The History of this Queen Anne Style Home

John Talman Mack and his wife, Flora Alice purchased this lot in 1887. The original, though smaller, frame & stone house was built in 1891, using limestone taken from East & West Parks (across the street) which was a quarry at that time.

John T. was born in Rochester, NY in 1846. John T. met Flora Alice Davemport, while both were attending Oberlin College. They married after graduating, in 1873. A year later, he joined his brother, Isaac F. Mack, as part-owner & business manager of “I.F. Mack & Bro.”, proprietors of The Sandusky Register. John took over the firm in 1909, after his brother retired, and continued as Editor & Publisher until his death (1914). John was also one of the founders of the Associated Press.

John T. and Flora Alice had 5 children: John D., Egbert, Alice, Ethel & Penelope.

After John T.’s death, his wife Flora Alice acted as President of the Sandusky Register Publishing Co., until her death (1925). The Mack sons, Egbert & John D., succeeded their father, Egbert as Editor, and John D. as Business Manager. Daughter, Penelope, married Charles J. Stark, also associated with the Register. In addition to their work with the Sandusky Register, Egbert & John D. were officers in The Mack Iron Works, founded when John D. and A. C. Blinn acquired the Crandell Iron & Fence Co.(1901).

John D. Mack married Blanche Ford Emich (Emmick?) of Toledo, a widow & mother of 3 yr old daughter, Margaret. After the death of Flora Alice, John D. and Blanche took ownership of the home. John D. purchased 26 feet on the south side of the property (owned by Josephine Ziphel) to widen the property and enlarge the home. John D. passed away in 1941. His step-daughter, Margaret, married Lucas “Lucky” Montrose Bacon, who became Gen. Mgr. of Mack Iron Works.

After John D.’s death, Margaret & Lucky Bacon made this their home for 20 years, before moving their family to Huron. Margaret & Lucky’s son, John Lucas Bacon, later became President of Mack Iron Works, which is still in operation today.

After being vacant for a short time, the property was sold in January of 1962, to Dr. Robert J. and Joan Kromer. Before the sale to Dr. & Mrs. Kromer, the Bacons had been approached by a potential buyer, whose plan was to use the home as a Funeral Parlor. When the Bacons met Dr. & Mrs. Kromer, and learned of their 5 young children + 1 on the way, they sold the home to the Kromers.

In the late ‘60’s, Bob & Joan extensively remodeled the kitchen, and 2 bedrooms, to accommodate life with 6 children: Kathy, Tom, Susan, Stephen, Wendy & Jim.

Dr. Bob was a family physician with his own practice; Joan had her hands full with raising their children, home & garden reno projects, and working with Bob. Both were very active with organizations such as the Knights of Columbus; St. Mary’s Church & Education Fund; state & national Osteopathic Associations; establishing the Ohio University College of Osteopathy; and the Sandusky Concert Association. Thru Joan’s Directorship of the Concert Association, many post Concert gatherings took place at the home. These gatherings included world-renowned artists such as pianist Van Cliburn; cellist YoYo Ma; and the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico.

In the mid 1980’s, after the children were on their own, Joan started the “1890 Queen Anne B & B”. For 10 years, Joan & Bob loved sharing the history of the home and Sandusky with visitors. Joan passed away unexpectedly in 1996. Bob ran the B&B until 1998, when he moved to Florida. The home was then occupied by daughter Kathy and her husband Gene Goff, and their children, until 2003.

From 2004 to the present, the 1890 Queen Anne is owned & operated by Bob & Joan’s youngest daughter, Wendy, and her husband Scott Schell.

Wendy, upon receiving her BA in Fashion Merchandising, left the US for Paris, where she worked as a runway model. From Paris, her work grew to include many European & Japanese fashion houses. For 10 years she divided her time between Paris & Tokyo, with travel stints all over the globe. Upon returning to the US, Wendy settled in NYC, and turned her attention to a career in the Pastry Arts. This path led her to Martha Stewart, where she became an Editor for Martha Stewart Living and Weddings magazines, and was the company’s go-to artist for wedding cakes & decorated cookies. Wendy’s work has been featured in Martha Stewart magazines, books & television, as well as other, numerous publications. In 2004, after the couple moved to Sandusky, Wendy opened her cake design studio and retail bakery, in downtown Sandusky.

Scott grew up in Wilton CT, and received his BA in Psychology, at University of Colorado. Upon his graduation he moved to Colorado Springs where he worked in the city & county’s Parks Operations & Maintenance. There he received his Master Gardener certification. Scott eventually moved to NYC, where he met Wendy (2001). After the coupled married and moved to Sandusky, Scott continued his public service career working for the City of Sandusky and Erie County, and also served as a City Commissioner

In 2018, after serious storm damage to Wendy’s retail bakery, the couple did an extensive renovation to the cooking kitchen and an adjacent room at the home, in order to move Wendy’s business into the 1890 Queen Anne….a most perfect fit for her “bespoke” business.

With the updates to the home, Wendy & Scott are delighted to, once again, share the history & beauty of the 1890 Queen Anne B&B.