25. Gerber House

166 N. Main St.

This late Victorian two-story house was built in 1885 as part of a small "town" farm. The original house was "L" shaped and the kitchen was a separate building from the house. The most notable features of this house include a hipped roof, scroll decorated windows with nine over nine panes, and a four light transom door. During the Great Depression, two families, those of Claude Wells and Harry Hardesty, operated a poultry farm on the tract. The farm was purchased in 1930s by Edward Schmieding who renovated the house to its current appearance. The farm was deeded to Edward's daughter Dorothy and her husband, Robert H. Gerber and remained in the family until 1991 when it was purchased by the City of Centerville and restored to its original splendor. During the restoration, the limestone foundation of the original house and cistern containing pottery shards were unearthed near the south patio and adjacent to Main Street. A depression to the rear of the house, now the south end of the lake, is thought to be an old limestone quarry. This house is a part of a facility, known as Benham's Grove, which serves as a community meeting and banquet center.

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