Horsehead-Marbella, Historic single-family home in Newport County, Rhode Island.
Horsehead-Marbella is a single-family home with wooden siding situated on a southward-projecting peninsula along Highland Drive and includes a carriage house. The building retains its original structure and provides views of the surrounding landscape from its elevated lot.
The home was built in 1883 for industrialist Joseph Wharton and designed by architect Charles L. Bevins. It gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 and remains in the hands of Wharton's descendants.
The residence reflects the understated building style that summer families preferred in Jamestown, in contrast to Newport's grand mansions. Its modest elegance shows how wealthy industrialists created retreats without ostentation.
The property sits on a peninsula with limited public access, so it is best viewed from Highland Drive. The site retains its private nature, so visitors should observe from the roadside and respect its status as private grounds.
The house takes its name from its peninsula location, with Horsehead referring to the geographical shape of the property. This naming reflects how residents labeled their homes after natural landmarks and features of their sites.
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