The Anchorage
Anchorage at night following removal of elevator shaft and reopening of passageway to porch. January 2024
Aerial view of the Anchorage north side entrance with OH Route 7 at upper right. Posted at Hidden Marietta by Diane Dane.
Overlooking Historic Harmar Village in Marietta, Ohio, is the imposing ashlar sandstone Italianate villa known as "The Anchorage" and the "Putnam Mansion". This home, built in 1859 by Douglas Putnam for his wife, Eliza, comprises 22 rooms and a grand tall campanile that fronts the house. From the tower room, the largest part of Marietta and its two rivers can be viewed. John Slocomb was the architect and master builder. The walls are made of 24" thick sandstone quarried from the top of the hill behind the house. The foundation is of solid rock and all wood used in the house is locally grown oak. The mansion was purchased by WCHS in the 1990s.
The Anchorage is best remembered as Edward MacTaggert's residence. Using wealth accumulated from oil wells in Oklahoma, Mr. MacTaggart restored the home and furnished it with treasures from his many worldwide travels. From the tower room, the largest part of Marietta and its two rivers can be viewed. This mansion served as the residence of many prominent Marietta citizens including Harry Knox (owner of the Knox Boatyard and originator of the name the Anchorage), Dorothy James Roberts (author), Sophia Russell (Marietta College) and the Merydith family (bridge-builders). The mansion is currently undergoing rehabilitation, by its owner, the Washington County Historical Society.
First Floor Entry Hall (MacTaggert era) between the two entrances to the parlor.
Anchorage Parlor (MacTaggert era) view toward first floor entry hall.
Anchorage front yard in winter (MacTaggart era)
Private history tours are available through the Washington County Historical Society and can be available on most days at 11:00 a.m. The tour can last an hour or more (as per interest of the guest) with the cost of $15.00 per person. The tour will include architectural features of the mansion and information about the mansion’s past residents.
The first floor has been mostly renovated while the second floor is in the state of “arrested decay” from the days when the mansion was a nursing home and then totally abandoned for ten years. Visitors will be able to look over the city from the tower room.
Private WCHS historical tours have been suspended until Spring. They will resume in April 2024
For ghost tours, visit the website of our tenant, Hidden Marietta, or call them at 740-629-0033
