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3413 Marion Drive
Tampa, FL 33637

The neighborhood is full of distinguished homes from a time when Grays Harbor was a wood basket for the growing West, and the people benefiting most were making big statements with the houses they built. They have newspaper clippings showing that from 1910 until 1948, Crary and his father-in-law, James Carter, were responsible for taking the local rainfall measurements and reporting them to the federal government.

With a sloping yard, the home sits well above the street and faces south, looking out over downtown and the Chehalis River as it widens to form Grays Harbor. From the street, the house looks imposing: two flights of wide-set concrete steps with stone side walls funnel guests up to a circular porch and double entry through a pair of white, Greek-style columns. Large, sliding wooden doors were installed to separate the mirrored floorplans, but the Hulschers seldom close them. Throughout the house, the Craftsman-style woodwork and built-in cabinetry is impressive both for the craftsmanship and the quality of tight-grained, old-growth lumber it was made from.

The bedrooms are on the second floor, which has stairs up to a huge attic where rafters and exposed woodwork again show off the size and quality of the lumber, which probably came from one of the many local mills. This large flat area on the rooftop surrounded by a heavy, metal railing offers a spectacular view of the Harbor and the ocean. Sherry taught English in the Hoquiam School District for 25 years and was a longtime violinist for the Grays Harbor Symphony. She doesn’t play much now because of arthritis, but musical instruments including a piano are present throughout the house, as much to entice grandchildren as for any other reason. Ron has had a long career in financial administration and still works part-time for Summit Pacific Medical Center. The size of the house has made it a logical crossroads and gathering spot over the years for kids and their friends, but that’s not all.

Ron remembers a time when a traveling choral group from Gonzaga Prep in Spokane was looking for host families in Aberdeen. The Hulschers said they they’d take two people – but plans fell through with some of the other volunteer hosts, leaving a busload with no place to go.

A large entryway greets visitors through a pair of front doors. Sliding doors can be used to partition one half of the house from the other. This is the left side’s foyer.
A large entryway greets visitors through a pair of front doors. Sliding doors can be used to partition one half of the house from the other. This is the left side’s foyer.
The Hulscher home on Eighth Street in Aberdeen was originally built to serve as two connected homes, and the symmetry of the exterior features demonstrates that.
The Hulscher home on Eighth Street in Aberdeen was originally built to serve as two connected homes, and the symmetry of the exterior features demonstrates that.
One side of the main floor is painted in bright colors. Sherry says she just plunks on the piano a bit, but some of the younger family members are showing interest in the piano. This room may originally have been a dining room, adjacent to one of the two original kitchens.
One side of the main floor is painted in bright colors. Sherry says she just plunks on the piano a bit, but some of the younger family members are showing interest in the piano. This room may originally have been a dining room, adjacent to one of the two original kitchens.
This second-floor room serves as a versatile space for visiting grandchildren.
This second-floor room serves as a versatile space for visiting grandchildren.
This large second-floor bedroom is in the front of the house, with a view of downtown Aberdeen and Grays Harbor.
This large second-floor bedroom is in the front of the house, with a view of downtown Aberdeen and Grays Harbor.
Both of the home’s original clawfoot tubs are still in use. The house has, however, been updated to include showers.
Both of the home’s original clawfoot tubs are still in use. The house has, however, been updated to include showers.
In a room that Ron uses as an office is the access to an old main switch for the house's electricity. It's not hooked up anymore, but he says the grandkids get a kick out of it.
In a room that Ron uses as an office is the access to an old main switch for the house's electricity. It's not hooked up anymore, but he says the grandkids get a kick out of it.
Sherry and Ron Hulscher have one of the best views on Grays Harbor from the crow’s nest on top of their home.
Sherry and Ron Hulscher have one of the best views on Grays Harbor from the crow’s nest on top of their home.
The original hardware for a set of sliding doors displays a beautiful patina. These doors separate a pair of upstairs bedrooms.
The original hardware for a set of sliding doors displays a beautiful patina. These doors separate a pair of upstairs bedrooms.
This is the view to the left upon entering the front doors. Through the columns is a dining room with bay windows.
This is the view to the left upon entering the front doors. Through the columns is a dining room with bay windows.
The original Craftsman-style woodwork has been left unpainted in much of the house. Below this window is a large bank of built-in cabinetry in a room that may have originally been a formal dining room.
The original Craftsman-style woodwork has been left unpainted in much of the house. Below this window is a large bank of built-in cabinetry in a room that may have originally been a formal dining room.

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