Bleak House (Fogo)
Bleak House (Fogo)![[Bleak House: Image]](040.jpg)
Possibly the oldest house on Fogo and certainly one of the most important in a historical sense is Bleak House, the principal Earle residence. Accurate dating of the house has not been possible but it is presumed that the structurewasbuilt after 1816 when John Slade took overthe busyness from the Garlands. About midcentury the house and business were acquired by John Owens, previously Slade's bookkeeper but who, because of an advantageous marriage, became a wealthy man. Henry J. Earle, who worked with Owen, purchased house and business in 1897. The house was occupied by various members of the Earle family until 1967 when the business was closed. The nature of the additions and the clapboard suggests that the original house was probably a large centre-hall plan dwelling with saltbox roof. It is unclear just when the additions were made but, as an old photograph suggests, it was probably in Owen's time. The Earles removed a Victorian porch and a galley with balustrade in Chinese fashion. Other additions were made at the rear of the house at the beginning of the Twentieth Century.