The Carlisle-Loraine house is one of the few unchanged residences in Philipsburg. Photographs from 1900 could be mistaken for the house of present day on the corner of Centre and Oak Streets.

The home was built in 1889 for Henry Carlisle. He had been orphaned at 3 years of age and was raised by his uncle, Major Lorenzo Carlisle. After Major Lorenzo’s death in 1882, Carlisle’s guardian commissioned the house to be built for the 20 year old heir.
Carlisle eventually sold the house to his cousin, Charles Loraine in 1900. The house remained in the family for the next 75 years.

The Carlisle-Loraine house successfully combines two styles of architecture popular at the time. The Queen Anne style was originated in England. This style is recognized by its asymmetrical design, and can include elements such as irregular roof lines, tall chimneys, towers, and projecting bays and porches. Evidence of this style can be seen in the home’s sweeping porch and tower. The second style is an American innovation known as the stick style. Wall and exterior treatments are used to suggest the structure of the house. The stick is most evident inside the house, but examples can be found in the brickwork of the two tall chimneys with the vertical and horizontal patterns.

Photo gallery coming soon!