The land on which this beautifully maintained Craftsman home was later built, along with four adjoining lots, had been acquired by William A. Bailey (1816-1873) from his father, Asahel Bailey, and other Bailey family members as early as 1858. William Bailey’s heirs, through court trustees, sold the land in 1906 to an agent for David A. Fisher. Each lot fronted 60 feet on the east side of Washington Street running back 200 feet to Strawberry Lane.

In 1913, David A. Fisher and Mary K. Fisher sold two of the five lots (396 and 406) to William F. Day (1865-1934) and Mary H. Day. Six years later, William and Mary sold this Lot 396 to their son, Willard H. Day and his wife, Blanche P. Day. It is estimated that Willard and Blanche built this home around 1920 and raised their children here.

This house appears to have been a Sears Roebuck Model Kit Home. A standard Sears Catalog Home Kit contained around 25 tons of materials, more than 30,000 parts, 750 lbs of nails, along with a 75-page instruction book that were shipped directly to the purchaser. The 370 different designs were only offered in Sears mail order catalogs between 1908 and 1940. Sears houses built after 1916 have stamped lumber elements that can be found in attics or basements. Pictures of some models are listed online at: http://arts-crafts.com/archive/sears/, but many homes have since been modified. Between 1908 and 1940 Sears sold about 75,000 homes with 370 different designs by mail order in all 48 states, including several in Havre de Grace (due to the convenience of the railroad).

Willard H. Day predeceased Blanche in 1946 and Blanche Day died in 1974 leaving their estate to their three children, Paul P. Day, Willard F. Day, and Dorothy Day Reichl. The heirs sold this home to Robert W. and Shirley A. Anderson in 1974. Three years later, the Andersons sold the home to Albert and Carmen Marflak, two medical professionals who moved to Havre de Grace from California. Albert Marflak became the Chief Respiratory Therapist at Harford Memorial Hospital and Carmen was a nurse anesthetist. Albert Marflak was also a Vietnam veteran who had been awarded a Purple Heart for his service.

When the Marflaks moved to South Carolina, they sold this charming home in 1982 to Richard Lawrence Holly, who became a much-loved member of the community. He and his wife, Karen, lived in this home and raised their daughter, Michelle, here. But it was for “Mr. Holly’s” dedication as a teacher at Havre de Grace High School that he became so well known. He taught several subjects and coached many sports teams in his 43 years at the school before retiring. Richard Holly was a pillar in the community, serving on many committees and Treasurer of Community Projects of Havre de Grace, and making events possible such as the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for those in need. The month after he died, several floats in the February 2017 Mardi Gras Parade that were created by high school students paid tribute to and honored him.

In 2018 the home was purchased from Richard Holly’s estate by Linda and David Sorum who continue to enjoy this home.

County Records
Built 1926. 1392 sq ft, 2 stories with basement, 3 beds, 1.5 baths, 7154 sq ft lot.