The Jones Dining Room Fast Facts!

*The largest single room; (next to the Ballroom on the third floor.) * All the rooms downstairs lead to the Dining Room. * During Mr. Jones funeral, which was held in the house, this room was probably used for the viewing as it is the largest room. Over 1,000 people passed by in this room in 1894. *Believed to have been used throughout the 1870s-1890 for various organizations for meetings and programs. (Show them the photograph) *It was remodeled during the Gas & Oil Boom. *Cherry fireplace with beveled glass cupboard on top believed to have replaced the marble mantel found in pieces in the basement. * The wall covering is canvas applied to plaster with the decorations hand painted! * The lower portion shows the original hand painted plaster walls from the 1860s. *Parquet flooring with yet another different border as in all rooms. *Beamed ceilings with electric lights may have been added later (1895-08) when electricity became available. *The double doors are missing the original wheel-cut, etched glass. Apparently the nephews may have broken them in the 1950s-60. *The only room with leaded beveled exterior glass to the east. * Notice the wheel cut stars in all of the door transoms * The hole near the center of the floor is where the buzzer was located for Mr. Jones to summon his staff.

The Study/Bedroom/Library
*The mystery room of the house due the lack of research/information and the location of room. *This was used as the Master bedroom during the 1921-2010 Parks Era. *E.P. Jones had a partner, Miss Suber from Deshler, who was one of the original ten shareholders of the First National Bank (1863) and was listed as a business partner and secretary in articles in books. This may have been used as her office/bedroom as she was listed as residing here. *Contains another Italian marble fireplace. The center decoration is referred to as a cartouche and every marble fireplace has different ones. *Notice the canvas cove mouldings and the hand-painted stenciling and decorations on the walls as well. * The entire rooms walls and ceilings are darkened by soot. Notice that someone has tried to clean the south ceiling. Probably from coal or gas used in fireplace. * Bathroom was added after 1920s when Louisa purchased the house. This room was probably a rear entrance for the servants and contained a pedestal sink only.

The Relic Room

*According to newspaper articles in the 1870s-1890s there was referenced a relic room where souvenirs from the Jones world tours and numerous trips to Alaska were displayed. Several pottery pieces and other artifacts were found stored in this room after the death of Caroline so we assume for now that is was the relic room. It too contains another second cherry mantel, the only two wood mantels of the 12 found in the house, added during gas/oil boom. *Wall covering, like that of the entrance and formal parlor: LincrustaWalton embossed wallpaper made in England. It was also bronzed as the others were. *Has the side-entrance/exit that had the mailbox attached. This porch was enclosed sometime in the 1900s. Used by servants, gentlemen who needed to leave discreetly? *Large slag-glass ceiling fixture appears out of proportion for small room. It may have been gas/electric combo with hanging glass beaded fringe. Very chic! Notice that the design matches the mantel in dining room( Art Nouveau 1890-1909) Also wall fixture was restored /converted from gas to electric; same design.

The Second Floor

*Large formal landing with floor to ceiling leaded-beveled glass windows. Open all the way to the top as the glass disappears into ceiling. Samples of original cast-iron cresting found on all porch & roof edges. *The west-side was the Master Suite for Elijah and Mellie Jones: Three buzzers for the servants on wall. *Typical layout for husband/wife of wealth with each having separate bedrooms with common drawing room. *Bathroom was probably added sometime after the 1870s after the house had pressurized water added. *All bedrooms contain beautiful vitreous china pedestal sinks. Victorians believed in personal hygiene, just not baths every day. *Both bedrooms located front contain marble fireplaces while the balances are marbleized slate. Two other bedrooms on east side have a single servant buzzer. *12 foot ceilings *Floors were grained to resemble oak. Each had an area oriental rug.

Third Floor y The two from rooms believed to have been the servants room. The rear was a gathering/ballroom. y The ceiling was painted sometime in the 1920s by traveling artists/drummers who worked for ad agencies see remnants of Prince Albert ads on walls. y Story goes that the artists were bored/wanted to work for their supper and painted ceiling using no drop-cloths and wore their starched white shirts and diamond pinky rings (according to Caroline who told me the story last year) y Room to the west, #8 was Painter Joes room( local personality in the 1960s-2000). Notice the dimples in the walls from him hitting golf balls in the room!

y There is evidence of a rear staircase that went to the second floor. Rear staircase/kitchen
y y Used by mainly servants Two Scottish immigrants listed in 1880 census of living as housekeepers. The Jones family had Scottish ancestry. y The servants call box on wall. When bell was rung it would indicated what room called and male or female to come up. y y Rear entrance may have doubled as pantry. Ceiling & walls in kitchen were probably fireproofed using embossed zinc. See the wall! y Storage unit added later; notice glass transom looks like recycled interior door glass y Basement is 3,000 sq. ft. contains full bathroom, canning room, workshop, furnace room, coal bin and storage, wine room and summer-kitchen. Floors are flag stone in kitchen and brick in balance. Plastered ceilings and Walls too.