Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect the correct spelling of Austin Carte.
The keys to the historic Huber Home in Marion have been turned over to new owners as a new generation takes up its preservation.
The Huber Home was built in 1908 by Frank Huber, the son of one of Marion’s pioneering industrialists, Edward Huber. Bob and Connie Goyer bought the home in 2011 and have been living there ever since.
The Goyers’ interest in the Hubers was sparked during their renovation of the Uhler building, built by Edward Huber. During the process of renovating the building, the Goyers learned how important Huber was to shaping an early Marion.
Edward Huber, an inventor, revolutionized farming techniques through his patented hay rake. He’d go on to found the Huber Manufacturing Company and the Marion Steam Shovel Company, both bringing thousands of jobs to Marion.
Edward Huber’s son, Frank, would continue his family’s legacy and become president of Marion Power Shovel. In 1908, he’d oversee the construction of his new home on 416 E. Church Street.
“I don’t think there’s any other family in Marion that made Marion what it is than the Hubers,” Bob Goyer said. “Harding was president, but he wasn’t the guy that brought industry and business into Marion. That was the Hubers.”
As a prominent Marion businessman, Frank Huber was a close friend to Warren G. Harding. Goyer imagines the two men must have had many talks leading up to Harding’s bid for the presidency.
“They would have had those discussions in this house,” Goyer said.
The Goyers restored the home to its former glory
The home is three stories and more than 8,000 square feet, with many of the original historical elements still present in the home.
Goyer described Frank Huber as “meticulous” in his oversight of the construction of the home. Visitors may notice consistent details throughout the home such as amber and green colors, hand-carved wood paneling, ornamental light fixtures and hand-painted stained glass original to the home.
“This house you can tell is all Frank,” Goyer said.
When the Goyers bought the home, they were set on restoring and renovating it to reflect what it would have looked like when Frank Huber called it home.
During their renovation, the Goyers updated the paint, repaired decorative molding and relaid the home’s flooring. They had contractors make some improvements to home’s plumbing and electrical work as well as the roofing.
The Goyers used the home as their personal residence, but also rented it out as a venue for meetings, receptions or other events. The Huber family even visited for their family reunion every five years.
As stewards of the home, the Goyers filled it with vintage furniture and similar decor to what would have been present in the home during the Huber’s time. In their research, the Goyers uncovered the home’s original blueprints, photos of the Hubers and other historic documents. Goyer intends to leave those pieces with the home when they leave.
“We know our time is done,” Goyer said. “It’s time to pass this on to, hopefully, somebody that wants to keep the historical nature of it.”
A new generation commits to caring for the Huber Home
Austin Carte, a Marion developer, has taken up the mantle of managing the home. He purchased the home for $550,000. Carte bought the Huber home and previously bought the Uhler building, owned first by the Goyers.
Carte already has plans for the renovations he’d like to make to further what the Goyers set out to do in restoring the home back to its original state.
“I’ve always admired the home,” Carte said. “And I’ve always liked the look of it and the story behind it, but never did I think I’d have the chance to be able to own it or purchase it.”
Just as the Goyers did, Carte plans to live in the Huber Home while seeing to the continuation of its historic legacy in Marion.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion’s historic Huber Home finds new owner
Reporting by Abby Bammerlin, Marion Star / Marion Star
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