The big, majestic mansion that you drive by every day on Montgomery Street has a rich history. It was built in the early 1900’s, by William Decker, the president of several large Montgomery businesses of that era, and most notably, the owner of the Montgomery Table Works.

The house, aptly named Nir Vana, had Italian bathroom tiles, stained glass windows, and a large plaster carving of fruits and flowers on the dining room ceiling. Even today, that would be a lavish home; in those days, it was, indeed, nirvana.

After William’s untimely death by the elevator gate in his own factory in May of 1924, the home remained in the Decker family until his wife, Adaline, passed away in 1940. In the time since, it has been an apartment building, a nursing home, and then again a private residence, lovingly restored by the Fox family. As one of Montgomery’s oldest standing structures, it is a truly beautiful piece of architecture, and our town’s history. It’s definitely worth a second glance the next time you’re driving by.

Montgomery area events

October 6 & 7 – Annual Warrior Run/Fort Freeland Heritage Days, Warrior Run Blvd., Turbotville.

October 15 – History of Local Dairies Presentation by Lanny Wertz, in association with the Montgomery Area Historical Society; more information coming soon.

October 16 – Montgomery School Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Montgomery Area High School, 120 Penn St., Montgomery.