ERIE INSURANCE — GIDEON BALL HOUSE

Client: Erie Insurance
Location: 135 East Sixth St., Erie, Pennsylvania
Contractor: Kidder Jefferys Construction
Dates: Original building — 1862; Renovations complete — 2016
Size: 8,500 SF

The Gideon Ball House was built as an Italianate-style, single-family home in 1862. Mr. Ball’s daughter, Oceana, lived in the home until 1933 and opened it up to other women. After her death, the Ball Home continued to operate as a residential home for elderly ladies until 1974.

The property was acquired by Erie Insurance in 1992 and renovated for use as modern office space. Kidder Architects renovated the property in 2016. Several rooms had been divided for use as smaller offices and the 1862 staircase had been relocated. The goal of this project was to uncover and restore the building’s original architectural interior details and floor plans, including the location of the staircase. Modern building systems and all new finishes were added, while maintaining the building’s historic quality. The renovation project included architectural, civil, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, technology and security engineering services.

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HISTORIC MARKER

This Italianate-style mansion was built in 1862 for the Hon. Gideon J. Ball (1811–1886). A silversmith and farmer, Ball became clerk of Erie town council in 1836 then county auditor and treasurer. He served seven terms in the State House of Representatives and as a Whig, was elected state treasurer 1849–1850. During the Civil War, he was a Union Army major. Daughter Oceana "Osie" (1843–1933) lived here until her death at age 90. From 1933 to 1974, this was the Ball Home for the "Aged, Respectable, Maiden Ladies of the Episcopal Faith.