100-year-old Dr. Thomas E. Morrow home restored
Published 4:40 pm Monday, January 10, 2011
Bob and Ellie Gordon, owners of the Dr. Thomas E. and Hattie Henson Morrow home in Gowensville, have restored the historic structure to its original appearance for its centennarian anniversary.
Intricate exterior features of the houses original appearance have been restored.
The home stood empty for a number of years without upkeep, before the Gordons purchased it in 1981.
Restoring the interior proved to be a more daunting task. Complete replacement of wiring and plumbing lines and fixtures was necessary to match todays standards. Only one original light fixture was in the house when purchased, and all fireplace mantles had been removed.
The kitchen presented a distinct challenge. Only partial cabinets were left by previous residents, which had to be matched. Walls, almost two inches thick, presented their own problems, and refurbishment of the horse hair plaster proved a tedious task.
The home is located on one of three adjoining tracts, which Dr. Morrow purchased in 1907, 1909 and 1911 comprising a total of 212 acres between Middle Tyger River and Goodjoin Road. It is near the intersection of Goodjoin Road and Morrow Drive.
Dr. Morrow served families of Gowensville, Oak Grove, Motlow Creek, Ebenezer Welcome and Glassy Mountain communities until his death, at age 76, in 1940.