This old house has quite a history. In March of 1888, Alexander W. (born 1854) and Sarah E. Himes (born 1857) purchased the property from McClelland and John Hersh. Now the Himes family was rich in history and prominence. Alexander W. Himes was the son of Thomas and Susan C. Himes who moved from Lancaster County to the New Oxford area when Alexander was a mere boy. Sarah E. whose parents were William and Mitilda Reed of York County married Alexander on March 1, 1885.

   When they bought Lot #82 in 1888, they commissioned the prominent architect John A. Dempwolf of York, PA to design and build what is now the very said property of 104 Lincoln Way West, New Oxford. They immediately began construction on a house that took them until 1890 to complete. Many changes were made from the original blueprint designs during the construction of the house. Some of the notable features original to the house are the beautiful set of stained glass windows in the staircase and the chestnut woodwork, which is abundant. The library bookshelves are a grand example of this artisanship.

   Alexander had a very illustrious career in the shoe manufacturing business and later as a Director of the First National Bank of Hanover. He died at the young age of 53, on November 25, 1907, when he contracted typhoid fever and died in the very same house he had built. The house was then bequeathed to his wife.

   Sarah E. Himes was also a well-known and respected citizen of New Oxford. It was said that during her care a two-story addition was built onto the house consisting of a kitchen and servant’s quarters. Additionally, she refaced the existing fireplace in the living room, which of course gives a more massive and masculine look to the room. On April 17, 1931, Sarah died of “complications”; also in this very house.

   Their surviving daughter Ruth Reed Himes inherited the family fortune, which included this property. She was born in this house the same year the house was completed (1890). Ruth grew up and met Hubert B. Flaherty (also known as Timothy) and they married on September 27, 1923. She was an avid gardener and a member of the Garden Club of New Oxford. Some landscape design features are still evident in the wonderful gardens that show themselves during the Spring and Summer. Hubert became an officer of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of New Oxford. Ruth died on Dec 9, 1968 at the age of 78. She spent her entire childhood and adult life to the care and nurturing of this spectacular house. Hurbert passed away on January 10, 1971, just a few years after Ruth's passing. Alexander W. and Sarah E. Himes and Hubert B. and Ruth R. Flaherty are all buried in the New Oxford Cemetery.

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