The house that I built
As told by Jack the Mule
My name is Jack, and for many years I worked beside a coal miner named Jake Heatherington here in Bellaire, Ohio.
Back in those days, coal mining was hard work. Day after day, I hauled heavy coal cars through the mines while Jake worked alongside me. We faced long hours, dusty tunnels, and difficult conditions, but we made a good team. Jake never treated me like I was just a mule. He always said we were partners.
As the years passed, Jake’s coal business grew and prospered. Before long, he was able to build a grand sixteen-room Victorian mansion on South Belmont Street overlooking the Ohio River. People admired the beautiful house and talked about how successful Jake had become.
But whenever someone congratulated him, Jake would smile and say something like, “I didn’t do it alone. Jack helped build this.”
Now, I never knew much about money or business, but I knew what hard work was. And Jake truly believed that every load of coal I pulled helped make that house possible. Before long, people around Bellaire started calling the mansion “The House That Jack Built.”
One of my favorite memories came when the house was finally finished. According to a story that’s been passed down through the years, Jake wouldn’t let any guests enter before me. Instead, he took me on a tour of every room so I could see what our hard work had created. Imagine that! A mule being treated like the guest of honor in one of the finest homes in town.
More than 150 years have passed since then, but I’m proud that people still remember our story. The Bellaire Public Library has helped keep it alive through local history exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs. Thanks to their efforts, new generations can learn about Jake, the mansion, and a hardworking mule who was lucky enough to have a friend who appreciated him.
Today, my story represents something bigger than a house. It’s about loyalty, teamwork, and recognizing the people, and animals, who help us succeed. That’s why I’m honored to inspire Jack the Book Burro, the Bellaire Public Library’s beloved mascot. Through books, learning, and community history, he carries on the spirit of a mule who simply did his job and was fortunate enough to be remembered for it.
And whenever someone asks about the famous mansion overlooking the Ohio River, I like to think Jake’s old answer still echoes through Bellaire:
More than 150 years have passed since then, but I’m proud that people still remember our story. The Bellaire Public Library has helped keep it alive through local history exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs. Thanks to their efforts, new generations can learn about Jake, the mansion, and a hardworking mule who was lucky enough to have a friend who appreciated him.
Today, my story represents something bigger than a house. It’s about loyalty, teamwork, and recognizing the people, and animals, who help us succeed. That’s why I’m honored to inspire Jack the Book Burro, the Bellaire Public Library’s beloved mascot. Through books, learning, and community history, he carries on the spirit of a mule who simply did his job and was fortunate enough to be remembered for it.
And whenever someone asks about the famous mansion overlooking the Ohio River, I like to think Jake’s old answer still echoes through Bellaire:
"We built it together."
The Heatherington Mansion
In Bellaire, Ohio, “The House That Jack Built” refers to the famous Heatherington Mansion, a Victorian mansion built by coal mine owner Jacob (Jake) Heatherington in 1871. The name comes from Jake’s belief that his success was made possible by his trusted mule, Jack, who worked alongside him in the coal mines. Jake often credited Jack as his partner in building his fortune.
The Story
Jacob Heatherington started as a coal miner in Bellaire and worked with a mule named Jack to haul coal cars from the mines. As his business prospered, he built an impressive sixteen-room mansion on South Belmont Street overlooking the Ohio River. Because Heatherington always insisted that Jack deserved credit for his success, local residents nicknamed the mansion “The House That Jack Built.”
One of the most enduring local stories says that before any guests were allowed into the newly completed mansion, Heatherington led Jack on a tour of the home so the mule could see what his hard work had helped create.
Connection to Bellaire Public Library
The Bellaire Public Library has preserved the story through exhibits, local history collections, and educational programs. Artifacts and furnishings from the Heatherington family and mansion have been displayed by the library, helping keep the legacy of Jake and Jack alive for new generations.
Why It Matters Today
The story has become a symbol of Bellaire’s heritage, celebrating hard work, loyalty, and community history. It is also the inspiration behind Jack the Book Burro, the library’s beloved mascot, which continues to introduce children and families to reading and local history. This connection helps preserve the spirit of the original Jack for future generations.