Blue Victorian Cottage is located on Palestine Street near the abandoned “Little J” railroad line. The exterior of the home is a perfect example of Victorian architecture as used on a miniature scale in small town America.

The craze for a new style of architecture came about around 1870 and provided a new style of homes that average people could afford. Victorian era homes, 1870-1917, are characterized by front porches that display spindle work or jigsaw cut trim, brackets under the eaves, and often a variety of colors used on the exterior.

Since the advent of Victorian architecture corresponded with the popularity of the railroad system in America, many of the Victorian homes, such as the Blue Victorian Cottage, were located along the railroad tracks. In “Times Gone By”, former residents of the Blue Victorian Cottage could hear the whistle of the train as it rounded the bend and prepared for its stop at the Raymond Depot. The “Little J” was discontinued during the mid 20th Century but memories of those golden times when the conductor barked out “All Aboard” still remain.

The love of old things attracted Rebecca Willhite to purchase the Blue Victorian Cottage. A white picket fence, ferns, and gardens surround the lovely cottage. The interior highlights her love of paintings, especially those of Mark Millet, water color artist who has depicted much of Raymond’s past history through his art. The woodwork in the Blue Victorian cottage points to the era’s interest in detail.