In 1797, William and Jeremiah Sturgeon journeyed west of Erie in search
of flooding streams and fertile soil. There, they acquired land from
the Pennsylvania Population Company to plant crops. These two brothers
established the settlement of Sturgeonville, now known as Fairview.
This land was located around a natural geographical ridge that was used
as a pathway for the first road, cut through from the Erie settlement
in 1805 to reach the settlements to the west, such as Cleveland. This
area was part of the 407 acres that William bought. The Sturgeons
operated coach stops and taverns along the roadway that connected
Sturgeonville to the City of Erie. Jeremiah’s daughter, Martha, and his
son-in-law, John Brecht, purchased three acres, from William in 1838
for $422. Brecht subdivided the property into 11 lots, and sold the
easternmost three to Robert Sturgeon in August for $204. On one of
these lots, Jeremiah’s son, Samuel, built the Sturgeon House in 1838.
Some materials used in the construction date to 1820, suggesting an
even earlier construction; however, 1838 is the officially documented
date from government records. The original structure consisted of two
large rooms on the first floor, two smaller bedrooms off to the east
side, and a dormer-like second floor. Robert, who was Samuel’s brother,
enlarged the house during the 1850’s. It is also believed that he
remodeled it to fit Victorian design elements. When Robert died, his
daughter Sarah inherited the house, renting it out for the next 80
years. In August 1979, Robert Charles, who was the surviving child of
Sarah and her husband George Asmus, sold the house and grounds to the
Fairview Area Historical Society. In June 1980, the Sturgeon House was
listed on the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historical Sites, and on
December 10, 1980, was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. The historical society has restored the house for use as a
museum, depository of local historical/genealogical date, and as a
meeting place. In 2002, they removed a poorly constructed addition to
the original house, and added an appropriately designed meeting/exhibit
room with handicap entry onto the south side of the building.
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