The Grounds

This house, with its adorable storybook architecture style, appeals to the inner child of all who pass by, trying to sneak a peek through the thick hedges that surround the property. It is situated in a middle-class neighborhood with tree-lined streets and large lots and is within walking distance to the main downtown shopping district.  It  sits on a 1.1-acre parcel with a combination of mature trees, a grassy lawn, and multiple gardens.  Some of the trees still remaining include elm trees, of which several were moved to the grounds and planted in 1917 as very large specimens.  The house fronts east onto Almer Street and is screened from the road by stone posts with mature evergreen hedges extending from post to post. A split cobblestone drive just off of Almer Street  provides access to the home, as well as a cobblestone walk leading from the sidewalk to the front door, splitting off at some point, with a second walk leading to the South Porch and secondary entrance. A cement service drive off of Lincoln Street provides an additional access to the property. Next to the house on the south side, there is a large c.1920 in-ground amusement pool (currently not operational) flanked by walks, a patio, a lotus pond, and a rock garden.  A two-story carriage house garage, echoing the house in design and materials, is set at the southwest corner of the lot, of which the front entrance is reached by a stone driveway from Almer Street.  The rear, or West entrance of the garage is accessed by a grassy drive off of Pearl Street. This area of the property remains unlandscaped.The grounds have a c 1920 uextensive underground sprinkler system that is currently not in operation.  Scattered throughout the grounds are floodlights beneath large, ornate martin houses set on steel posts (two of many are still standing) These lights made it possible to permit outdoor sports activities, such as tennis, badmitten, and croquet, at night.  The property also includes an original well(pump) house, a Japanese bridge, a miniature lighthouse, a fountain of youth, and a pergola, all of which are c.1920 and are contributing sites.  There is a small c.1970 shed located south of the pool.  It houses a c1970 filtering system for the pool and is non-contributing due to its age. A large lithograph and original prints of the plat of the property are in possession of the owner and remain with the property.

In the 1920’s thru the 1950’s, the Moore home and its gardens were used as a meeting place for various community events and activities.  Back then there were aquatic pools containing lilies and magnificent blooming Egyptian lotus, as well as a large aquarium along the portecachere containing Japanese ornamental fish.  A fountain, grass tennis court, faux bois benches, several flower gardens, a carefully tended lawn, and a waterfall added to the striking beauty of the home and its surroundings.

Despite the ensuing years and changing times, the Moore house has maintained all the eccentricity, imagination, uniqueness, and curiosity as it has in the years past.  Even today, it is considered a creation of lasting beauty and by many is considered a showplace of the Thumb.   The home evokes a magical, enchanting feel, and has been described in such monikers as ‘The Fairy Tale House’, ‘The Storybook House’, ‘The Gingerbread House’, and most recently 'The Wizard’s Castle'.