The Enduring Story of 1239 Resaca Place

Written By Emily Askin

We recently had the honor of closing on a truly spectacular home, and while the keys have already been handed over to its lucky new owners, its story is too good not to share. Looking back through the property’s history (specifically referencing the fascinating archives) it serves as a beautiful reminder of why we love Pittsburgh real estate.

Every brick at 1239 Resaca Place has a story to tell. Let's take a look at the incredible journey of one of the oldest homes in the Mexican War Streets.

From the 1850s to a Devastating Fire The two-story brick Greek Revival-style house was originally built between 1856 and 1859 by Frederick Fleiner, a German-born carpenter. Fleiner lived there with a full house: his wife, three daughters, mother-in-law, three boarders, and a servant. In 1862, he sold the home to another carpenter, Peter Metz.

For over a century, the home stood proudly, but tragedy struck in 1982 when a devastating fire tore through the property. The blaze destroyed nearly the entire interior and all the brick chimneys, sparing only the rear chimney and fireplaces. Following the fire, local architect and neighbor Carl Detwiler spearheaded a major renovation, giving the home a second chance at life.

A Canvas for Creativity In 1990, after the property had sat empty for over two years, Derwin and Darlene Durrwachter Rushing purchased it and began their own loving renovations. They opened up the third floor, added a custom-designed steel banister, and built a studio in the garage for Darlene’s work as an artist.

Their crown jewel, however, was a major kitchen renovation that went on to win the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's 2009-10 Renovation Inspiration Contest for small projects. The Rushings perfectly blended historic charm with artistic flair by including:

  • A vibrant chili-red brick fireplace.

  • Custom maple cabinetry to display art glass and pottery.

  • Absolute Black granite countertops that provided a stark, beautiful contrast.

  • A funky, custom tile backsplash inspired by the "Truffula Trees" from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.

Ready for the Next Chapter By the time this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1,880-square-foot gem changed hands recently, it was the perfect marriage of historical soul and modern peace of mind. The previous sellers invested over $100,000 between 2020 and 2024 to ensure the home's legacy continued without historic maintenance stress.

1239 Resaca Place is more than just a house; it is a survivor, a canvas, and a piece of Pittsburgh history. We are so thrilled for the new owners who get to write the next chapter in this incredible home's story!

Click here to view the flip-book version of the archives.

Emily Askin

Emily Askin is a real estate agent with Compass in Pittsburgh's East End. She works with buyers and sellers across Highland Park, Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, Regent Square, Shadyside, and Friendship, and she is known for pricing old houses right and being honest about what a home is actually worth.

Before real estate, she spent years renovating and investing in property, which is why she reads a house the way a serious buyer does - the roof, the sewer line, the original woodwork worth saving, the flip-grade kitchen that will cost you later. She treats every sale as both a financial decision and a life decision, and she works it that way from pricing through closing.

She works with people relocating to Pittsburgh and with sellers trading up to their next house. She is also the agent design-minded buyers call when they want someone who can tell good bones from a fresh coat of paint.

https://www.emilyaskin.com
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