Created By: Freeport Memorial Library
Miracle House (also referred to as the Spite House) is located at 146 West Lena Avenue. A real estate dispute developed between John J. Randall and the Warranty Realty Company over the placement of the roads.
In 1902, Lena Avenue stopped at Long Beach Avenue. East of that street both firms engaged in furious competition. Warranty Realty wanted to extend Lena Avenue west in a straight line so it could gain maximum space for new lots. This plan would cut the size of Randall's proposed lots to the south. Randall felt that this would make his lots less desirable. This led Randall to erect a house “built in one day.” However, it is doubtful that construction of the house was completed in one day. Most likely, it was framed and partially shingled within a 24 hour period.
The Freeport Landmarks Preservation Commission dedicated a roadside marker on the property in 1999. The marker misidentifies the date of construction of the house as 1906.
This point of interest is part of the tour: Sailing Through Freeport's History
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