History & Hauntings
in Northern Appalachia and the Western Reserve
Research and writing by Author/Historian Ashley Armstrong
Stories
Alanson McCullour was an early Mecca settler and farmer.
Alanson McCullour
Photo from "Mecca" by Thomas Kachur, page 108
Born in 1814 Canada, he came to Ohio from New York State with his mother. He settled in Mecca in the early 1830s.
Alanson and Eunice's marriage record
familysearch.org
On Dec. 6, 1838, he married Eunice P. Chaffee, the daughter of Jose and Theodocia (Fletcher) Chaffee. They had at least three children: Priscilla Rebecca (b. 1839), Henrietta (b. 1843), and Harvey (b. 1849). Eunice died in 1878 at the age of 58 from dropsy, and Alanson died July 19, 1901 in Mecca. They are buried in East Mecca Cemetery.
Alanson and Eunice's gravestone at East Mecca Cemetery
by Ashley Armstrong
He made his home on Phillips Rice Rd., south of Rt 88. The 1982 Mecca Township inventory dates the house to the 1830s or 40s. It describes the home as an “Upright and wing design with entablature, frieze windows and corner pilasters. One story wing has porch with anta-pier columns and flush board siding under porch roof. Addition was added to front of upright portion probably in late 19th or early 20th century. Small white board and batten barn in back.”
An early photo of Alanson's home from "Mecca", page 107, and a 2025 photo showing the slight changes to the structure
Thomas Kachur’s Mecca book, page 107, says the house was built around 1855 and later served as the home of Alanson's son Harvey and his wife Laura. Their son John inherited it next, followed by his daughter Mildred, who married Lester Ballard.
The 1874 map of Mecca overlaying a present-day aerial view
The house still stands today. Alanson also owned the property across the street where CaRayna farms is located.