This property is architecturally important in Havre de Grace because it represents an early English building type known as an “I” house, not seen elsewhere in Havre de Grace. The “I” house was two stories high, one room deep, and two or more rooms deep with internal-end chimneys. Often, although not in this case, the gable walls were windowless.

John Thompson sold this property in 1791 to James Thompson, who may have built the house. This building is known to be one of only a few that survived the May 1813 British burning of the town in the War of 1812. In addition, the 1814 tax assessment records include James Thompson owning a two-story framed dwelling house measuring 30 by 18 feet.

In 1834, heirs of James Thompson sold the house to William D. Thompson, who within the year sold it to Warren Lisle Nicoll (1781-1852), who was from England and is buried in the Coale plot of Angel Hill Cemetery. Nicoll served as a town commissioner from 1838-1840. Apparently, with the death of Nicoll in 1852, ownership of the house descended by 1904 to Emily Coale (1833-1925). Her husband was John B. Coale, who operated fishing floats on the river and died in 1896. Emily Coale sold the house in 1904 to one of her sons, John Hopper Coale (1861-1930).

In 1911, a Court trustee found that George T. and Mary Pennington had a reversionary interest in the property so they, along with John H. Coale, living in Baltimore, sold the property to Enoch M. Smith the same year. In 1928, Smith sold the property to George W. Klair (1901-1991) and his wife, Lillie, to whom it most likely was an investment, because they owned other properties in town. They also were helping George’s parents, Louis and Cora Klair, to run Klair’s Grocery Store on Ontario Street.

In 1951 the Klairs sold this property to Max and Fannie Bullock who were living in Baltimore. Max had been born in Russia and had become a naturalized citizen. After the death of Max, Fannie sold this Harold K. Hanline (1928-2009) and his wife, Anita, in 1961. The Hanlines sold it in 1972 to William D. and Phyllis Ann Bowman, who were the owners when the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties inventory (referenced above) was written in 1976. It was noted then that the house had been divided into three apartments, adding, “In the process almost all the walls were paneled, leaving no indication of woodwork or trim.” It is not known, however, how long ago the interior had been converted to apartments.

Another inventory comment reads, “This frame dwelling with its strong, simple lines is unusual for Havre de Grace where most frame structures being built later are completed by Eastlake verandahs and trim.” This confirms that this building is quite plain and not remarkable to look at, although it has more history than many others in the town.

The property was purchased as an investment property by the late David E. Rimel (1943-2015) and his wife, Carol, in 1982 who are still listed as the owners.

County Records
Built 1800. Apartments, 2567 sq ft, 2 stories no basement, 5 baths, 2820 sq ft lot.