From Family Home to Historic Landmark

Perched prominently atop Sharon’s East Hill, the Wallis Mansion stands as a striking symbol of the city’s industrial prosperity at the turn of the 20th century. Constructed around 1901 by William L. Wallis and his wife, Nancy Ricketts Wallis, the home reflects both personal achievement and the broader story of Sharon’s growth during a period of remarkable economic expansion.

At the height of his career, Wallis—president of the Wallis and Carley Company, a leading contracting and lumber supply firm—commissioned this residence as a showcase of success and status. He also built the neighboring house as a wedding gift for his son, further cementing the family’s presence on East Hill. The result was one of Sharon’s most distinguished homes, commanding sweeping views over the downtown below.

William L. Wallis: Builder, Veteran, Industrial Leader

Born in Markham, Ontario, in 1842, William L. Wallis began his career early, apprenticing as a carpenter in Toronto at just 15 years old. In 1863, he relocated to the United States, first settling in Buffalo, New York, before moving to Pennsylvania.

During the Civil War, Wallis served with distinction in Company K of the 162nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as well as in the Engineer Corps in Nashville, Tennessee. After the war, he continued to build both his career and reputation. By 1867, he had settled in Sharon, joining the firm of Faas, Kanengiser & Co. Less than a decade later, in 1876, he formed the partnership of Wallis and Carley, which would become a cornerstone of the region’s building industry.

Wallis was deeply involved in Sharon’s civic and industrial development. He served as a director of several key enterprises, including the Sharon Savings & Trust Company, the Sharon Foundry Company, and the Republic Railway & Light Company. He was also instrumental in promoting the Sharon Steel Company alongside notable industrialists such as Frank Buhl and John Stevenson, Jr.

Beyond business, Wallis supported numerous community institutions, including Buhl Hospital, the F. H. Buhl Club, the Sharon Fishing Club, and Oakwood Cemetery. His influence was so significant that a major street in South Sharon—now Farrell—was named in his honor.

Architecture & Design

The Wallis Mansion is widely regarded as one of Sharon’s finest examples of the Aesthetic Movement, blending Prairie and Renaissance Revival styles into a distinctive and elegant composition. Designed by architect Herman F. Kling of Youngstown, Ohio, the home’s plans were completed on August 4, 1900.

Kling, a German immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1881, began his career as a stonemason before establishing himself as a prominent regional architect. Over time, he formed several professional partnerships, including with Adolph Kannengeiser and, later, Richard Zenk, and eventually worked alongside his son, Otto J. Kling, a graduate of the Carnegie Institute.

The mansion’s exterior features refined craftsmanship, including an expansive front porch, decorative brackets beneath the eaves, and carefully executed quoining. Originally topped with a Spanish tile roof, the home conveyed both durability and sophistication.

Inside, the residence was equally impressive. Rich woodwork, finely crafted fireplaces, and high-quality fixtures reflected the Wallis family’s wealth and taste, while embodying the artistic influences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Preservation & New Life

After the passing of William L. Wallis and his wife, Nancy, the mansion was inherited by their daughter, Laura Wallis Phillips. She and her husband made the home their residence for many years, continuing its legacy as a family estate. Following her death in 1956, the property was purchased by the F. H. Buhl Trustees to serve the Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Sunshine Society.

On November 1, 1956, both organizations officially moved into the mansion, using it as their headquarters and office space. Over time, the American Red Cross relocated, and the Sunshine Society gradually declined as other charitable organizations emerged to carry on similar work. The mansion was eventually sold and returned to use as a private residence.

In more recent years, the property was owned by the Community Counseling Center of Mercer County and operated as a group home for individuals with mental disabilities.

A defining moment in the mansion’s modern history came on November 1, 2022, when Taylor Galaska, President of the Sharon Historical Society, was approached about the possibility of purchasing the property. At the time, the Society—founded in 2013—had limited fundraising experience, no endowment, and few financial resources. Despite these challenges, a phone call later that morning with JCL Development CEO and Sharon real estate developer James Landino proved pivotal. During the conversation, Landino pledged $10,000 toward the effort and expressed strong confidence that the community could rally to make the project a reality. He would go on to play a key role in connecting the Society with additional donors.

An existing agreement set the purchase price at $200,000, and the Society was given just six months to raise the necessary funds. It was made clear that failure to do so could result in the demolition of the mansion. Soon after, Galaska and Society Treasurer Wallace “Mike” Kotyk met with the owner’s representative to tour the property. Upon entering, they were struck by the mansion’s original unpainted woodwork, remarkable stained glass, and overall structural integrity—features that reinforced the importance of preserving the building.

Just days later, on Monday, November 7, 2022, a special meeting of the Society’s Board of Directors was held at the mansion itself. The setting allowed board members to experience the space and understand its potential fully. James Landino attended and delivered an encouraging message, reinforcing his belief that the project was both achievable and worthwhile.

Through an ambitious and determined fundraising effort—supported by private donors, local foundations, and a mortgage secured through Mercer County State Bank—the Sharon Historical Society successfully reached its goal. By May 2023, the funds were in place, and the purchase was finalized.

Today, the Wallis Mansion has entered an exciting new chapter as the home of the Sharon Historical Society. Under the leadership of President Taylor Galaska, with the support of Treasurer Wallace “Mike” Kotyk, plans are underway to transform the mansion into a museum and research center. Ongoing fundraising, thoughtful planning, and careful restoration efforts continue to bring this vision to life, ensuring the preservation of this historic landmark for generations to come.

A Living Resource for Local History

The Sharon Historical Society is actively restoring the mansion to serve as a vibrant center for education and preservation. Plans for the space include administrative offices, archival storage, research areas, and exhibit space dedicated to local and regional history.

A gift shop, open on the first floor for special events at this time, offers publications and items related to the Society’s mission. Restoration efforts aim to honor the home’s original character, with attention to Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and Art Nouveau design elements that once defined its interior spaces.

Through careful stewardship, the Wallis Mansion is being transformed from a private symbol of industrial-era success into a shared community resource—ensuring that the legacy of William L. Wallis and the history of Sharon continue to be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.