Located at 506 South Sixth Street in Ironton, the Gray house is an example of Victorian-Italian Villa architecture. The house was originally built by James Ferguson in 1866 and is a three and a half story brick building.
In 1878, George Noah Gray bought the house for his family. George was a civil war soldier in the 53rd Ohio Infantry. He returned to Lawrence County after the war and became a manager of Hecla and Vesuvius Furnaces. Gray is also known for donating the land for the Charles S. Gray Deaconess Hospital.
Another person associated with the house is Reverend John Rankin. John Rankin was a Presbyterian Minister and an abolitionist. He became a very active in the Underground Railroad in Ohio. He was also a friend of John Campbell and he influenced Harriet Beecher Stowe. His association with the house is quite sad. Reverend Rankin died in the house on March 18, 1886.
The last member of the Gray family to reside at the Gray House was George Noah Gray’s daughter, Emma. The house was restored and became the home of the Lawrence County Museum.
