31 N. Howard Avenue

Dan and Linda Carroll are the owners of the large brick Tudor Revival home at 31 North Howard Avenue. The house is a fine example of Tudor Revival, a style most popular during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in suburban settings. The Carroll property was part of a three-acre tract owned by the Bayne family in the 19th century and acquired by William Jenkinson, an important real estate broker in Bellevue at the turn-of-the-century in April 1887. Jenkinson divided his property between North Howard and Thomas (North Fremont) Avenues into a plan of lots called the “William Jenkinson Plan.” In February 1909 the property was sold for $3,300, and the house was built soon after. It would stay in the same family until 1961. The house was used as a boarding house from the mid-1960's through 1980. The current owners, Dan and Linda Carroll, acquired the property in 1984. The owners strive to maintain the home while honoring its original features, like the original light fixtures in the living room. The front hallway light fixture, purchased from an antique shop in Bellevue, originated from a house in Brighton Heights. The stained glass windows at the top of the stairs and in the 2nd floor bathroom are also original to the house. The first floor bathroom was originally a pantry, then made into a pink and black tiled bathroom with baby blue fixtures. The current owners 89 updated the bathroom in the mid-90s. They also converted the original nursery into the small 2nd floor office. In the kitchen, a framed area of plaster shows the year 1915 and the name John Davidson Ballard, details that were discovered when wallpaper was removed. John and Margaret Ballard were the grandchildren of Margaret J. Davidson, the house’s first owner. Somewhere else was written “John Davidson Ballard loves Margaret.” The Carrolls feature many works of art in their home including a print in the hallway by Robert Qualters, a painting in the first floor hallway by Bellevue artist Phyllis Riegle, a flower print in the 2nd floor hallway by Pittsburgh artist Barry Jeter, and two paintings by Bosnian/British artist Azra Palos. In addition to these beautiful works of art, perhaps the most loved view in the home is the sight of downtown Pittsburgh seen from the front bedroom window.