In August 1889 the Mayor and City Council agreed to allow John Faust & Son to construct a shoe factory at 701 Fountain Street that would be exempt from city taxes for 50 years. It was renamed Faust Schocke Shoe Company, as shown on the 1885 and 1894 Sanborn Insurance Maps, but it went out of business quickly. This house, along with 200 South Stokes Street, 618 Bourbon Street, and 617 Fountain Street were fairly imposing Queen Anne Style residences, said by the Maryland Historic Trust to have been built for superintendents of the Shoe Company. In 1900, the property was purchased by Winfield S. Reynolds, who had married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Carver in 1889 in the Havre de Grace Methodist Church. His deed to the house references his rights to a “wastewater drainpipe,” already laid underground.

In 1910, this became the residence of Fannie E. and Raymond Mitchell, and their son, Clyde Mitchell. After the death of his parents, Clyde Mitchell and his wife, Lucy became the owners.

Harry G. Malin (1921-2005) and his wife, Flora May Malin, purchased this Victorian home from John M. Harris, Sr. and family in 1966. John Harris was a local politician who was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Maryland in 1960 and 1964. Harry Malin later became President of the Susquehanna Museum of the Lockhouse and in 1979 was the founder of the local theater group, the Tidewater Players, who still perform productions in the Opera House. Harry’s goal for the Players then remains as their mission today: “To bring quality theater to the Havre de Grace community, as well as Harford County, and to provide a forum for theatrical expression and interest.”

After refurbishing the home, the Malins opened it for the 1973 Annual Candlelight Tour. The house was large, with 14 rooms, and the Malins displayed several historical items that they had collected for the planned Museum of the Lockhouse. It featured fine white pine woodwork in natural finish, sliding pocket doors and Victorian décor. A two-story wing was at the rear with a gable roof and a three-sided glass and wood enclosure surrounded the front door. The home had a large two-story separate garage with living quarters above it, which remains. Following a major renovation of the home in 2004, the Malins received an award from the Havre de Grace Historic Preservation Commission in 2005.

Harry Malin was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Air Force and both he and his wife, Flora, were buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In June 2013, the home was purchased by Armando Estrada and his family who enjoy the home’s original historic qualities that fit well with their antique furniture collection.

County records
Built 1950. 2730 sq ft, 2.5 stories with basement, 2 baths, detached garage, 13,260 sq ft lot.