Arkley House Sold – January 20, 2010
Kevin L. Hoover
Eye Editor
ARCATA – The stately and historic Victorian house at 980 14th St. where the Matthews and Arkley families have lived for more than six decades has been sold.
Known as The Jackson – Matthews House, it was built in 1888 as the home for early lumberman, Elisha B. Jackson. The house remained in the Jackson family until 1946, when it was purchased by Robert W. Matthews, father of Lois Matthews, who married Robin Arkley.
Last week, the house was purchased by Bryn and Jennifer Coriell.
Coriell is the daughter of Sam Pennisi, who owns the Lady Anne Bed and Breakfast at the other end of the block. It’s a reverse-replica of the Jackson-Matthews House, and the two are known as “mirror houses.”
The Jackson-Matthews House, best known to Arcatans as the Arkley house.
The sale averts a fate desired by Lois and Robin Arkley, which was to have the home demolished if it couldn’t be kept in the family. “What I heard was that he didn’t want it chopped up into apartments,” said Jennifer Coriell.
That won’t happen. With a five-year-old and a baby on the way, the Coriells plan to use the house as their family home. “We have no plans for a bed and breakfast,” she added.
She wouldn’t disclose the purchase price, but said that “I feel as though we got an amazing deal.”
Coriell said the sturdily-built house withstood the recent severe earthquake with nary a crack. “Nothing shifted,” she said.
Little furniture came with the house, but Coriell did discover some GOP political memorabilia left behind – a Nixon for President hat and a Bush/Quayle campaign sign.
Coriell said she is excited to be living in such a classic residence, and promised to maintain it to Arkley standards. “I appreciate the historical significance,” she said.
Rob Arkley assisted his out-of-state brother and sister with the sale to the Coriells. “Overall, it is an emotional sale since it has been in our family for three generations,” he said. “Thus ends 120 years of our family in Arcata.”
Arkley added that Jennifer Coriell “will be a great owner.”
