A Spite House as Large as the Builder’s Ego: The Tyler Spite House in Fredrick, Maryland

Today, I’m writing about how Dr. John Tyler, a prominent ophthalmologist and the first American-born physician to perform a cataract operation, built the Tyler Spite House in 1814. First, he had enough wealth to use it as a tool for a personal vendetta. The house was as large as Tyler’s ego. We know he owned several choice parcels of land confiscated from the estate of a notorious Tory in the courthouse square area of Frederick, MD.

Tyler had the power and autonomy to do as he wished, even against an entire community’s wishes. The city planned to extend Record Street through his property to connect with West Patrick Street for easier travel. Tyler found he could stop the road’s construction if a central structure were already underway. He was so connected that he could summon workers to dig a foundation overnight. He sat in a chair to gloat while he watched the road crews arrive and leave in defeat.

The Tyler Spite House was more about legacy and ego than profit, although I’m sure he profited as well. He wanted to leave a lasting mark of defiance. Unlike the other small spite houses I have written about, the Tyler Spite House at 110 Church Street is three stories tall, over 9,000 sq. ft., and has 17 rooms. Tyler never lived in the building he built, as he already owned a home of 5,523 sq. ft. on a 7,744 sq. ft. lot at 110 Church Street, built in 1797. We can assume he used the new building as a rental property. Since he added an annex in 1815, he had a specific purpose for it, as he had already made his point with the large three-story building. But what he intended, we don’t know.

The Tyler-Spite House has had several owners over the years. Its previous incarnations have included a bed-and-breakfast, an office building, and a private residence. It is not for sale or rent, and no business uses the address. Today, it is most likely a private home.