Author: Big Old Houses

  • Vancroft Mansion Fire

    Vancroft Mansion
    1500 Brinker Road
    Wellsburg, WV 26070

    Vancroft Mansion (also known as Aspen Manor, Bubble Manor, and the Knights of St. George mansion), caught fire just after midnight Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Having been fully engulfed in flames, details about the extent of the damage from the fire have not been released.


    From the Franklin Community Volunteer Fire Department:

    Shortly after midnight, members from Wellsburg and Franklin were dispatched to Brinker Road for a reported structure fire. Initial units arrived to find the former Vancroft Mansion fully engulfed in flames. Due to no water in the hydrants on the hill multiple mutual aid agencies were dispatched from surrounding counties and water had to be relayed from the Ohio River and a hydrant site at 12th Street to the scene. This scene is still very active, please avoid Brinker Road and Pleasant Ave. A reminder to all, the road leading up to and the buildings within are private property and should be treated as such. Only authorized personell and authorities should be on manor property.

  • Mizner Court 1985

    COME LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF ADDISON MIZNER, AND THE HEART OF BOCA RATON.

    Mizner Court Magazine Advertisement (1985)

    When Addison Mizner created Boca Raton in the 1920’s, for him it was more than just a place to live. It was a state of mind. A quality of life.

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  • Welcome Back To Big Old Houses

    Welcome to the relaunch of Big Old Houses!

    It’s only fitting to start with the Biltmore Estate, which to this day still holds the title of being the largest house in the United States.

    What’s your favorite Big Old House?