Island History -
Located at the southern end of a former quarry access road, these houses were once quarry barracks. The ravine used by the Huntington Quarry Railroad is just to the west and the Eratus Huntington House borders the property to the east.

Cottage #1 is one of the larger houses built by the Norman Kelley and Company for its quarry workers along this land. in 1873.  The history of one of its later occupants, Joseph Maiani, is typical of that of many other quarry workers. He was recruited by a relative who already worked on the island to come here from San Moreno, Italy, in 1928, with the promise of a good job in the quarries. He raised a family here sending his children to St. Michael's Catholic School. The family raised a small brood of chickens for their eggs and meat, and raised most of their own produce in a small plot near the cottage. Other families used a community plot near what is now the post office. They patronized "Tommy's" store for olive oil, penny candies, and sundries, and the Steam Boat Dock for staples such as flour, sugar, feed, and fuel. Except for staples and occasionally meats, they were practically self sufficient and looked to their own ethnic enclave for entertainment and social contact.

Cottage #2 was occupied by an Italian family by the name of Fittilini in 1920. Mr. Fittilini worked as a laborer for the KIL&T Co., but in addition made and mended boots and shoes in a small work shop in this home. One source suggests that his primary clientele was drawn from the families of other workers in the nearby Italian enclave. This was another house built in 1873 by the Norman Kelley and Company Quarry for its workers.

Cottage #3, another Norman Kelleys and Company house built in 1873, is perhaps best known for the Milli family that lived here from 1908 to 1912. They were of Hungarian origin and established a more permanent life on the island than many other quarry workers. With a growing family to accommodate ( nine girls and 1 boy) they later moved to the larger quarry house.

Cottage #4 is identical to cottages #2 and #3. Sometimes these buildings were little more than bunk houses were single workers lived, as many as six to eight in one house.

Cottage #5, a simply constructed house was built in 1873 by the Norman Kelley and Company quarry for its workers after Mr. Kelley had purchased the William S. Webb quarries. Its larger size than the others on the lane suggests that it was intended to house those workers with larger families. Generally the house rented for $5.00 per month. Many different families rented here in its long period of use. Their origin followed the different waves of ethnic immigrants that came to the island seeking the many available jobs during the period of optimum growth of the quarry industry here; Irish in 1880, Hungarian/Slavic in 1900, and Italians in 1910. The only known family reported as living here is that of Mauser in 1920.

Source: "The National Register Inventory for Kelley Island" by Kevin and Betty Pape