The First Presbyterian Manse
Author: Posted Date: 4/13/2007 3:35:15 PM
| | |The First Presbyterian Manse, now occupied by pastor John Wilson and family. The manse once was owned by Harry Sinclair, the founder of the Sinclair Oil Company. The story goes that Sinclair shot his foot so that he could claim insurance which he used to start the Sinclair Oil Company. Hence, the stairs in the manse have half the rise that most stairways have. Harry had a lift put on both the stairs at the manse from the kitchen to the upper level and in the Presbyterian Church, back alley entrance to the basement where Gehman Hall serves as the site for various activities and dinners. Though the lifts are both gone, the Presbyterian Church alley entrance was dubbed Sinclair Alley for the purpose of entry to Gehman Hall for the Sinclair Alley Coffee House or “Concert Series.” Chuck Goad was one of the organizers for the area performers. The manse has also housed other families and the upper level was used during the depression or war times as apartments. The manse basement, during Harry Sinclair’s time, was the site for many card games. (The attached photo is the same.) (Contributed by Donna Rothgeb)| | | | | | | | | Read Entire PostComments (0) | Leave Comments |  Permalink
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