This typical Victorian frame building was built on part of the land known as Square #190 (bounded by Juniata Street on the west, Adams Street on the east, Otsego Street to the south, and Ontario Street) and owned by Sarah E. and William Williams when William died in 1890. His heirs-at-law, also named Williams, sold the property in April 1890 to Robert Seneca (1846-1931) and his wife, Caroline. Robert and his brother, Stephen Seneca, were best known for owning the fruit-packing business in the Seneca Warehouse on the waterfront. They also owned considerable property in the city. Six months later in 1890, Robert Seneca sold this single Lot 171 on the southeast corner of Ontario and Juniata Streets to Joseph H. Wileman (1864-1949) and Lillie K. Wileman (1864-1941). Joseph was a greengrocer and butcher; he later worked for the Standard Lime and Stone Company and he and Lillie also ran “Uncle Joe’s” corner grocery store in the early 1900s at nearby 800 North Juniata Street. Together the Wilemans also built some homes on Warren Street and Joseph later served as Bailiff of the City from 1914-1916.

The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of 1894 shows a “dwelling” on this specific corner of Juniata and Ontario Streets, with a “marble works” directly east of the dwelling. It seems likely that the Wilemans built a house here after buying the lot in 1890. In 1903 the Wilemans sold this property to Levanion McEwing (1862-1926) and his second wife, Bertha Seth McEwing (1883-1981). They lived here until Levanion’s death, after which his heirs (Bertha McEwing and her son-in-law Daniel G. Rider) deeded the home to Bertha’s name only.

Bertha McEwing continued to own the home until 1942, although it is not known whether she continued to live here. By 1942, Bertha was living in Wilmington, Delaware, and sold the property to James Melvia Mitchell (born 1901) and his wife, Hazel Izetta Mitchell (1903-1988). The Mitchells moved here from 319 South Washington Street.

These were the heydays for The Graw Racetrack (1915-1952) during which many Havre de Grace families rented space in their homes to racegoers and jockeys. The third floor of this house was one that accommodated such boarders. The Mitchells owned this home for 14 years until April 1956 when they sold it to Alfred S. and Mildred M. Hawley. Five years later, however, title reverted to the Veterans Administration, which sold the home to Alver S. and Biddie Ratledge in 1961.

The Ratledges owned this home through the death of Biddie until the 1973 death of Alver Ratledge, who by then was living in Cecil County. His estate sold the home to Ronald Harvey who one year later sold it to Samuel A. and Jo Ann Maderness. The property changed owners a few more times through the 1990s, including former Mayor Wayne H. Dougherty (1948-2022) who sold it to brothers, Thomas J. Pierce and Robert M. Pierce in 1988. Fourteen years later Thomas Pierce sold this property to Gary Wasielewski of Harford County Public Schools and a former member of the Havre de Grace City Council. Gary and his wife, Amanda Shaffer, set about rehabilitating the formerly divided rental house as a single family home. They were even able to retain the original claw-footed bathtub in the second-floor bathroom.

In November 2020, Gary Wasielewski and Amanda sold this renovated home to Bradley T. Burchette and his wife, Carol D. Burchette, who enjoy making this their home.

County Records
Built 1935, 2106 sq ft, 2.5 stories, 2.5 baths, 6000 sq ft corner lot.