Publisher's Note: This Old House is a series of press articles about local houses that have their own stories to tell.
COEUR d'ALENE – When Felicity Cavanagh first set foot in the century-old house on the corner of Coeur d'Alene Avenue and 7th Street, she knew it was special.
"It just took my breath away," she said.
She walked on the same maple floors as the original occupants of the house, turned the same glass door handles, and entered rooms lit by the original leaded glass windows.
It was once the home of PW Johnson, a boat builder, councilor, and senator for Idaho State.
"He was a really interesting man," said Cavanagh. "He's so attached to the community."
Johnson designed and built at least half of the 50 steamers that once sailed Lake Coeur d'Alene.
He is also credited with building the first electric dredger in the United States, which changed the face of downtown Coeur d'Alene on the waterfront.
His invention literally created the space in which the Coeur d'Alene Resort stands today.
Johnson designed the house on E. Coeur d'Alene Ave. 622, which was built by Johnson's own shipbuilders in 1910.
The house has changed hands twice in the past 48 years. Every time was between friends.
Felicity and Kevin Cavanagh wandered around in a trailer for years before settling in Coeur d'Alene. They used to live only two doors away from their current home.
The previous owners bought the house in the 1970s. At that time there was a beauty salon, insurance office and studio on the ground floor.
The second floor was divided into several studios with separate entrances.
The couple have lovingly restored the house. They lived in it for about 40 years before offering to sell it to the Cavanaghs, who continued the work.
Now, however, it might be time to move on.
"We love Coeur d'Alene and we love this house, but we are dying to travel again," said Felicity Cavanagh.
The home was recently listed for $ 2.2 million.
The property has numerous documents from its storied past, including the original abstract title that dates back to July 2, 1864 when it was only a property.
A photo shows Johnson and his wife in the driveway next to their model T.
Johnson reportedly designed the carriage house on the property with a 180 degree turnstile so he never had to drive backwards. The turnstile is no longer, but the carriage house remains – now a one bedroom cottage with a fully equipped kitchen.
If the buyer doesn't want the documents, Cavanagh said, they will be donated to the Museum of North Idaho.
No additions have been made to the house, which sits on two lots a few blocks from Lake Coeur d'Alene. Each room hints at a rich history.
A colored tile mosaic over a fireplace depicts a gondola in Venice, based on a photo Johnson took of his wife and daughter.
The solarium, in which Johnson's wife grew exotic plants, now includes a laundry room.
The finished basement has a billiard room, a Finnish-style sauna and a shop. The kitchen and bathrooms have been modernized, but retain the charm of the construction period.
At the top of a narrow staircase is an 800 square meter attic where troops slept on camp beds during World War II.
Records show that a food elevator is hidden in one of the walls, but Cavanagh has not yet found it.
Johnson's own desk is in the study next to the entrance. His personal safe is also hidden at home – and it still works. The safe stays in the house.
"It's priceless," said Cavanagh.
The same could be said of most aspects of the home.
In the summer, the Cavanaghs eat all their meals on the spacious porch of their home.
In winter they put homemade cakes on the radiator to keep them warm.
You do all the housework and gardening yourself. It feels less of a chore when a home is this popular.
"That's just a gem," said Felicity Cavanagh. "I love every inch of it."
INFORMATION: Realtor Kathleen Tillman, 208.699.2210,
Kathleen@KathleenTillman.com
source https://seapointrealtors.com/2021/08/01/this-old-house-coeur-dalene-press/
WordPress.com
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