Whispers of Scottish Gaelic fill the air around Druim Moir. It means Great Ridge. We stand before a centerpiece of history in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Druim Moir Historic District earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It also contributes to the broader Chestnut Hill National Historic District.
Henry H. Houston, a man of significant wealth, commissioned Druim Moir. He acquired his fortune through the Pennsylvania Railroad. He also had interests in gold mining, shipping, and petroleum products. He was the largest landowner in Philadelphia in the 1880s.
Architects G. W. & W. D. Hewitt designed Druim Moir Castle in 1885 and 1886. It was a lavish project that cost over $115,000. The thirty-room home became the largest in the neighborhood. Houston also developed the surrounding Wissahickon Heights. This neighborhood contained over 80 homes.
Notice the local Wissahickon schist in the walls. See the Eastern granite trim. Above, slate crowns the roof. Inside, a variety of woods create rich textures. Oak graces the hall and stairway. Butternut walnut adorns the parlor. Mahogany enriches the reception room. Quartered oak lines the dining room and library. Sycamore distinguishes the office. Cypress clads the servant’s section. The second floor features oak, cherry, and sycamore. White pine was used for the third-floor servants’ quarters.
Time brings changes. Houston’s son altered Druim Moir. He removed the upper stories and towers. He sought a more English manor style. A flat roof replaced the original design. This decision caused ongoing problems for later owners. The surrounding land was sold off over time. This led to the encroachment of other properties. The once impressive drive now serves a school and a condominium development.
Initially, Druim Moir was divided into three units. The manor house was not divided logically. The study and kitchen became part of a middle unit. The greenhouse became a kitchen but suffered from leaks.
Despite these changes, Druim Moir retains its historical significance. In the early 1980s, the Smith family purchased Druim Moir. To preserve the building, they divided it into three condominiums. Twenty-five other homes have now been built in the Druim Moir complex. It sits on 20 acres of land overlooking Fairmount Park.
Druim Moir stands as a testament to its rich past. It is a reminder of Henry Houston’s vision. It represents the evolution of architecture and community. It is a landmark in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill.