Bringing the Blackwell House back to life
Chuck Orr stands in front of the Blackwell House during its restoration. Courtesy of Chuck Orr
Chuck Orr stands with a door made in part from the original roof on the Blackwell House. Orr has owned the house since 2018.
DAVID BERNAUER/Press
The Blackwell House as it currently stands today.
DAVID BERNAUER/Press
One of three original clawfoot tubs in the house alongside new tiling.
DAVID BERNAUER/Press
A renovated front room which had originally been the porch when the house was first built.
DAVID BERNAUER/Press
What the front room looked like before Orr refurbished the house.
Zillow photo
The Blackwell House before Orr had purchased and refurbished the home.
Zillow photo
Orr's son Clay doing demo work inside the house.
Courtesy of Chuck Orr
Orr's son Caleb and friend Patrick Wilson apply spray foam as part of restoring the Blackwell House.
Courtesy of Chuck Orr
The banisters on the stairs are new, modeled after the original banister which was left in place at the top of the stairs in this photo.
DAVID BERNAUER/Press
People say items are built to last. But Spirit Lake resident and newly appointed City Councilman Chuck Orr saw otherwise when he happened upon the Blackwell House. Originally owned by area lumber magnate Frederick Blackwell, the house had fallen into disrepair over the past 120 years. Orr decided he would refurbish it.
“It was in such rough shape, but there was something that just drew me to it,” Orr said. “It was so overgrown with trees and lilac bushes and everything that you could hardly see it.”
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