This attractive brick Second Empire style duplex with mansard roof has side entrances and side porches; because of their placement it is assumed that it was originally built as a duplex (as was the house directly west of this). This land was part of five lots owned by Robert L. Morgan (1819-1878) and Elizabeth Morgan who sold it in 1865 to Elizabeth Green. This property was then sold in 1875 by William Augustine Green to J. Edward Larkin (1831-1891), who most likely built this house.

Edward Larkin was a very accomplished architect who designed the Vosbury House on South Union Avenue and also a civil engineer with the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad. When Edward Larkin died in 1891 his 1883 Will bequeathed this home to Edward C. Kenly (1852-1909) who “was devoted to Larkin through the years,” the local paper read. Edward Kenly, a bridge carpenter, was married to Cora Charshee Kenley, daughter of Bennett Whittingham Charshee and Catherine of Green Street. Edward Kenly, however, immediately deeded this duplex home to Jane Acton Larkin, the mother of Edward Larkin. Sadly, Edward Kenley was struck and killed by a train in 1909 while working for the PW&B Railroad on a bridge.

By 1903 this property was owned by Dr. Richard H. Smith (1847-1926), who deeded it to his wife, Alice Hall Smith, who both lived 301 North Union Avenue (now gone). Dr. Smith was President of the Columbian Building Association for many years. Upon the death of Alice Smith in 1933, their daughter, Helen T. Smith (1884-1957) inherited this property. Because the Smiths had owned other properties, it is unlikely that Helen Smith lived here. In 1943 Helen Smith sold this duplex to Amos Hughes Spencer (1894-1983) and Dorothy R. Spencer, who were married in 1928 and both from well-known local families. Amos was the son of John H. Spencer and Henrietta Spencer; Dorothy was the daughter of Louis H. and Cora Klair who operated a grocery store at 801 Ontario Street.

Thirty years later, the Spencers sold the duplex to J. Thomas Woolon and his wife, Carolyn. From that date of 1973 forward, both sides of this duplex were sold separately to different owners, as follows.

#509 (easterly side):
In 1974 the Woolons sold this home to Rev. Raymond B. Cuffley (1930-2007) and Edith M. Cuffley, his wife, who had raised three sons and five daughters. Edith predeceased her husband who died in 2007 having spent 34 years pastoring for St. John’s Baptist Association of Havre de Grace and other places. His estate sold this home in 2007 to Richard K. Schmitt, who owned several properties. Just one year later Schmitt sold this house to Travis T. and Alyssa M. Van Bibber who continue to own this home.

#511 (westerly side):
In 1974 the Woolons sold this home to Graham S. Webb, Jr., and Rosemary Webb. However, in 1990 Graham S. Webb, Jr. deeded this home to Rosemary Webb, who continues to own this home 30 years later.

County Records
#509 Built 1870. 1461 sq ft, 2.5 stories, brick, 1.5 baths.
#511 Built 1870. 1461 sq ft, 2.5 stories, brick, 1 bath.