Best House (ca. 1927)

This large Norman Revival residence faces southeast to the central green. The rear lawn is similar to but smaller than the one behind the Starr House; it includes a hexagonal pergola with Tuscan columns. A detached garage adjoins the northeast end of the house.

The two-story, wood-frame, L-plan structure has a perimeter concrete foundation and a combination of hip and gable roofs with rounded eaves simulating thatch. The façade is dominated by a round stairwell turret with conical roof, adjoined by an oriel bay window to the right and a small gable and arched brick-faced entry to the left. The frontfacing gable at the left end of the façade incorporates a large three-sided bay window. The rear ell of the plan is formed by a conservatory wing with adjoining patio. A narrow service wing with jerfinhead roof extends off the northeast end of the main wing. Walls are sheathed in smooth stucco detailed with halftimbering on the upper level of the façade. Most windows are multi-light casements with leaded sash and small panes (square and diamond-shaped). Some windows at the sides and rear are wood sash.

The rear conservatory wing (possibly an early addition) has a steeply pitched hip roof, wrap-around casement windows, and a three-sided end-bay surmounted by a balcony. This wing is adjoined on its southwest side by a raised terrace with tile paving, lathed balustrae, and pergola roofing. The rear façade of the main wing contains projecting bays surmounted by a balcony with lathed balusters. Ornamental detailing on the house is limited to the faux half-timbering of the façade.

The principal interior spaces consist of the entry hall, sitting room, living room, dining room, and conservatory. The hall, with curving staircase, is adjoined on the left by the small sitting room, with gold finish and stained-glass window. The entry hall and the living and dining rooms (which extend across the back of the house) have paneled plaster walls and ceilings, crown molding, and arched openings. The conservatory room has a terrazzo floor and painted wall mural. The rear of the building contains a catering station and two (2) handicap and four (4) regular bathrooms on the first floor. The house is largely intact. The original wood roof shingles have been replaced with composition material; a wheelchair ramp with iron railing has been added to the front entry; the rear conservatory balcony has new iron railing and corrugated aluminum roofing; and the rear terrace pergola has been covered with tarp in a framework of metal tubing.