A Fiery Chapter in the History of 506 S Oakland St.

The grand brick colonial home at 506 S Oakland St. has stood for over a century, witnessing countless stories unfold within its walls. But one of the most dramatic chapters occurred in early November 1992, when a devastating fire engulfed the home, leaving a lasting mark on its history.

On that fateful day, the wind howled through the streets of St. Johns as a small crew worked diligently to prep the house for a fresh coat of paint. The home, with its impressive brick facade, required regular maintenance, especially in the nooks and crannies that paintbrushes struggle to reach. The crew, armed with torches, was stripping paint on the upper floor, unaware that the flame had wicked into the interior of the home.

As the crew broke for lunch, they were blissfully unaware of the smoldering danger they had unintentionally set in motion. By the time they returned, what greeted them was not the tranquil scene they had left but a roaring fire that had taken hold of the upper floors.

Inside the house, Agnes, 80 years old at the time, was deeply distressed by the unfolding disaster. The fire primarily raged on the third floor, an area that once served as a ballroom in more opulent times but had since been converted into storage. Though the flames were largely contained to this level, the damage extended beyond. The second floor also sustained some damage, but it was the smoke and water that truly wreaked havoc throughout the home, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

By the end of the day, the 3,300-square-foot basement held about five feet of water, a stark testament to the battle that had been fought to save the house. The Kuntz family, overwhelmed by the extent of the damage and the monumental task of restoration, seriously considered tearing the house down. It seemed like too much to handle.

But just when hope seemed lost, a neighbor and local historian, Mark Barber, approached the family with a proposition. He offered to buy the house and take on the challenge of rebuilding it himself. Agnes, who did not want to be remembered as the one who tore down such an iconic part of St. Johns' history, agreed to sell the house to Mark for about $15,000.

Today, people in St. Johns still talk about the fire of 1992—it left a lasting impression on the town and its people. And thanks to Mark Barber's dedication, the historic home at 506 S Oakland St. was given a new lease on life, continuing to stand as a proud part of the community's heritage.

Next month, we'll be diving into the incredible restoration journey and exploring Mark's amazing vision that brought this iconic home back to life.