Photos by AP Imagery
Tucked away on Freeman Avenue, just off of Griffith, this craftsman is full of charm and a lot of local history. It was built in 1926 by Fleming Bowlds and his wife, Ella.
Bowlds was a real estate developer, beginning his career in the 1930s. He is responsible for the development of the Lexington Avenue, Fleming Park, Maple Avenue, Mayfair Drive and Winston Avenue areas of Owensboro. Later in his career, he partnered with Carlos Jagoe to convert the old Central Junior High School into the Jagoe-Bowlds Building at 920 Frederica Street, now known as the Midtown Building.Bowlds died in 1970, and Ella remained in the home until her death in 1988. It was then that the second owners of 1718 Freeman Avenue, Steve and Pat McFarling, bought the home from Ella’s estate.
“I fell in love with the home almost from the first time I walked through the door,” Pat said. “As a matter of fact, we made an offer to purchase that same day!”
Pat says she has always liked older homes and the uniqueness and character of the Craftsman on Freeman appealed to her right away.
The open floor plan, which was unusual for a home of this era, was one feature the McFarlings loved, along with the dining room, detailed with a wall of built-ins and window seat, as well as a comfy sunroom.
The home bears many of the common characteristics of traditional Craftsman-style homes built in the early 20th century – like its triangular roof line, dormers, deep overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, multi-pane windows and stone-topped porch piers. Inside, the built-in cabinets and bookcases, as well as unique custom woodworking are true Craftsman features.
Over the years, the McFarlings did make some changes, like renovating the kitchen and bathrooms and extending the living space with an addition on the back of the home.
“But we always made an effort to retain the character of the home,” Pat said.
The McFarlings recently sold their little piece of history, ready to move on to their next chapter. And the house on Freeman, built nearly a century ago, is ready for its third owners to call it home.
About the Realtor
Ryan Rutman has been selling homes in Owensboro for over 13 years. He was honored to help the McFarlings through the process of selling their home on Freeman Avenue.
“We feel very fortunate to have selected Ryan to sell our home,” Pat said. “Working with him has been a pleasure. His knowledge of the real estate market and responsiveness to our needs and questions put us at ease. I highly recommend him!”
Ryan has grown his real estate team to include his wife, business partner, and fellow Realtor, Chivonne, as well as Realtors Stephanie Hardesty and Katie Drab. The Ryan Rutman Group is available to help both buyers and sellers navigate the current real estate market. For them, it’s not about the houses, but about the relationships formed along the way.
Are you looking to buy or sell a home? Contact the Ryan Rutman Group today!
