Built by Samuel Bowman in 1875, as a private residence, the Marietta Community House remained in his family until 1909. It was then purchased by the Daughter of Dr. H. Dr. Alexander's daughter was married to Dr. Gilliland, who worked with her father in a laboratory which had become internationally famous for the production of vaccines. Among the vaccines they produced were Smallpox and the Pasteur
Rabies Vaccine. Due to the strict regimen that had to be followed for the administration of the vaccine for rabies, the house was turned into a sanitarium which was called "The Pines". Patients were housed in the building while they underwent the series of 21 painful shots that had to be precisely administered over a three week period. Dr. Alexander's company eventually became Gilliland Laboratories which eventually became a part of Wyeth Laboratories, Inc. In 1920, the building was purchased by Mr. Henry Hiestand for the newly formed "Marietta Community House Corporation". This was done for the "promotion of the spiritual, intellectual, social and physical welfare of men, women and children of Marietta". The Marietta Community House was dedicated to the memory of their son, Lt. Benjamin Hiestand who was killed on June 10, 1918, at the age of 19 while instructing a cadet in flying. The Community House has been used as a meeting place for organizations such as the Girl and Boy Scouts, Senior Citizens, Historical Groups and even as a soup kitchen and coal distribution center during the dark days of the Great Depression. Funds were solicited from the public and more than $30,000.00 was raised to construct a gymnasium at the rear of the property. Through the years since its construction, the gym has been used by weight lifters, basketball teams, church groups, rock bands and even as a community roller-skating-rink. The buildings are still available for use by the public today. They are often rented to church and community groups and for private functions such as weddings, receptions luncheons, parties and private meetings. Email [email protected] for more information.
