History

The Simonton Mansion is located at 317 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, along the beautiful Susquehanna River. Built in 1870, the house is a four story brick Second Empire, Italiannate rowhouse.

Early in the city’s history, this land was listed as lot number 78, as part of the southernmost portion of the block that is fronted by Front Street to the west, Barbara Alley (earlier known as Barberry Alley) to the south, River Alley to the east and rear, and South Street to the north. The other lots were 79 and 80.

Rev. William R. DeWitt & wife had owned lot 78 in 1830’s. On March 21, 1835, he sold the northern half of this lot (which measured 26 feet 3 inches by two hundred ten feet) to Matilda McCox of Philadelphia. An early 1850 map of Harrisburg city shows one dwelling and outbuilding siting along the northwest corner of lot number 79 that was listed as property of J. Espy. The rest of the block was unbuilt, yet owned by McCox and DeWitt as a divided lot number 78.

Matilda McCox, now living in Harrisburg, sold the property to William M. Meredith of Philadelphia for $1,600.00 on October 5, 1853. Mr. Meredith then sold the lot to Mrs. Mary H. Espy (wife of James Espy,who would later own a dwelling on lot 79) for $1.00.

On February 7, 1870, James S. and Mary H. Espy conveyed the land to David M. McCormick of Harrisburg for $7,500.00. It is McCormick would built the house on this land, as the Espys grant permission for a dwelling to connect to their three story brick dwelling located to the north of the lot. According to the 1870 Morning Patriot, Harrisburg’s newspaper at the time, it was printed in the local notes that a lot of ground on Front Street near South Street was sold to David McCormick, Esq., for $7,500.00 cash. Following the construction throughout this year on Monday, April 18, 1870, "Along Front Street the foundations of a number of elegant edifices have recently been dug." Later that month on Friday, April 29, 1870, it was noted that McCormick recently purchased the lumberyard of William H. Sible, so now he is in the Coal & Lumber Business. By Monday, May 2, 1870, "A number of fine residences are in progress of erection on Front Street. When finished,they will add new beauties to that already attractive resort for Finally on Monday,October 31, 1870, it was noted that "Major David McCormick took possession of his new house on Saturday last. We congratulate the major in being in possession of such a handsome residence. It is an ornament to the city and adds much to the fine appearance of Front Street."

David McCormick died soon after moving into what is now known as 317 N Front Street. His family continued to live there until 1879. By February 1879, David’s heirs and his widow, Catherine sell the property and four story brick dwelling house to John W. Simonton for $8,400.00. The deed is written in two parts: the first containing McCormick’s grown daughters (Julia, Elizabeth, and Agnes Adams), and son-in-law (Charles D. Adams), and the second listing Henry Gilbert Guardian of minor son David and minor daughter Helen.

By 1879-1880, John W. Simonton and his wife, Sarah and daughter Annie are living at 317. The property also houses a rear stable that sits along River Alley. The property becomes known for Simonton as he achieves the status of President Judge of the Twelveth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and the first president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Simonton continued to live there until his death in 1903. In 1897, for a time, Simonton also owned the property to the north, now known as 319 N Front Street (the former Espy home).

According to the Historical Society of Dauphin County, the house was transferred to Gilbert A. Beaver, Simonton’s son-in-law and son of the former Governor James Beaver, in 1903. While unresearched, it is believed that Sarah Simonton continued to live here until her death in 1918. Also in 1903, Mrs. Gilbert Beaver, nee Annie Simonton, sold the property of her father’s law office on Third Street to M.E. Olmstead.

After Mrs. Simonton died, Beaver sold the property around 1919 to Gertrude G. Letts. From here, the house owners changed frequently, including Samuel Bross in 1923, Albert K. Bard in 1928, and John M. Davidson in 1930. As with many of the grand homes in the city, by 1930 the building is converted into apartments. Davidson sold the property to Ray R. Fisher in 1946, and later Fisher sold to Dennis Theodoratus (date unknown). By 1976, Theodoratus conveyed the property to two gentlemen (Roger M. and Richard, last names unknown) for $108,000.00.

The property changed hands a few more times, housing various businesses and offices over the years. In late 2003, Vern L. McKissick and his wife Kristen purchased the property for their residence and architectural business, and continue to live and work here now.