This property and the adjacent open lot at 605 Ontario Street are one large parcel of land with only this house remaining at #623. The James Hopper House, at 605 Ontario Street, was built in 1864 but was burned down by arson in 1989 while owned by David Malin who lives in this home. Harford County Records include that open lot with this property, but see that address for notes on 605 Ontario Street.

Harford County records show a “built date” of 1904 for this house. If that is accurate, it may have been built by James Hopper’s heirs, Mabel Hopper Morgan (1883-1959) and Henry Barnes Hopper (1866-1949). (Mabel’s husband, Frank Morgan, died of Spanish Flu in 1917, leaving her a widow with young children.) Without records to indicate otherwise, it is assumed that ownership of this house followed ownership of 605 Ontario Street.

In 1966 a construction company known as Knight and Mears, Inc., was located in this home. The home was owned at the time by Dale T. Knight and his wife, Lois, whose business partner was David Mears. After the 1970 death of Dale Knight, David Mears moved the business to 629 Revolution Street, where David and his wife, Jean Mears, continued the business until David’s death in 1982. Jean Mears was well known for her commitment to the community and volunteerism. She also was instrumental in raising funds for the building of the Havre de Grace Community Center on Lagaret Lane. 

In 1992, owner David L. Malin, along with Rose Marie Venuto, opened their home to the Annual Candlelight Tour. David Malin, the son of Harry G. and Flora Harris Malin, had done a restoration of this three-story Gothic style home. The entrance hall had sliding pocket doors into the living room and period light fixtures were used throughout the house. The dining room had an interesting fireplace mantle with an antique brass gas grill and an unusual collection of Flower Frogs. The “old time” kitchen contained a Clark spool cabinet and other old kitchen items. The master bedroom was decorated in a suite of 1930s depression furniture and a large Victorian wardrobe made in 1883 at Shrewsbury Mill, Pennsylvania. The upstairs sitting room housed an oak ball and claw-footed bookcase with bombe drawers. Many items in the spare bedroom were handed down from David Malin’s grandmother of the Harris-Williams family.

In 1997, David Malin opened his home again to the Annual Candlelight Tour. His daughter Hannah’s nursery featured painted furniture and dolls by local doll artist Susan Snodgrass. Latin American folk art, collected during the Malins’ travels, was displayed along with other family heirlooms. David Malin continues to live in this house, filled with antiques.

County Records
Built 1904. 1496 sq ft, 2.5 stories, 1 bath, detached garage, 29,400 sq ft lot.