Tweaking the Mystery Photo
Just an FYI – a slight correction to the information on 408 E. Cass ownership(s). Perhaps the property records are a bit confusing and misleading.
We (Bruce and Marlene Szarka) bought the 408 E. Cass house in January of 1995 from Donna Hoffer (who is Marlene’s mom). Donna Hoffer purchased the house in September, 1991 from Richard and Joann Miller who reportedly lived here for 30+ years.
Ingra Miles has never owned 408 E. Cass. This is possibly how her name is attached to our house. In May of 2009 Ingra Miles purchased the house on S. Mead Street that included the “jungle of an empty lot” with a garage and shared driveway with 408 E. Cass.
As Ingra only wanted the house on Mead St. and not the lot on Cass St., the city allowed a split of the property giving us the opportunity to buy it. Ingra had to have closing on it first as it went with the house she was buying on Mead St. and then we went right into closing for the lot. Technically, Ingra only owned the lot for a few minutes but never the 408 E Cass house.
It took the summer of 2009 for Bruce to clear the jungle and make the lot a more pleasant looking piece of lawn. We truly enjoy having the extra lot, garage and entire driveway.
Marlene Szarka