Built in 1824, this house sits on one of the smallest plots within the fortress area. Over the years, it has had several owners, including housekeeper Fredrica Törnqvist, city servant Henrik J. Gröndahl, Engineer Lieutenant Feodor Mihailov, sea captain Joel Römpötti, Miss Maria Tulikoura, tailor Albert Suomi, and Armas Liljander.

The most well-known of its owners was Warvara Schantin, who acquired the property after them. Warvara became a local legend, known for standing in the early morning mist and evening chill outside the officer school with her pastry cart for two decades.

Warvara was born on November 10, 1870, in Hamina, where her family had lived for at least a couple of generations. During the era of the original Cadet School, she earned her living as a home seamstress for officer families.

After Finland gained independence, Warvara gave up her sewing and began selling donuts and pies from Aholainen’s bakery. Her early customers were junior officers from the pioneer units, later from the Railway Battalion, and eventually the Officer Candidate School (RUK) students.

Her importance as the beloved “pastry granny” became evident when, in March 1940, reserve officers who had served in the Winter War and previously trained at RUK returned to pay her a visit.

Warvara fell seriously ill later that year and passed away on March 13, 1941, in this very house. Her close friend, well-known local merchant Lyyli Aholainen, was the one who closed her eyes as she peacefully departed this life.

After her passing, the house was inherited by her son, Mikhael “Mikko” Schantin. The house register, bearing Warvara’s own signature, shows that since 1936 the house has been home to nearly 70 residents, both permanent and tenants.

In 1953, the property was purchased by Irja and Veikko Hirvonen, and it remains in the same family to this day.