At the age of 75, Etta Terrell would build the United
States’ largest steel strand home. It was constructed at
the site where her family home once stood before it was
demolished by a fire in 1898. She made a promise to herself she would build a grand home in which she and her
sisters would reside. It would be near the same spot as the
family home, and that this new home would be fireproof!
Miss Etta’s promise turned into a mansion with two
floors, 10 bedrooms and six baths, a grand reception
room, formal and informal living rooms, formal and informal dining rooms, sewing room, pump room, laundry
room and two grand hallways the length of the house,
and an elevator, in addition to two sets of staircases. The
most amazing feature of the house was the 60 tons of
structural steel used to build the home. And, beneath the
wooden floors are sub-floors of cement. It is thought that
the house, which also includes an attic and full basement,
cost between $50,000 and $100,000 to build in 1936.
When the Mansion was completed, Miss Etta invited her
four sisters to live with her. Bertha, Loriene and Carlyle
who never married, Etta and Regina, who were both
widowed, lived together in the home. Each of the sisters
had their own room upstairs showcasing their individual
tastes. Beveled mirrors, peacock feathers, lamps draped
with fringed scarves, drawers full of lingerie, trays of
lipstick, face powder, lotion, cologne, hair brushes
and hand mirrors all sit silently for the return
of their owners. The bedrooms also feature a
highly unusual addition of walk-in closets,
still holding some of the sisters’ clothing.
There were also spare guest bedrooms
and rooms that were used for music
and sewing!
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