This house was built in 1857 for the James Touchstone family.
The main living area is elevated to the second floor from flood waters, as was the trend with frequent threats of ice gorges before the dam was built. The street level was mainly for storage and is made from Port Deposit granite, while the upper levels are brick walled with Georgia yellow pine floors. Due to the narrow lot, the porch is on the side. The wrought iron fence in front of this house - as well as most every other iron fence in town - was made by James Touchstone or Joseph Ballance.
James Touchstone was a blacksmith and founded an iron works shop next door - where the Presbyterian church now stands. Joseph Ballance purchased the shop in 1872 after James Touchstone passed.
James Touchstone had also been Quartermaster of the 7th MD Regiment in the Civil War and served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates.
