Beaver’s oldest house has new owners, is getting an interior makeover, and should be back on the market this spring for just the right buyer who will appreciate its history and simple elegance.
Located at the corner of 800 River Road and Market Street, the structure is nearly 220 years of age and was built in part from logs salvaged from the ruins of Fort McIntosh, abandoned after the end of the Revolutionary War.
The house has taken on a legendary status. It’s pictured and featured in the vintage publication, A Do It Yourself Walking Tour of Beaver, produced by the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation and the Beaver County Tourist Promotion Agency. At the time of publication circa the 1970s, it was owned by Matilda McCreery. The entry reads:
The front portion of this charming old home, the oldest part, was constructed about 1805 with squared logs taken from the site of Fort McIntosh about 200 feet up river. The lot upon which it was built was purchased that year at a cost of $71.00 by David Johnston. The house, originally a two- story log cabin, has since been covered with clapboards and plastered inside. A wing was added on the down-river side and a lean-to at the rear. The original heavy log framing, however, may still be seen in the cellar and in the loft.
It’s also highlighted in the award-winning coffee table book Beaver Town 2002, which says that “David Johnson, who built the house, would not recognize it today… The house is now owned by the Nicholas Plodinec family, but many local residents still refer to it as the ‘McCreery House.’ The late Matilda (Tilly) McCreery served as a Board Member of the Heritage Foundation for many years, and delighted in showing people the hand-hewn logs from the fort which are still visible in the basement.”
Today’s owners are Adam Coakley and Nick Zunic of CCM Construction, a custom home building and remodel contracting company. They were attracted to the property because of its location at a high point overlooking the Ohio River, its unusual backstory, and the opportunity to add their special brand of value. The original, solid floor joists and beams and sandstone foundation were appealing, too.
“We always like challenges, and this house has a lot of character,” says Adam, a Beaver resident.
Without changing the exterior aesthetics, CCM is in the process of bringing an early 19th century residence into 21st century comfort. Among the priorities are opening up interior spaces and expanding the kitchen by removing walls, removing old boilers, adding new furnaces in the attic and basement, and shoring up inside supports with laminated structural beams. The fireplaces will be retained.
Adam has worked in the field since he was age 18, first by selling building materials and then progressing to product installation before founding the business in 2012. Nick is a 60-year drywall veteran. In addition to 800 River Road, the team has other projects underway in Center, Conway, and Sewickley Heights, and has built other houses in Beaver and Brighton Township. CCM’s offices are located in the Tri-County Soccer Complex in Freedom.
Realtor Kimberly Hostetter of RE/MAX Select Realty assisted with the sale to CCM.
Want to know more?
Contact Adam Coakley at ccmconstructionmgt@gmail.com
