The ten-acre estate in historic Marion known as the Grove includes a Victorian home, manicured gardens, a barn, and a public park. While half of the property is owned privately and now operates as a bed-and-breakfast, the city owns the other half and uses it as public green space.
The 7,000-square-foot home was built in 1895 in the popular Eastlake design of the day, a style that includes hand-made details and furnishings. In keeping with the home’s history, the current owner utilizes a barn on the premises as a workshop for furniture-making and woodworking.
Originally a farm, the estate was built for the Montgomery family. It remained with the Montgomerys for four generations, and Montgomery family antiques grace several rooms in the Grove.
When I was youngster “The Grove” was the family home of the Tilghman family. My school friend Lee’s grandmother lived there. The driveway you can see just outside the gate on the left of the screen is where my step-grandmother, Mrs. Mildred Hamilton, lived. It was also a beautiful house with painted shutters, side porches, etc. Mz. Lizzie had been with the family long before I was born. She was the absolute BEST cook …everyone loved Mz Lizzie’s biscuits.