Latest Structures Page 152

Francis D. Perry House (Trinity Church Rectory), Southport Connecticut

Francis D. Perry House (Trinity Church Rectory), Southport Connecticut

Francis D. Perry was born in Southport on October 2, 1809. He was the son of Miah Perry and grandson of Peter Perry, one of the village's early large land-owners. In addition to inheriting some of his father's wealth, Perry was president of Southport National Bank, and Secretary-Treasurer and Trustee of Southport Savings Bank. He was a devoted member of Trinity Church throughout his life. Upon Mrs. Perry's death in 1893, the Perrys gave their residence to the church to be used as the parish rectory. Over-all dimensions: Two stories with attic and partially exposed basement. The structure is rectangular with a rear ell addition, and measures 32'-4 (four-bay front) x 48'-3. The front stairhall/foyer opens into the front and rear

Reo Motor Car Company Plant, Lansing Michigan

Reo Motor Car Company Plant, Lansing Michigan

This was Once One of the Top Four Auto Companies in the US

The Reo Motor Car Company Plant, situated in an industrial area near downtown Lansing, consists of the only known extant and relatively little altered structures associated with Ransom E. Olds' successful ventures into automobile manufacturing. The most significant Olds-related remains here are the 1905 Office Building; a 1905 factory; the 1908 Engineering Building; a 1917 employee Clubhouse; and four other factory buildings constructed between 1905 and 1914. All are brick, sit on concrete foundations, have either flat or monitored roofs, and exhibit many original exterior architectural features. The only other known extant Olds structure is a much altered section of the Olds Gasoline Engine Works plant on River Street in Lansing. The Ransom Olds Mansion, once located not far from the

Old State House, Hartford Connecticut

Old State House, Hartford Connecticut

The Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut was decided on by the legislature in 1792, and occupied in 1796, It was designed by the noted architect, Charles Bulfinch. The only positive proof that Bulfinch was the architect is contained in a letter dated September 30, 1792, from John Trumbull, the artist, to Oliver Wolcott, who was then comptroller of the United States Treasury. The original allotment of 1500 pounds by the state proved insufficient, and permission to raise money by lottery came to nothing. Jeremiah Halsey, of Norwich, Connecticut,and Andrew Ward, of Guilford, made a contract to build the State Rouse secured by a tract of land known as the Gore Lands, but the title of the state to these lands

Pequot Library, Southport Connecticut

Pequot Library, Southport Connecticut

The library was built by Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Brinckerhoff Monroe as a memorial to the Frederick Marquands, Mrs. (Virginia Marquand) Monroe's aunt and uncle, and parents by adoption. The building was erected behind the Monroe's house, completely hidden from public view, and not opened until 1894. The secrecy surrounding the library's construction and the confusion of the townspeople is evidenced by the following newspaper accounts in the Fairfield Advertiser.

March 29, 1887 Workmen are busy on the grounds of Mr. E.B. Monroe. They are engaged by the Fling Building Company, who have the contract to remove the barn to the back end of the lot, and erect a certain building or buildings. One rumor says that this is to
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Bush-Holley House, Cos Cob Connecticut

Bush-Holley House, Cos Cob Connecticut

The house was used as a military recruiting center during the French and Indian War. During the Revolutionary War, the house was used as headquarters for Gen. Israel Putnam and it was from this house that he took Miss Sally Bush to the dance the night before his famous ride. The house was also used for two manufacturing operations, salt-works and flour milling, because of its proximity to the water. These operations were closely guarded from the British. (The flour mill burned down in 1889). During the building of the New Haven roadbed the engineers boarded in the house. When George Jackson Smith owned the house he was a town clerk. During the debate over the plans for the new Town

Wakeman B. Meeker House, Southport Connecticut

Wakeman B. Meeker House, Southport Connecticut

Wakeman B. Meeker, Sr. was a prosperous shipping merchant in Southport during the nineteenth century. In 1832 he acquired the old Bulkley residence, 824 Harbor Road, the plot of land upon which the Meeker house now stands and which is directly north of the Bulkley house, and property fronting the harbor. The Meeker family lived in the colonial frame Bulkley house, and together with Simon Sherwood, Wakeman Meeker built a wharf and three warehouses across from his residence. The mercantile shipping firm of Meeker & Sherwood was organized in the 1830s. They owned three schooners and seven sloops, used for freight and passenger service. The firm dissolved at mid-century and was reorganized as W.B. Meeker & Son's. Wakeman B, Meeker, Sr.

Ponemah Mills, Taftville Connecticut

Ponemah Mills, Taftville Connecticut

This was one of the Largest Cotton Mills in the US, now Apartments

Ponemah Mills, in operation by 1871 was one of of the largest textile mills in the United States for many years. The large original buildings were started in April 1866 and began operation November 16^th, 1871. Additional mills were built in 1884 and 1902, and the large weave shed in 1910. The mill closed in 1972 and sat vacant for many years. In 2017, a portion of the building was converted into 116 loft apartments, known as The Lofts at Ponemah Mills. In 2019 phase two of the conversion added an additional 121 apartments, bringing the total to 237 apartments. A third phase, which would bring the total to 314 apartments, has not begun. The following is extracted from John D.

Leffingwell Inn, Norwich Connecticut

Leffingwell Inn, Norwich Connecticut

This Home was Built in 1675 and Served as an Inn, it is now a Museum

The Leffingwell Inn, a large, carefully restored frame building, was the home of Colonel Christopher Leffingwell. The Inn, started about 1675 and, with successive additions, completed in its present form about a century later, preserves many characteristic and interesting features. The Inn now operates as a museum. The land on which the Leffingwell Inn originally stood was part of the tract William Backus, a founder of Norwich, received when the Town was settled in 1659. The property was inherited by his son, Stephen Backus, who started the present structure about 1675. This was the first of three principal stages of construction and is today incorporated into the southeast corner of the building. The documented history of the building begins with the

Connecticut Bank, Mill River Branch, Southport Connecticut

Connecticut Bank, Mill River Branch, Southport Connecticut

The January 1832 charter of the Connecticut Bank of Bridgeport contained a provision to the effect that within three months after it began business in Bridgeport the Bank must open a branch in Southport. In January 1833, the Connecticut Bank purchased the property at 227 Main Street in Southport and that year erected this brick structure. In July 1851, the Southport Bank was independently chartered and 227 Main Street was quit claimed to it on February 17, 1852. The Southport Bank became the Southport National Bank on January 2, 1865. On May 19, 1903 the Bank went into receivership. It was re-organized and the name was changed to the Southport Trust Company, succeeding the defunct bank. In 1923 the interior was

Stephen Tyng Mather House, Darien Connecticut

Stephen Tyng Mather House, Darien Connecticut

Deacon Joseph Mather, for whom the house was built in 1773, was the son of the Reverend Doctor Moses Mather, for sixty years Pastor of the Congregational Church in Darien, and Hannah Bell Mather, a descendent of Francis Bell, one of the early settlers of Stamford, Connecticut. A homesite at the extreme edge of Darien remote from the King's Highway and Long Island Sound was chosen in the hope of avoiding Tory raids during the Revolution. This house, being on the outskirts of the settlement, was considered a safe repository by the neighbors for their silver and valuables. These were hidden down the well and also suspended by straps under the top of the highboy, still standing in the Homestead. But

Hotchkiss Block (Irving Block), Waterbury Connecticut

Hotchkiss Block (Irving Block), Waterbury Connecticut

The Hotchkiss Block was the first major office block built in Waterbury. It is central to the commercial district, and the halls on the upper floors served as meeting places for many local fraternal organizations. The building is attributed to Henry Austin, a prominent New Haven architect. Julius Hotchkiss built the structure in 1852-1853. In I876, the structure became known as the Irving Block, presumably after a new owner. In 1892, the structure was purchased by the Platt family, who also owned the two adjacent buildings known as the Platt block. The building was altered between 1893 and 1930, although the exact dates of major changes are unknown. A mezzanine was added to the third story. A large Palladian window in

Skinner-Trowbridge House, New Haven Connecticut

Skinner-Trowbridge House, New Haven Connecticut

Fine Greek Revival house of five bays, two-and-one-half stories, with a prostyle tetrastyle portico. Attributed to Ithiel Town who built many other New Haven structures based on Greek designs. Early photographs indicate house was derived from Greenough Villa in Regent's Park, London by architect Decimus Burton, 1823. Early photographs indicate that alterations destroyed the cruciform shape of second floor. Existing shape is now an off-center Tee with an additional projecting portico on the east. Additions made in 1907: Northeast corner second floor north side bay window (to enlarge dining room which also enlarged basement laundry room), west side open porch west two floor addition to provide kitchen-dining area on ground floor and den on first floor. Second floor, southeast corner added

William Pinto (Eli Whitney) House, New Haven Connecticut

William Pinto (Eli Whitney) House, New Haven Connecticut

Tradition in New Haven holds that Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin and a manufacturer of muskets and rifles lived in this house and died there in 1825. Whitney was also great financier in early New Haven. William Pinto was a merchant when New Haven was a great seaport. He spent many years away from home; in Trinidad and in the Atlantic islands. He owned a few houses and a large amount of land in and around New Haven, much of it on the wharfside. These holdings were continually used in mortgages. The house on Orange Street, however, was held in unquestionable fee simple with no encumbrances until 1818 when it was taken in mortgage by Eli Whitney. The only

John Pitkin Norton House, New Haven Connecticut

John Pitkin Norton House, New Haven Connecticut

Italian villa style residence of two and one-half stories. Original house consists of three asymmetrical units or bays. Center portion has an open three bay loggia, flanked by a tower on the south and pedimented wing on the north. Wings were added on-the south and on the rear, west side, giving house an irregular shape. Over-all dimensions: Present house, including south and west rear wings measures 75'-10 across front by a total depth of 70'-8. Floor plans: The main, floor remains basically the same, except for additions, as architect's original drawings indicate, but upper floors and basement have been altered extensively to provide offices. First floor entrance hall extends full width across loggia, although a temporary glass partition has been installed

New Haven City Hall and Courthouse, New Haven Connecticut

New Haven City Hall and Courthouse, New Haven Connecticut

The Courts were all held in the State House until in April 1861, Messrs. Alfred Blackman, John S. Beach, Charles R. Ingersoll, Norton J. Buel, Dexter R. Wright, and William B. Wooster, were appointed a committee of the bar to consider the expedience of removing the courts to the new City Hall, then nearly completed. Messrs. Wright and Wooster being absent, and Mr. Buel declining to act, the plans were prepared by the first three named, acting with the County Commissioners, Messrs. Edward Parker, A. E. Rice and Charles Ball, and at the December terra, 1862, the rooms were occupied. The Superior Court continued to occupy the rooms in the City Hall at an annual rental of $500. On the 30^th

Pine Street Bridge (Freight Depot Bridge), Pineville Kentucky

Pine Street Bridge (Freight Depot Bridge), Pineville Kentucky

The Pine Street Bridge, a two-span concrete arch bridge erected in 1929 by the Luten Bridge Company and historically referred to as the Freight Depot Bridge, is located in Pineville, the county seat of Bell County, Kentucky. Bell County is located in the extreme southeast corner of the State in the heart of the Cumberland Mountains. The town of Pineville is situated in a valley next to Pine Valley in a bend of the Cumberland River which bisects the county. The bridge is located on the eastern edge of Pineville and spans the Cumberland River with its northern terminus adjacent to the Louisville and Nashville railroad tracks and depot; hence the local name, the Freight Depot Bridge. The bridge primarily provides

Edward Everett House (Turkish Embassy), Washington DC

Edward Everett House (Turkish Embassy), Washington DC

Edward H. Everett, a native of Cleveland, was a multimillionaire industrialist and philanthropist who was maintaining residences in Washington, D.C., Bennington, Vermont, and Switzerland at the time of his death. His obituary in The Evening Star, April 29, 1929 noted:
Mr. Everett was known as a poineer in the glass industry in this country. In later years he acquired oil interests in Ohio and Texas. He was a former director of H. A. Hamilton & Co., and the Compair Corporation of Texas,..[He] was president of The Orchards Co. of Bennington and president of the E. H. Everett Co., which includes oil, gas and sand industries in the Middle West. At one time he was a large stockholder of the Anheuser

John M. Davies House, New Haven Connecticut

John M. Davies House, New Haven Connecticut

John M. Davies as a business man was an associate of the Winchester family (prior to the latter's success in the manufactory of firearms) whose mansion stood immediately to the north of the Davies house. To the south is a mansion (now belonging to the Culinary Institute of America) which once belonged to President Taft after he was President. At the time of the building's completion, Mr, Davies held a banquet for the workmen engaged on the project, and at that time the house was described as follows: ...it is three stories high, has a mansard roof, and is constructed of stuccoed brick. The windows and doors all have segment heads. The first floor consists of a parlor, a library, a

James Dwight Dana House, New Haven Connecticut

James Dwight Dana House, New Haven Connecticut

Noteworthy example of 19^th century stuccoed brick town house with wooden portico of Hindu derivation. It was designed by Henry Austin for James Dwight Dana who was one of the leading scientists of the 19^th century and one of Yale's most distinguished professors. He was the son-in-law of scientist and Yale Professor, Benjamin Silliman and father of scientist and Yale Professor Edward Salisbury Dana. Sillimans and Danas have lived on Hillhouse Avenue for more than 100 years. The house was built in 1849 and remained in the Dana family until acquired by Yale University in 1962. Alterations and additions: Two additions, 1896 and 1905. A library addition replaced the porch on the west side. A wing was added to the north

Willis Bristol House, New Haven Connecticut

Willis Bristol House, New Haven Connecticut

Willis Bristol appears to have been a prosperous citizen. He was senior partner of Bristol and Hall (boots and shoes). Bristol's house at 584 Chapel Street was retained in the family until 1876. The house and lot remain much the same today despite frequent sale and variety of uses as the Mogen David Congregation House; as a school, beauty parlor, and apartment house. The main block of the house is a perfect square 43'-2 x 43'-2. A one-story wing and porch on the rear measures 10'-0 x 40'-2. Besides the two main floors and attic, there is a basement partially below grade. Basement rises approximately 50% above ground, is entered under front porch, and has center hall plan. Western half now

Book Title Abandoned America: Then & Now: A Fun & Fascinating Look Revisiting America's Abandoned Places of the Past

Abandoned America: Then & Now: A Fun & Fascinating Look Revisiting America's Abandoned Places of the Past

Book Title Abandoned Palaces (Abandoned Places)

Abandoned Palaces (Abandoned Places)

Book Title Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences (Jonglez photo books)

Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences (Jonglez photo books)

Book Title Abandoned: Hauntingly Beautiful Deserted Theme Parks

Abandoned: Hauntingly Beautiful Deserted Theme Parks

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