Mary Kahler
Mary's interest in construction and renovation of old houses has continued thru major rehabilitation on 11 homes in three states. Numbers 10 and 11 on Elm Street in Grinnell, Iowa were the most extensive projects she has undertaken.
The largest was built in the 1880s and after being a magnificent home became the city’s hospital with six huge bedrooms on the upper floor. It stood empty for many years, the roof was falling in and snow and water were demolishing the interior.
The cellar was caving in so there was no adequate support for the entire building. Mary put a new roof on immediately, then had the house jacked up, the cellar scraped out and the house moved north ten feet and set back on the new basement foundation.
She had new windows matching the early photos installed, tore out the insides preparatory to remodeling. But, along came a wealthy lawyer with six children who wanted to buy it, now that the hard work was done. To date he has spent some $200,000 making it the “toast of the town”.
The other house in Grinnell was the old Harry Hopkins home across the street from the one listed above. Harry Hopkins was the Secretary of State for President Roosevelt.
Again, this house had been left unattended for more than fifteen years. When the big house was being raised Mary had the small one jacked up and a new basement put in which preserved the integrity of this home also.
All the rooms were redone, 1950s carpets were pulled up and wood floors sanded and sealed, walls repaired, a complete new kitchen and two bathrooms were installed. This house now has a Historic Designation from the City of Grinnell.
Other positions in the hospitality industry: being in the food and beverage industry since a teenager with Guest Ranch cooking, working at the Ponderosa Inn in Parker, the Pinery, Arrowhead Restaurant in Roxborough Park, the Tabor in Morrison, the manager at JVB Vineyards, CA, and the Sonoma Mission Inn in Sonoma, CA from cook, to hostess, to manager, handling the bar operation, ordering the food, etc.