Latest Structures Page 151

Captain William Webb Wakeman House, Southport Connecticut

Captain William Webb Wakeman House, Southport Connecticut

William Webb Wakeman was born in Southport on June 19, 1799, the son of Jesup Wakeman, an eminent citizen of the community. In addition to owning a general store in Southport, Jesup also operated a line of boats out of Mill River Harbor, he served as one of the first directors of the Bridgeport Bank in 1807 (until 1822), he was actively involved in the Turnpike Company which laid the first major through-way between New York City and New Haven, and he was a principle proprietor of a large tract of Firelands in Ohio's Western Reserve, a part of which is now the village of Wakeman, Ohio. Upon his death in May 1884, Jesup left an estate of $120,000. As a

Trinity Parish (Protestant Episcopal) Chapel, Southport Connecticut

Trinity Parish (Protestant Episcopal) Chapel, Southport Connecticut

The Chapel was originally constructed as a free-standing structure. Twentieth century additions have made it a part of the extended church complex. Designed on a simple rectangular nave type plan with a frontal porch and decorative wooden bell cote, the small chapel's board-and-batten siding and modest though strong Gothic details create a composition which is both expressive of the rural church architecture popular throughout the country at mid-century and purely unique to this protected coastal village. The otherwise simple plan is given over to details which inherently possess a sense of upward movement and contribute to the over-all vertical thrust of the building. Most important to the success of the ascending composition is the chapels finely scaled rectangular shape topped by

Trinity Church, Southport Connecticut

Trinity Church, Southport Connecticut

Trinity Church of Southport was designed by Bridgeport and Cincinnati architect Albert C. Nash and erected during the years 1854-56. Because of the building's near total destruction by wind during a tornado on January 1, 1862, the church was completely rebuilt as originally planned, with a few structural alterations. Trinity is an excellent work of early Gothic Revival church architecture in wood, patterned after Ithiel Town's model Trinity Church (1814-17) in New Haven and Benjamin Latrobe's Christ Church (1808) in Washington, D.C. This building was the fifth church erected by the Episcopal Society of Fairfield; the first was built in Mill Plain in 17^5 when the Congregational Faith and Order was still the established church of Connecticut (remaining so until the

Abner Pratt House (Honolulu House), Marshall Michigan

Abner Pratt House (Honolulu House), Marshall Michigan

This mid-nineteenth century mansion is believed locally to be a replica of the dwelling which Abner Pratt occupied when Consol to the Sandwich Islands in 1857. In 1883, M. W. Wagner repaired and altered the house. Bay windows were added to the north and south facades. On the interior, fresco murals were done, and molded plaster centerpieces were added to the ceiling. In 1901, George Bullard removed the original extensions at the rear of the house. The building measures 37'-6 by 77'6; 3 bays by 9 bays; faces east. Stone faced with boards, two-and-a-half stories, rectangular (originally having wings). Across the east front of the house is a two-story, nine-bay porch. The ground story consists of stone piers 1'-6 by 2'-6

Michigan Central Railroad Station (New York Central), Battle Creek Michigan

Michigan Central Railroad Station (New York Central), Battle Creek Michigan

Presidents William McKinley and William Howard Taft spoke here. The first passenger train that stopped at this station was on June 27, 1888. It carried members of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Michigan Central operated the station from 1888-1930. In February, 1930 the New York Central Railroad took over. The building is One and one half stories with tower; elongated rectangle with projections. It is constructed with brick and stone. Significant features include hip roof, wide bracketed overhangs, arched windows and doorways, porch, high brick tower, one hipped dormer on south side.

Sidney S. Allcott House, Marshall Michigan

Sidney S. Allcott House, Marshall Michigan

A simple mid-19^th century cottage with interesting architectural details, now somewhat altered. Under the ownership of Judge George Ingersoll, the house was reputed to have been involved in the underground highway. The house is still equipped with the original door bell of the pull type. The iron bell is located at the farther end of the front hall and operates with a steel wire, running up to and along the ceiling. The building measures 30' x 34', exclusive of front porch; rear wing about 25' x 18'. The front faces south. The main portion is 3 bays by 3 bays. The first floor has a central hall extending from the entrance to the rear wall, widening after a vestibule to accommodate

Abner Baker House, Marshall Michigan

Abner Baker House, Marshall Michigan

An attractive representative mid-19^th century Gothic Cottage, retaining many original features and with a carriage house. The building measures 38'-1 x 40'-3; the front faces south. An old drawing (1858 map) shows a shallow porch filling in the east corner of the south front, a three-bay west porch with deck, and a four-bay porch connecting with the carriage house (at the northwest). Only the former remains, in an enlarged form. It is deeper and wider than originally, but appears to have the same kind of detailing. It shelters the central entrance now, in addition to filling the corner. The roof is flat. Two octagonal columns before the entrance, and one at the southwest corner, have moulded bases and capitals; halt-columns respond

Chauncey Brewer House (Oak Hill), Marshall Michigan

Chauncey Brewer House (Oak Hill), Marshall Michigan

This Mansion was Built by One of the Towns Most Well-Known Early Residents

The original owner was Chauncey M. Brewer, an early settler and prominent merchant in Marshall. The house remained in the possession of the descendants of C. M. Brewer, who moved to Marshall in 1836 from Oneonta, Otsego County, New York. Chauncey Marble Brewer, one of the most well-known of Marshall's early residents, was born in Oneonta, New York in 1814. He was employed in a country store as a young man before he and a boyhood friend, Charles T. Gorham, decided to travel westward to seek their fortunes. After working in Clinton, Michigan during the winter of 1835-6, the two moved to Marshall, which had been founded only a few years before, and opened a general store. Brewer and Gorham prospered

Capitol Hill School (Fourth Ward School), Marshall Michigan

Capitol Hill School (Fourth Ward School), Marshall Michigan

A mid-19^th century, two room schoolhouse of distinctly vernacular Gothic Revival character. Early in the twentieth century, a small addition was added to the east side to accommodate indoor plumbing. The original ornate cupola was removed curing the roofing job and never replaced. Also removed were the board sidewalk and the picket fence which enclosed the grounds. At some relatively modern time, an addition was made, extending the mass of the eastern vestibule. This wing is about two feet lower than the vestibule and is gable roofed; the verge boards appear to have been taken off the original gable and moved to the new one. This addition, constructed with a concrete foundation and brick walls, houses toilets. The main portion is

Southport Savings Bank, Southport Connecticut

Southport Savings Bank, Southport Connecticut

The Southport Savings Bank obtained a charter from the Connecticut General Assembly in May 1854, and was organized on September 25 of that year. Original incorporators included Paschal Sheffield, Austin Perry, Wakeman B. Meeker, Charles Perry, Prancis D. Perry, E.D. Sherwood, John Meeker, Frederick Marquand, and Andrew Bulkley. The board of managers voted to erect a new building, located at the foot of Main Street so as to be accessible to shipowners, shop keepers, the farmer patronage, and commercial traders. Work on the new bank at 226 Main Street began in 1863, and the building was occupied on June 24, 1865. The bank merged with Bridgeport People's Savings Bank on July 1, 1955, becoming the Southport Branch of the People's Savings

Orchestra Hall (Paradise Theatre), Detroit Michigan

Orchestra Hall (Paradise Theatre), Detroit Michigan

The building's first owner was the Orchestra Hall Corporation. The Detroit Trust Company acted as trustee for that corporation from 1919 to 1941, when the building was seized by the city for non-payment of taxes. In 1963 the hall was purchased by the Nederlander Theatre Corporation from Max Osnos, a local businessman who had sought to sell it for over a year. In 1970 the building was acquired by Gino's, a nationwide fast-service restaurant chain, which planned to demolish it. An immediate public outcry and the work of several concerned citizens led to organizing the Save Orchestra Hall Committee, which raised funds to purchase the building and created a public interest in saving Orchestra Hall An orchestra was first organized in

Southport Congregational Church, Southport Connecticut

Southport Congregational Church, Southport Connecticut

In 1871, parish members recognized the need for a new church. Raising the necessary funds and acquiring the building materials took three years. The Southport Chronicle reported on July 12, 1871, The members of the Southport Congregational Society held a special meeting, on the 4^th of July and reconsidered the action taken at a previous meeting with a view to remodel the old church and erect a new lecture-room. They determined to give up the plan of remodelling, and voted unanimously to build a new church at a cost of $30,000. We believe that the whole amount, with the exception of a small sum, has already been pledged, and we hear that the work of building will proceed as soon as

Simon C. Sherwood House, Southport Connecticut

Simon C. Sherwood House, Southport Connecticut

Simon C. Sherwood was born in Southport on June 10, 1840, the son of Edwin Sherwood. Edwin Sherwood owned two schooners, and was principally involved in the trade between New York and Savannah. After his death in November 1906, Sherwood's widow and son S. Wakeman, a bookkeeper at the Southport Savings Bank, lived in the house until 1916. The irregular L-shaped structure is two-and-a-half stories with partially exposed basement and measures 35' (northeast front facade) x 65' deep. First Floor Plan: Corner hall plan. A parlor opens at the right through a wide doorway; a side parlor opens at the right of the front corner parlor and extends the full length of this section. The dining room abutts the rear of

The Grand Riviera Theatre, Detroit Michigan

The Grand Riviera Theatre, Detroit Michigan

The Grand Riviera was opened on Monday evening, August 24, 1925, with the following dedication: To the people of Detroit and to their children and to their children's children; that through the years it may lighten the cares of life's vissicitudes with wholesome laughter; that they may drink the innocent inspirations of music; that they may wrap themselves in the soft cloak of the arts and revel in decent recreation against the humdrum routine of mundane existence; that they may find surcease from the responsibilities and the wearing grind of modern metropolitan life - to them and for this does the Grand Riviera Theatre Management dedicate this beautiful temple of play. The lavishness with which this playhouse has been furnished has

Oliver T. Sherwood House, Southport Connecticut

Oliver T. Sherwood House, Southport Connecticut

The Oliver T. Sherwood house was designed by Westchester architect William V. Kent and erected in 1892. In keeping with contemporary stylistic trends, it is designed in the American Shingle style, characterized by uniform shingled surfaces, splaying roof lines with broken and intersecting gables, projecting bays and corner turrets, and usually a front veranda, warmly shadowed by wide, protective eaves. In addition, a token classical Palladian window often appears; in this case, the ionic detailed tripartite window is at the western end of the front facade's main level. The over-all impression of this residence is that it is less formal and affectations by comparison to earlier nineteenth century village residences, and of more modest, low-lying dimensions. Sherwood's long career as a

Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy House, Southport Connecticut

Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy House, Southport Connecticut

Second Empire Home was Called the Finest in the Village when it was Completed

The Southport Chronicle of May 1868 reported that Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy is about to erect a large and elegant dwelling near the site of the present one. On May 15^th, 1869 the Chronicle announced that Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy's new dwelling will soon be completed, and will be one of the finest, if not the, finest, residence in the village. Noting the residence's distinctive beauty, the Chronicle recorded on August 1^st, 1869 the completion of Mrs. Pomeroy's new home. The elegant residence of Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy, now finished and occupied by her, is an ornament to the street … and a great credit to the builders, Messrs. Jelliff & Northrop … No need to go abroad for our builders - we have

Oliver H. Perry House, Southport Connecticut

Oliver H. Perry House, Southport Connecticut

Oliver acquired the land from his brother Gurdon in 1838. In 1838-41 he was enrolled at Yale Law School in New Haven. Since he was admitted to the bar in 1841, returning to Southport, and married in 1846, Oliver probably built his residence during the five-year interim. Oliver H. Perry was born in Southport on February 21, 1815, the son of Walter Perry. He was educated at the Fairfield Academy and went on to study at Yale College in 1830 at the age of fifteen. Due to ill-health, Oliver did not return the following year. In 1838, however, he did return to study at Yale Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. Though he was a certified attorney,

Lovett-Barnard House, East Grand Rapids Michigan

Lovett-Barnard House, East Grand Rapids Michigan

Demolished August, 1963 to make way for a baseball field, despite vigorous protest by local residents and the A.I.A. Committee. Designed and built by George S. Lovett in 1851, sold to Dr. Stephen Barnard in 1863. At some point it was purchased by the West Michigan Catholic Diocese (dates unknown), and sold to the East Grand Rapids School Board in 1922. Owned by the school until its demolition in 1963. The house was altered by the School Board to adapt for use as a kindergarten in ca. 1923. Closet partitions were removed, a toilet room was installed in the northwest corner on the second floor, and a fire-escape was added at the west window on the second floor. Heating and lighting

Frederick Hall House (Hall-Fowler Library), Ionia Michigan

Frederick Hall House (Hall-Fowler Library), Ionia Michigan

Frederick Hall was a local banker and important public official. For more than forty years he was a leading figure in Ionia. He was born in Vermont in 1816 and first came to Michigan in 1836, and settled in Ionia in 1841. The buying and selling of pine lands was his main business but the public positions he held were numerous. He was elected to the State legislature in 1849, a Democratic candidate for Congress, a Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor and became the first mayor of Ionia in 1873. Hall was a director of the Ionia and Lansing Railroad and President of the First National Bank of Ionia from its organization. He had earlier served as receiver of public money

Henry Perry House, Southport Connecticut

Henry Perry House, Southport Connecticut

The Henry Perry house was erected in 1832, and is one of the two Greek Revival style structures in Southport which was designed with a five-columned front portico. The other, the Francis D. Perry House, 678 Pequot Avenue, was his brother's and was also erected in 1832. It is quite possible that they were designed or built by the same person. Members of the Perry family were original land-owners of Southport in the 1600s, and the family name has remained prominent through the village's three-hundred year history. Henry Perry's will of February 1847, recorded in Fairfield Probate Record, Volume I, states that the homestead lot was purchased 19 November 1831 by Henry Perry from Joshua Jennings for $550. The house was

Book Title Abandoned Palaces (Abandoned Places)

Abandoned Palaces (Abandoned Places)

Book Title Abandoned Train Stations (Abandoned Places)

Abandoned Train Stations (Abandoned Places)

Book Title Abandoned: Hauntingly Beautiful Deserted Theme Parks

Abandoned: Hauntingly Beautiful Deserted Theme Parks

Book Title Lost Places: Images of Bygone America

Lost Places: Images of Bygone America

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