Oehmig House
1516 Richland Street

Also constructed about 1912, the Oehmig House is almost an identical twin to the Boozer-Crumpler House, at 1529 Laurel Street. Like its neighbor, the home reflects the Neoclassical style. Similar to both homes is a colossal portico featuring an oculus window and a balcony above a projecting entryway dominates its façade. However, several characteristics that set the Oehmig House apart include its frieze's swag-and-festoon motif, a porte cochere on its west elevation, and fluted Corinthian columns that adorn the façade.

At the time of its construction by architect and real estate investor J.C. Coulter, the home cost an estimated $10,000. While Mrs. Coulter worked as a schoolteacher and was an active member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, she apparently attended to boarders as well, as the home seemingly has always been open for renters. In fact, during the hardship of the Depression, the Coulters added a second kitchen on the second story to gain more rental income. They made other changes to the property in early 1935 by adding a garage apartment in the back of the house and enclosing it back porch. Later that same year the Coulters sold the house/apartment as a "winter home" to Isabelle Oehmig and her husband, Carl. Widowed in 1955, Mrs. Oehmig modernized the building's upstairs and the additional rear apartments with hot water facilities and a gas stove. The couple's daughter Millicent gained a degree at Columbia College in Home Economics and later married Hevis Blair Graham. In 1955, she moved in with her widowed mother as a widow herself and lived there as late as 1978, still renting apartments.

About 1990, the mansion was renovated for use as office space by its current owners, Bowers, Ellison, & Associates.

Staci Richey and John Sherrer

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