Historic Howard St. Home Renovated

This house, now called "Myron’s Place," is the former home of Myron Garrish and was purchased in 2015 by Bob and Kathy Phillips. The Phillipses have a special place in their hearts for Ocracoke and its history, so after purchasing and renovating the historic Howard Street home "Miss Elsie’s," they were willing to go through the process again with Myron’s Place. Renovations were completed by island contractor Jim O’Brien and his crew and local cabinet maker and concrete artist Tony Sylvester. 

On a recent Friday afternoon, Bob and Kathy hosted an open house fundraiser to benefit the Ocracoke Preservation Society and invited visitors to tour the newly-renovated and expanded home. In his welcoming remarks, Bob explained why they chose to invest in and be part of the island. Of all of the attractions that Ocracoke holds, such as the beach, lighthouse, pirate history, etc, these are not what makes Ocracoke great. “The community is what makes it special,” he said and the nodding heads all around seemed to echo that remark. 

Local amateur historian Philip Howard gave a brief overview of the history of the home and family. Myron Garrish was the great-great grandson of Henry Garrish who came to Ocracoke in 1785 and married Elizabeth Howard, the granddaughter of William Howard, the first colonial owner of Ocracoke. Elizabeth’s father deeded 50 acres of land to him. One hundred years later, Henry Garrish’s great grandson, Simon Garrish, used shipwrecked lumber and ballast bricks to build his home on Howard St. This is the house now called Miss Elsie’s and was Myron Garrish’s childhood home. 

About 1929 Myron Garrish built a house next to the family home using lumber salvaged from the four masted schooner George W. Truitt, Jr, which had wrecked off of Ocracoke the previous year. Sadly, Myron Garrish died from tuberculosis soon after the completion of the house. His widow, Nora Casey, later wed Ocracoke native Thurston Gaskill. 

Nora was Myron’s second wife. In the early part of the 20th century, Ralph and Carrie Scott, members of a prominent Georgia family, discovered Ocracoke and built a summer home here. Their granddaughter, Agnes Irvine (Irvin) Scott met and married Myron Garrish on the island. Their only child, Irvine Scott Garrish, for whom the main highway through Ocracoke Village is named, was born in 1916. Just three years later Agnes Scott Garrish died at the age of 21. Her son became a ferry captain and was the first county commissioner from Ocracoke. Irvine married Elsie Dean Ballance (for whom Miss Elsie’s is named), Ocracoke’s beloved nurse. Today, at least nine direct descendents of Myron and Agnes Scott Garrish live on the island. 

Kathy Phillips was on hand to lead tours of the home and answer questions. She explained that the house was raised up and expanded from two bedrooms to three. A powder room, laundry room, and outdoor shower were also added.

The house, which was completed in March of this year, has the appearance of an old house but with modern amenities. The original floors and doors were restored and the middle bedroom has repurposed wood on the ceiling and walls. 

The house is furnished with a combination of antiques from the Phillips family, Craigslist finds, and items purchased from island residents. There are several vintage stained glass glass windows and one of the Ocracoke lighthouse that was created especially for Myron’s Place. During the renovation process, great care was taken to preserve the authentic look of the home with vintage looking fixtures and even push button light switches. The house is small but open and filled with light from the numerous skylights. 

Ocracoke Preservation Society director Andrea Powers expressed thanks to the Phillipses for opening their home and for using the occasion as an opportunity to collect donations for the museum. 

The Myron Garrish home is located at 57 Howard St. and is available to rent. See here for more information.