This land was part of the same parcel of five contiguous lots owned by Thomas Earp (1785-1868) of Philadelphia and sold in 1891 to James T. “Jim” Holly (1849-1935) and on which 801 South Washington Street was built. Jim, the youngest of John “Daddy” Holly’s sons, was born and raised in Havre de Grace along with his brothers, John Jr. and William. Jim, a boat builder and craftsman by trade, is said to have made the most seaworthy bushwack or sneak boats on the Susquehanna Flats. But he is better known today for the sleek black duck decoys that he carved for years. Jim and his wife, Irene Cobourn Holly, sold this lot on the northeast corner of Giles and South Washington Streets in 1919 to George Taylor “Tad” Lyon (1896-1983) and his wife, Helen H. Lyon. Tad was named by his parents, Dr. Andrew Lincoln and Sarah Lyon, after Andrew’s father, George Taylor Lyon, who died in 1891.

This is one of four similarly designed colonial houses in a row built by Tad and Helen Lyon in 1919. But in order for them not to look like “cookie cutter” houses, the finish on each house was different; this one is stucco. There was a shortage of housing after the War and they felt the houses would be a good investment. The lot on which Tad and Helen Lyon built this specific house used to stretch eastward on the north side of Giles Street to Strawberry Lane. However, the Lyons divided this lot in 1928, and built the house that now fronts on 353 Giles Street for other family members.

It was in this house that Tad and Helen raised their children, just a couple of houses away from where Tad had grown up at 908 South Washington Street. One of their sons, Marine Corporal James H. Lyon, a graduate of West Nottingham Academy in Colora, was awarded a Bronze Star for his part in the capture of Iwo Jima in February 1945. On his return from the War, James continued to live in this house and it was he who took over the running of the Lyon’s Pharmacy on St. John Street from his father, George Taylor “Tad” Lyon, when Tad was ready to retire. During those years, James was joined by another pharmacist, Richard Long.

Renovated in 1950, this home underwent another major renovation in 2005 with an addition. It was bequeathed by James H. Lyon (1924-2004) to Richard Long in 2005 (who by then was running Lyon’s Pharmacy on St. John Street). Richard Long sold it the same year to James and Faye Cook who made significant improvements including the addition of a gourmet kitchen, a sunroom and the master bedroom. In the process, the Cooks preserved several original features, including the hardwood floors, a Juliet balcony and a hidden staircase.

In 2014, the Cooks relocated out of state and sold this home to Kimberly F. and Greg Jacobs who have a daughter, Tori Jacobs, and continue to own it.

County Records
Built 1950. 1974 sq ft, 2.5 baths, 2 stories with basement, detached garage.