…we can sit in the same booth where my husband first told me he loved me…32 years ago….and the bartender was in on his surprise gift to me on our 25th anniversary. I love that Shane in the chocolate store reaches for the candy bin with my daughter’s favorites as soon as she walks in the door…I love that the mayor is a familiar face we went to high school with and the local dentist sings at the Sternwheel festival. I love the artist walks and the wing thing at the Lafayette, where you can sit down and talk to people you’ve known your whole life and see their children and grandchildren. I love that nearly every month there is a benefit dinner somewhere for someone with a need and there is always a great turnout.We live in a great town and I wouldn’t trade it! My husband has traveled the world with his job and every time he comes home he says, “We live in the best place on earth!”
.
What a great testament to your town. I’ve only ever visited, but have definitely felt the warmth you describe.
Your family is truly blessed to be able to live there, it is a great place to raise a family!! So many special things and events in this town, but the people are so special they make all the difference. Sure wish I could move back!