Fate of Stirling house undetermined
The historic pre-Civil War Stirling Farmhouse, known for the former SkyWay Drive-in movie theater that used to sit on it’s land, is officially on the market.
A third generation Stirling family member, Jan Stirling, is selling the home.
Amanda Shingleton, sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, said “even though the house is in fantastic condition, there is a serious possibility of it being torn down by a new owner.”
She said Stirling has already been approached with a deal by a chain gas station, even though that deal did not go through.
“It’s a corner lot now zoned commercial and on a road that sees an estimated 8 million vehicles a year,” Shingleton said.
Shingleton said she has a passion for architecture and preserving historical properties. She said she majored in architectural design in college, with plans to focus in historical preservation.
“As a conscientious agent of the local market and simply a general admirer of old houses, I would be extremely saddened to see this house torn down to make way for another chain gas station or convenience store,” she said.
She said she was worried the Stirling house may face the same fate as the Red Rock Falls restaurant in Slippery Rock. The restaurant was also a historic property that was torn down and became the site of a Dollar General.
“I have been given this rare opportunity to facilitate the transfer of ownership for this very historic house and I will try my very best to find a new owner to care for it,” Shingleton said. “But if someone buys it and tears it down, at least I will have given it my best effort.”
According to Bill May, a Butler-based historian, the list of property owners dates back to 1797 and starts with the McKee family.
James McKee, a county sheriff who later served in the War of 1812, acquired the land in 1797. May said the house was likely built by his grandson Robert McKee in 1860, making it 20 years older than the Butler County Courthouse.
May noted many members of the Mckee family held prominent positions in Butler’s public affairs, such as justice of the peace, U.S. Army surgeon, lieutenant colonel and soldiers in various wars.
“The 57 acre Stirling Farm was a notable landmark in Butler County for decades and many people reading this might have memories of taking horseback riding lessons at the farm,” Shingleton said. “And more notably, remembered for the SkyWay Auto Drive-In Movie Theater from 1948-1989.”
While there have been a few updates to the house over the years, such as electrical work, Shingleton said most of the interior has remained the same.
May said, “The house appears to be Gothic Revival architecture.”
The style was popular in America from the 1830s to 1870s, although at some point the details were stripped away and covered with aluminum siding, May added.
