Bolivar Breeze, Dec. 6, 1906
LIKES TILE HOUSE
J.D. Olmstead of Richburg Built
First Tile House in Allegany
County and is Well
Pleased With It.
J.D. Olmstead was in town Saturday and in conversation with the writer said that after a trial of nearly two years he was well pleased with his home built of Ohio tile and roofed with
galvanized steel shingles. This is the first house of the kind ever built in Allegany county.
"A tile house," said Mr. Olmstead, "is cool in summer and warm in winter. It does not 'sweat,' as many feared a tile house would, but it is perfectly 'dry.' My house has eight rooms
and a large veranda. It is plastered throughout. We nailed strips on the walls and lathed and plastered to that, making a good job of it.
"I believe that the floors and joints could burn out and still the walls would be uninjured, so I consider I have practically a fire proof house. A tile does not have to be painted
and this is a big item of expense cut out.
"The foundation is of stone laid in cement then six tiers of plain tile for the cellar. The tile for the body of the house are rock faced. This is my first experience with galvanized
shingles but I will say that I am much pleased with them. They do not require painting and cost only one-half more than shingles of good grade. "I believe they will last three times as long as shingles.
"When you come to figure it all over I do not think a tile house will cost a cent more than a frame building, finished inside as mine is with cypress and yellow pine. It has so many
advantages over a frame house that I am convinced that tile and concrete will be the building material of the future in country towns. For myself I prefer tile blocks to concrete."
