Specially selected historic real estate for old house enthusiasts.

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Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

~~I forgot to include the street view photos…give me second.~~

Added. Street view cameras warps houses, it’s not falling down.

Findagrave has an illustration well.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96112754/william-t-tinsley

In the street view photos, I wondered what those bolts were for. I assume from the awning in the illustration.

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Moderator

Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

Thanks for these. A shame about little Willie.

Photos of the Wm. T. Tinsley family and house:

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Admin

Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

Thanks for finding those. What an elegant lady! Is that of Emma? Hard to tell if it’s the same lady from the family photo. I guess that painting above them is Frederick, who died at 2 years. And she’s holding Nellie along with Henry, Marion, and Carolina.

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Moderator

Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

It was labeled Emma but it could be the 2nd wife Hannah – she lived in the house for 45+ years, long after everybody else was gone.

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Admin

Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

What site did you find those on? As always, you’re amazing at finding stuff like that. 🙂

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Moderator

Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

Must be the step-mom. Here with Emma Laura b.1880:

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Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

Gosh, the shape of the face of this woman seems totally different than the woman in the portrait above. I think the one above actually is Emma. The features are similar; she’s just more gussied up in that portrait, which gives her a bit of a different appearance. and

I have to say, though, that this woman looks rather old. Is it possible this is a grandmother or an aunt, who is also named Emma?

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Moderator

Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

You could be right. I’m getting a step-mom vibe from this one!

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Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

That old Lover’s Lane St. Joseph postcard poem was written by local poet and writer Eugene Field (1850-1895) feeling nostalgic for his home while he was living in London, England. His legacy is well remembered in St. Joseph: https://uncommoncharacter.com/stories/eugene-field/

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Reply to John Shiflet | 6768 comments

1 month ago

My parents had a book of poetry by Eugene Field. I remember reading it as a little kid. Wasn’t he connected with Illinois or Indiana? I vaguely recall something like that.

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Reply to Laurie W. | 1841 comments

1 month ago

Eugene Field was born in St. Louis, MO and began his career in Journalism writing for the St. Joseph, MO, Gazette in 1875. He also met and married his wife Julia Comstock, in that city before moving on to write in St. Louis, and later in Chicago. He eventually wrote and published over a dozen volumes of mainly Children’s poetry. He suffered a heart attack at 45 and passed away in 1895. More biographical information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Field

Laurie, you may have also been thinking about the beloved Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley. (1849-1916) Riley paid his dues and his writing career developed slowly. The home where he spent much of his time is a museum house in Greenfield, Indiana. He lived for some time with a friend in Indianapolis’s Lockerbie Square, also a museum house, today. While at that house he entertained the local children with poetry recitals. Riley was a contemporary of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and enjoyed being on the lecture circuit. More info.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Whitcomb_Riley To this day James Whitcomb Riley remains a beloved Indiana literary figure.

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Reply to John Shiflet | 6768 comments

1 month ago

You’re absolutely right, John. It was James Whitcomb Riley I’m thinking of — delightful poems. We did also have a Eugene Field book at home, but I got Riley mixed up there. Thanks for clarifying that. Now I have to look up some of both their poetry; it’s been many moons since I read them!

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Reply to John Shiflet | 6768 comments

1 month ago

My mom used to read Eugene Field poems to me. What a lovely thing to be reminded of those marvelous pieces. Going to go look for some of them tonight…

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

Eugene Field’s cottage in Denver was saved my Molly Brown about 1927, when she paid for its relocation to a city park Of course her own house is now a popular museum.

I believe that I have the same photograph. I’m going to have to check my inventory, but the family appears the same. Mine is unmarked, so if it is the same photograph, and not simply a similar house with a family, photographed from the same angle, you’ve identified it for me.
Thanks very, very much.

As for the date, I believe that you’re spot on. Not much clothing is visible, but the girl on the end is wearing what was called a ‘promenade bonnet’ or hat,. The were very popular in the mid 1870s.

The first example is from the metropolitan in New York. I’m not certain where the other is located.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

I love to study all aspects of these decades as you know. And while fashion isn’t my thing usually, the clothing does fascinate me. I always like look of mid 1870s clothing. Very dramatic bustle and forward tilted hat/bonnet and the men’s cloth too is cool.

It simmers down in the 1880s and bustle does get smaller but the top of the cloths for women is tight like a sausage.

Then come the giant puffy sleeves of the 1890s https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/1f644.svg which is … very funny to me.

Tight corset lacing was easier to do now because of the metal eyelets. There is this myth that women needed help to get dressed and that it took hours. The fact is, you could easily get into the corset yourself with the snaps on the front and you can simply pull the strings toward of the front of your corset and tighten the corset that way and you’d tie the string like a shoelace in front of you. Which is what most women did. Hollywood made it look like you needed a servant to tie in the back. You didn’t need to tie on the back. There is a wonderful lady on Youtube that actually times dressing and the 1880s entire dressing from under clothes to completion actually took 8 minutes to get on.

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

Great Photographs. I would feel very special escorting any woman dressed like these ladies. The fabrics were sumptuous!

I have been told that to make the fabrics drape with a languid weight, for many years the Victorian era weaving mills used dyes on these lovely fabrics that included heavy mineral salts, some of them toxic. One guide said that perhaps as much as 20-30% of the weight of the finished dress might be these mineral salts, which often burn the fabrics over time, making their preservation difficult.

Have you heard this??

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

I’ve not done too much research in this subject but I’ve heard that as well and know there were dangerous substances like arsenic in wallpapers for example during the era that resulted in illness and discussion in periodicals for decades. So harmful chemicals being in fabric dyes is no surprise to me.

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Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

I really love today’s photo. When you look at this house, you can really see how they picked out all the colors and all the brackets And porch details. My guess is that there are a few colors on this house. It appears that the shutters are color that is different from the window sashes. Well, the trend was leaning to match the color with your window sash, you do see some examples where that is not the case. Surprising how well intact the house is still today. Shutters go missing almost always, but the fact that all the details are still there as well as that iron balcony railing after all these year! I hope the inside has been dealt the same hand.

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

I agree. It’s a great photo, and it’s so marvelous to see that it’s still standing and its exterior mostly unsullied.

My favorite part is all of the people in the windows and out front. They’re everywhere! It’s glorious to see that place so very inhabited. You can almost hear them talking to one another as they prepare to have that photo taken.

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

What id interesting to me is that the brickwork is painted in the photograph. That was often the case when the brick was underfired, to protect it from the weather. It was also a good choice when the bricks from different firings were different colors, leaving the brickwork looking splotchy. The masonry in the current photographs appears to be in good condition, so possibly it was painted because they preferred that color, obviously lighter than brick red.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Very cool. Now I wish we knew the colors. The entire house is painted brick I think with stone caps. Which at first glance in the photo I didn’t notice until I saw the new current view.

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

We need to read more newspapers. Sometimes a reporter noted the colors on newly completed buildings. This is a big and impressive home. Perhaps the local papers ran some sort of auricle.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

I love that. Some times I read a newspaper or article from the day and it gives wonderful detail into interior rooms too.

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

I’m glad you know how to spell ‘article‘ so everyone knows what we are talking about!

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https://www.mnopedia.org/place/milwaukee-avenue-historic-district-minneapolis
https://www.startribune.com/neighborhood-saved-from-demo-is-quaint-with-zero-traffic/284899821/#1

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1 month ago

This is special. This house is one of 48 in a two block long Historic District which is a community driven rehab success story. Citizens banned together and defeated the city’s demolition plans for then derelict structures. Eight had to be demolished but replicas were built to replace them,

1900 Victorian $419,900 Coming Soon. To be on the market 4/14. Open house 4/15.
[There are only two pics thus far; I’ll keep an eye out for if others get added.]
3bed 1bath 1,153sqft
2,178sqft lot
2017 Milwaukee Ave,
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Property Overview
Historic Victorian Era Brick Home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Milwaukee Avenue Historic District features a famous street, w/ community gardens & playground on car-free, bike and pedestrian friendly mall. Built around turn of the century during Minneapolis’ industrial boom as a workers’ community, the community was largely rehabbed w/ new basements & home systems in 1970s. Uniform architecture features brick homes, gabled roofs, flat-arched windows & open, gingerbread detailed porches.
Large windows create light filled space w/ original charms, wood flooring/trim, high ceilings, paneled doors & an open staircase. Reserved off-street parking. New roof/gutters in 2015. Partially finished basement offers unique opportunity for future homeowner. Fantastic location w/ proximity to everything Seward has to offer, cafes & restaurants, groceries & shopping, easy access to freeways and light rail, close to river, downtown and airport.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2017-Milwaukee-Ave_Minneapolis_MN_55404_M73626-26363

For a significantly deeper dive:
Historic images and detailed history. Analysis and recommendation drawings.
https://redesigninc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Seward-Redevelopment-Hennepin-History-1998.pdf

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Wow this is very cool information.

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1 month ago

While rambling around Mpls, I came across this:

THE HI-LO DINER
4020 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
An original 1957 Fodero Diner traveled from Gibsonia, PA to Minneapolis, MN to continue a great American tradition.
Click on About and pause for auto play with a few current interior pics.
https://www.hi-lo-diner.com/

The Fodero Dining Car Company (1933–1981) was a diner manufacturer located in Newark and later Bloomfield, New Jersey. It was founded by Italian immigrant Joseph Fodero, who formed the company after constructing diners with P. J. Tierney Sons and Kullman Industries.[1][2][3]

Fodero diners are known for their stainless steel exteriors and art deco appearance. Diners constructed by the company are located primarily in the Northeastern United States, especially New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.[citation needed]

Many diners constructed by the company remain in operation as of 2010, among them the Empire Diner in Manhattan, New York City, the Agawam Diner in Rowley, Massachusetts,[4] the Edgemere Diner in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts,[5][6] and the Bound Brook Diner in Bound Brook, New Jersey.[7]

Clicking on “See Also” will take you to a page with listings of many notable diners around the country, including some on NRHP.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fodero_Dining_Car_Company

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Fabulous diner! I love those old places. Best ones are the Art Déco ones but they were great up into the 50s.

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Reply to Laurie W. | 1841 comments

1 month ago

I agree totally.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

The Hi-Lo Diner’s current menu is available on their website. Here is the 1972 one:
https://digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/collection/Menus/id/101/rec/166

At that time, they were serving lunch and dinner. Currently, they also offer breakfast all day.

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1 month ago

1909 $1,395,000
5 bed 4.5 bath 5,478sqft
8,712 square foot lot
1725 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Airplane roof. Gloriously preserved original details. I’d want the ability to block the view of the kitchen when desired. Maybe some elegant drapes? I’d like to see more than one bedroom but, with the one shown, I can easily envision myself enjoying an afternoon snooze as the winter sun streams in through the row of slightly bayed windows. With the color paint chosen for it, I tend to believe it faces westward. It’s my belief that every house should have such a room. Love the wood in that dining room.
Stately neighborhood. This house is 0.3 mile from Mt Curve Ave, at the end of the street. Cora and I each posted one house each on Mt Curve Ave in last week’s shares.

From the Property Overview
Stately light-infused brick-wrapped Lowry Hill residence provides the perfect balance of irreplaceable historic architectural details, masterful proportions, thoughtful updates and luxurious modern-day sensibilities – set on sprawling garden-inspired corner lot. Meticulously preserved interiors, precious millwork/moldings, rich textures, ornately carved accents, decorated window embellishments, copious natural light, hand-crafted custom finishes, enduring grandeur and unwavering attention to detail.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1725-Dupont-Ave-S_Minneapolis_MN_55403_M84491-82967 

Lowry Hill is a neighborhood within the Calhoun-Isles community in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The neighborhood is regarded as being one of the city’s most upscale and wealthy neighborhoods.[3] It was historically the home of Minneapolis’s most prominent milling and lumber families.[4]

The neighborhood is named for the terminal moraine on which it sits, a hill named after late nineteenth century real estate mogul and trolley tycoon Thomas Lowry.

The hill was described as swampy and covered in a thick old-growth forest during Minneapolis’s early years. The hill eventually became a small farming area overlooking Minneapolis in the mid 1800s.[4]

Many houses in Lowry Hill were built in the Victorian style before 1900. However, the Colonial, Mediterranean, English Tudor, Richardsonian Romanesque, Rambler, and Prairie style make appearances as well. A majority of those homes were constructed shortly after the neighborhood’s establishment as a preferred residential area for many of the wealthiest of Minneapolis’ citizens. In over 100 years, the look of Lowry Hill has remained almost unchanged, however, some of the large homes built by original owners have been converted to condominia.

terminal moraine, also called end moraine, is a type of moraine that forms at the terminal (edge) of a glacier, marking its maximum advance. At this point, debris that has accumulated by plucking and abrasion, has been pushed by the front edge of the ice, is driven no further and instead is deposited in an unsorted pile of sediment. Because the glacier acts very much like a conveyor belt, the longer it stays in one place, the greater the amount of material that will be deposited. The moraine is left as the marking point of the terminal extent of the ice.[1]

Interesting that this location subsequently became ”swampy and covered in a thick old-growth forest during Minneapolis’s early years.” I don’t know nearly as much about the natural history of MN as I would like, inc. its geology. Possibly a subject for exploration in my next life.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

–The Dupont Avenue block between Mount Curve and Douglas Avenues illustrates the combination of
efforts that often made up the Lowry Hill streetscape. This block of Dupont was part of the Groveland
Addition and was divided into 14 lots. The $10,000 brick veneer house that faced Mount Curve (1700
Dupont, 1895) was built for George W. Frey, a partner in MacKenzie & Frey. Arthur P. Stacy, a
wholesale grocer, hired Harry W. Jones for the design of 1023 Mount Curve (1906).
On the west side of the street, contractor-builder Theron P. Healy erected three frame houses. The one at 1716 Dupont (1894)was built for Frederick Wagner, an insurance executive; 1720 Dupont (1895) was designed by Lamoreaux and MacLeod and built for confectioner John Dorner, and J. A. MacLeod designed 1784 Dupont.
All three were frame with clapboard Classical Revival exteriors and abundant millwork trim; 1720 featured a
full classical portico and a large fanlight in the gable end. Healy (1844-1906) was a native of Nova Scotia.
He was variously the builder, contractor, and sometimes designer of many fine houses in Lowry Hill and
East Isles, and at least 30 houses in the Wedge neighborhood. On Lowry Hill he usually built architect designed houses.101 Formerly in the maritime shipping business in Halifax, he turned to designing and
building after arriving in Minneapolis in 1884.102
The lots across the street were vacant until 1908-09, when three expensive houses with matching garages
were built by Carl P. Waldon. No architect’s name appears on the building permits for these houses at
1715, 1717, and 1725 Dupont.103 The budget for each tile-roofed, tan-brick house ranged from $16,000 to
$18,000.
https://www.lowryhillneighborhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/LOWRYHILL_CONTEXT_122306-reduced_size.pdf

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Amazing heavy and rich design in that hallway!

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

The information about Lowry Hill does include that It was historically the home of Minneapolis’s most prominent milling and lumber families. It certainly shows.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Exactly !!

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1 month ago

1936 $3,950,000
4bed 2.5bath 3,928sqft
0.37acre lot
127 Wildwood Gardens,
Piedmont, CA 94611

From the Property Overview
Grand residence showcasing expansive whimsical gardens and gracious living spaces. The elegant original details and beautiful grounds come together to create a truly enchanting environment. Built in 1936 and sited on over a 1/3 acre this home features a light filled kitchen with tall windows overlooking the gardens and offers adjacent family room.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/127-Wildwood-Gdns_Piedmont_CA_94611_M24180-68260

With both pictures and description, the realtor has chosen to highlight the wonderful gardens. The house is pleasant, light filled, and with original features. I particularly like the downstairs windows. They are quite beautiful. Did I mention the wonderful, high gardener involvement plantings? (The best kind to my way of thinking.)
This house was last sold in 2005. I’m wondering how much of today’s garden was the creation of the present owners.
I cannot tell what the espaliered plant is on either side of the front entry. Zooming in on the leaves and the flower helped me not at all. Anyone recognize it? The leaves appear to be waxy. The two attractive shrubs planted directly in front of them are the elegant Pieris, which has cascading flower clusters, most commonly seen as white..
They keep bees. Is there a kitchen garden tucked away somewhere? They have to convey, right?

Piedmont’s only industry was its “Silk Farm.” Established in 1885, the Ladies Silk Culture Society operated a 15-acre farm planted in mulberry trees near today’s Dudley Avenue and Littlewood Drive. The purpose of the “Silk Farm” was to provide self-sustaining work for young women who lived and worked in a large two story building, harvesting the mulberry leaves, feeding the silkworms who lived on the trays shown in this photo, and painstakingly unraveling the silkworm cocoons. The “Silk Farm” could not produce silk that was as inexpensive as that produced in China, and the farm closed after ten years.

Many of Piedmont’s traditions began in the 1960s. In 1963, a biology teacher began a classroom exercise on birds. Students studied a bird, gave a report and mimicked its bird call. This exercise was wildly popular and soon expanded to the entire student body. It became the Leonard J. Waxdeck Bird Calling Contest, and winners appeared on national television. [If memory serves, they appeared on Johnny Carson.]
https://piedmonthistorical.org/history_of_piedmont.html

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Beautiful, Bobby. It looks like a great house–and like someone understood what they had. I particularly love what they’ve done with the grounds around the house. The gardens are lovely. Are those beehives…?

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

Yes, that is a beehive. If not, it’s something that looks just like many I’ve seen. Since the realtor mentions ”whimsy,” I’m thinking that’s at least part of what was being referenced. I ought to have included that pic since I mentioned the bees. Thanks for doing it for me.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

I never see Keylime around here anymore. Keylime knew a lot about bees and beekeeping. Tried unsuccessfully to curb my slight fear of getting stung too. 🐝
Lol

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

I think Keylime knew a good bit about plants too.

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Deb P | 25 comments

Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

I believe the vining plant surrounding the entry to the Piedmont CA house is climbing hydrangea.

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Reply to Deb P | 25 comments

1 month ago

Ahh..I see. Those individual flowers are the first to appear from a lacecap cluster. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this plant in a garden. Thanks!

Hydrangea petiolaris is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe and North America. Climbing hydrangea is grown either on masonry walls or on sturdy trellises or fences. It is at its best where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade, however it can tolerate dense shade,[1] and is therefore often selected for shady, north-facing areas with little or no sun. Its clinging rootlets are not as strong as some other wall-climbing vines, and so is often anchored with supplemental gardening ties. Its outward-reaching side shoots can be pruned back to a pair of buds to espalier it flatter against its support. When pruned during flowering, the blooms are useful in bouquets.
It can also be grown as a ground cover, to eventually grow over an area of up to 200 square feet (19 m2).[1]

The word espalier is French, coming from the Italian spalliera, meaning “something to rest the shoulder (spalla) against.”[2] During the 17th century, the word initially referred only to the actual trellis or frame on which such a plant was trained to grow, but over time it has come to be used to describe both the practice and the plants themselves.[1]
Espalier as a technique seems to have started with the ancient Romans.[3] In the Middle Ages the Europeans refined it into an art.[2] The practice was popularly used in Europe to produce fruit inside the walls of a typical castle courtyard without interfering with the open space and to decorate solid walls by planting flattened trees near them. Vineyards have used the technique in the training of grapes for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years.

Pics of flower and of plant growth on a wall.

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1 month ago

I really like the Tinsley house. Glad it still has its nice corbels but I can’t imagine why somebody made the shutters disappear. So sad about William, the little guy. In a family of 9 children, only 5 survived to adulthood. Parenthood was a gamble in those days.
I hope this hasn’t been shared here before, if so, apologies. This place is off the beaten track; nearest larger town is Augusta, which isn’t actually very close. I love the interior wood! It’s artistic, and in a Grange Hall. Livermore Falls ME, built 1900, 4700+ sq ft on 3.5 beautiful Maine acres. $295K. It has been turned into a residence already but there’s room for more embellishment if desired. https://oldhousesforsale.com/property/31-river-road-livermore-falls-me-04254/?fbclid=IwAR2SsYcp5PQRFC8qwcl-hKoiI-6-lb3U_I-6h3H5GgzSG3gHGMs4fHp-KDE

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1 month ago

1710, Chesterfield, NJ, 1,675,000
117 acres, organic farm, love the exterior and the wooded interior. Love the old fireplace in the living room and in the dining room. Kitchen love.
258 Ellisdale Rd, Chesterfield, NJ 08515 | MLS #NJBL2044082 | Zillow

1720/1725, Greenwich, NJ, 373,000
John Ware House, beautiful brick exterior.
191 Tindall Island Rd, Greenwich, NJ 08323 | MLS #NJCB2011948 | Zillow

1790, Southfield, MA, 1,600,000
94 acres, loved the way this property is lived in.
460-475 Norfolk Rd, Southfield, MA 01259 | MLS #239976 | Zillow

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Remi | 357 comments

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

I love the Ware house! It looks move-in ready.

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Big fan of the Southfield house. So much warmth to the interior…and those beautiful grounds. You always bring the goods, Kimberly. Thank you!

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EmmaH | 104 comments

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

The Southfield house is a real home. The entrance hall floor! The kitchen! The library! I don’t have words.

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1 month ago

For antique homeowners in upstate New York, two programs sponsored by Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) in Keeseville, NY, may be of interest: Preserving Historic Plaster and Restoring Wood Windows, both scheduled in June 2023.

https://aarch.org/tours/

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Oh, to be close enough to attend those, Barbara. Are you going?

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

No, Kirsten, I don’t plan to attend myself. Unfortunately, my 1800 house lost its plaster and its original windows in the 1920’s, and the 1920’s windows have been well-maintained over the years, thankfully.

BTW, I saw that a link was shared last week for the documentary THE LOSS OF NAMELESS THINGS – did you catch it?

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Oh my gosh! I did not catch the link! I kept going back, but I did not see one. THRILLED. I’ll go back into last week’s chat. Thank you, Barbara!!

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

I am intrigued, we are planning on re-point the cabin windows this summer, but my husband has done it before and that is too far north for us to attend. Glad you mentioned it though!

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1 month ago

1806, Newburyport, MA, 2,650,000
Samuel Allyne Otis House. Neat fireplaces, Strap banded Dutch door. Picture 30 with the pineapple topped bed-lovely.
185 High St, Newburyport, MA 01950 | MLS #73095660 | Zillow

1843, Montville, ME, 675,000
From the listing: “The ”Peavey Homestead” is well situated on over 14 acres with long frontage on the St. George River and True’s Pond. The two residences…”
Love this property and homes, very honest and me.
45,47 Choate Road, Freedom, ME 04941 | MLS #1545995 | Zillow

1830, Madison, NY, 49,900
Lots of looking older needing work
7354 State Route 20, Madison, NY 13402 | MLS #S1463455 | Zillow

1840, Poultney, VT, 489,000
46 Acres,
641 Thrall Road, Poultney, VT 05764 | MLS #4947883 | Zillow

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

The Newburyport house is so so nice. Its history has been preserved quite well. Love the door, as you mentioned. There are a number of graceful elements that make the place a pleasure. And the street its on is a real treat for any old-house lover!

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

All lovely, Kimberly. But gosh, even if it’s not my perfect interior space, the idea of a writers cottage in the woods is what most captures me. I’d take that Montville house in a heartbeat, just for that little tiny place…and then tweak it. LOL!

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_LaBastille
Kirsten, a favorite of mine with a writers cabin

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Fabulous, Kimberly! I’ve never heard of her. Need to investigate further. I love new possibilities to dig into. Many thanks!

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

Anne LaBastille wrote several books of her experiences living in the Adirondack Mountains, including my favorite Woodswoman. I’d encourage you to track it down – it is a wonderful read.

Her cabin has been relocated to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY:

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Wow! So cool! I’ll definitely have to check out her writing. Love it that her writing cabin has been saved, even if they had to move it. Looks like they found a lovely spot for it, in any event.

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

I believe the photo is prior to its relocation. Haven’t yet seen it in its “new” home…

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

I’ve read Woodswoman, so many years ago that I can’t remember any off the specifics. I do know that I found it interesting and read the entire book. A copy may be somewhere in my house

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Hers was a fascinating story. Kimberly glad you mentioned her!

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https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=1auoAXhSaCF

Moderator

Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Thanks Kim! Here’s a virtual tour of her writing space:

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Moderator

Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

I love the Madison NY home, a simple village townhouse with an early addition and details in various styles. The patina of the floors, woodwork and doors is wonderful. If inspection confirms that it’s structurally sound, it’s a bargain project house at less than $50k.

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DianeEG | 864 comments

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1 month ago

This was on a barn site I follow. Hope it’s correct even though very brief descriptions.

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Reply to DianeEG | 864 comments

1 month ago

would like to see the link to the site DianeEG-I’m intrigued 🙂

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DianeEG | 864 comments

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

It’s a Facebook page called: Old Barn Photography. It’s open to anyone to join and allows photographs of barns taken by followers but requests a brief description of where and etc. If you love old barns, it’s a wonderful view of American agri. today and yesterday. The site owner is Mary Mitchell.

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Reply to DianeEG | 864 comments

1 month ago

Those descriptions are pretty good. As a general rule, any barn with a door on its flank, whether it is on level ground, or a bank barn, follows English traditions. Any barn with a gable entry is following Dutch traditions.

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Reply to DianeEG | 864 comments

1 month ago

Great attachment on barbs. Very cool.

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https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-85560-gdx8tb/calea-rahovei-nr-145-153-5-district-bucharest-bu

Supporter

1 month ago

Just in case, something more exotic is your pleasure, here is Bragadiru Palace and Gardens, in Bucharest, Romania. Nicolae Ceausescu bulldozed thousands of similar buildings across Romania. He practiced a vicious sort of Urban Renewal that sought to eradicate Romania’s remarkable architectural heritage and history, anything created before his rule. By the way his virtually unpronounceable name sounds a little like ‘Chow-che skoo.’ For a taste of Romanian art and humor, read ‘A Craving for Swan,’ by Andrei Codrescu.

This Belle Époque multi-purpose building was built for Dumitru Marinescu Bragadiru. Bragadiru established a brewery in Bucharest following the German Tradition, and his wild success allowed him to create this ‘recreation center’ for his employees. In the United States, German Brewers built similar if smaller Turnvereins. The Turnvereins began as places for exercise but quickly mutated into social halls and German community centers around American breweries, essentially like this creation.

Known as the “Colossus”, it was designed by Austrian architect Anton Shuckerl in 1894, and apparently completed about 1905. It was used as a brewery and a performance hall, but also to host several family events of the workers.’ There were residential quarters, but they were not photographed, and perhaps not part of this offering.

What would you do with it?

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https://www.movoto.com/hudson-ny/230-route-217-hudson-ny-12534/pid_5693raiqjh/

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

This is probably one of the loveliest Federal style homes in the Northeast, at least in my less than humble opinion. I first saw it when I was studying then teaching at the CIA, nearly 40 years ago. New York state is rich in similar structures, but this is my favorite.

Completed about 1818, it is a text book example, with the it’s tall proportions, and elliptically arched doorway and window above, derived from Palladio’s Palladian window. The pilasters and strong wooden lintels over the windows make for a very brittle looking building, and mark it as a very, very ,very distant cousin of the Adam Brother’s (John, Robert, James and William Adam) designs, particularly the ill-fated Adelphi development in London.

The paired oval windows in the gable ends adds to the general effect. Yes, the General George DeWolf house in Bristol, Rhode Island, is many times larger and better preserved. It was built by a well educated and very, very rich man, much of his wealth derived from the slave trade, but for me, this small house in a much less important town than Bristol, R.I., is more interesting.

The DeWolf House:
https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/capobject/?refd=PC002.USRI.Bristol.195.01

The Brothers Adam:
https://www.thedicamillo.com/the-adam-family/
and John Adam:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adam_(architect)

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Well I feel silly. Posted everything but a photograph. By the way, most of the mantels are mid-Victorian. marble. Very attractive, but out of character with the house. It would be interesting to find out if the two remaining federal Style mantels are original, salvage, or recent (say, post 1920) recreations.:

The exterior.
One of the few remaining homes by Robert Adam in London, built 1768-1774
The staircase
Looking back toward the door
The Palladian window from inside
The exterior doorway now enclosed by the 1860s wing
Attic room with some attractive chairs, looking like French Empire chairs of the early 1800s. Must be reproductions because they were left behind. Note the Greek klismos shaped saber legs. The forward curving sides of the upholstered back mark their form as bergeres.
A closeup
Typical of the silliness of pulling down ceilings to open up the beams. This is too neatly done to be some sort of unexpected disaster. These are from a sawmill, cut by machine, not with an adze or axe. Every time someone walks upstairs, dirt will gently filter down on everyone. Many years ago, I lived in such a house, and every morning I added sugar to my coffee, the floor above added plaster dust.

.

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https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/princeton/3461-lawrenceville-rd-princeton-nj-08540–2007928287?mid=0#lil-mediaTab

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

I really like this house. It is big, old and comfortable, just the way a house in the country should be. There is a handsome staircase, and nice mantels. The listing photographs couldn’t be less helpful.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Gregory, Thanks for sharing the Federal style home in Hudson, NY. I found the two elliptical/oval attic windows unusual. Do you think they are original to the house? Since there were changes made in the mid-19th century would these windows be replacements from that era? I’m more used to seeing the quarter round attic windows in Federals (and Colonial Revivals-think Amityville horror house) as well as rectangular windows that eventually migrated around the sides of the attic in Greek Revivals.

I see what you mean about the exposed “beams” but, as you pointed out, they are dimensional lumber pieces from a sawmill, not hand-hewn. I have mixed feelings about the current trend of exposing brickwork inside and wood elements like saw-milled framing, shiplap, and anything else that originally would have not been visible. Thanks for sharing the others examples as well.

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Reply to John Shiflet | 6768 comments

1 month ago

Thanks for the complement! I believe the oval windows are original. I’ve seen a few others, but as my slides are still packed, I’m about as useless for photographic information as the realtor’s photographs of the home in Princeton.

By the way, I have not forgotten that I promised to find my slides of Fairview in Claverack, The Point in Staatsburg, and the Mid-Hudson Hospital in Poughkeepsie!!! I am scanning my antique architectural photos, and the slides are behind them in the storage room. My younger brother Insists that I have between 6-8 thousand old photos, and he will not give me the keys until I scan at least half of the old photograph collection.. He believes me to be completely crazy, Well adjusted people have been known to agree with him, but personally I think he was sleepy when he counted. I can’t possibly have that many, but I won’t make anyone wait that long for the slides.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

This is an absolutely stunning building, and its nice to see that it was rightfully returned back to the original owners after the fall of Lenin. They did a truly fantastic job restoring the property and i only hope the new owners treat it with just as much grace as the original family did.

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1 month ago

This was a nice Queen Anne, but it has been the victim of an officectomy It is the Edwin Kelley House, built in 1887, As you look through the photographs, the casual vandalism to turn it into office space becomes obvious: Inserted and missing walls, chunks of baseboard cut out for baseboard radiators, and there is a section of woodwork missing at the top of the main stairs. What was there? There is a firebox with tiles, but no mantelpiece – perhaps it is stored in the basement or attic?
Then there is the curious upper level in the second floor stair hall, partly historic, partly new. The door and glass are obviously new. Has a raised floor been added, or was this simply intended to be a nice place to read a book on a cloudy day?
The large volume of surviving woodwork shows this was a fine house, perhaps by an interesting architect. The ugly addition to the right of the octagonal tower and the odd paint job prevent the house from having the irregular, romantic air the architect was aiming for.
I would turn it back to residential use, as this is kinder, less wearing on an historic interior.

The side elevation
The principal staircase.
Another view.
The unusual construction above the staircase.
an intact mantel.
Tiles and firebox without their mantel.
A mantel with fine tilework.
A typical office space, one room out of two.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Oh dear…photo number 8 has me shaking my head. Love all of those other detail shots, though, Gregory. You can at least see how much marvelous stuff is still there to work with. Those fire places and the tiles are delightful, and I love the built-in bench and step-up room in photo 4.

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

Delightful for sure! I can’t get enough of some of these bold details.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Wheres the link?

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https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2120-Louisiana-St-Little-Rock-AR-72206/2128583794_zpid/?

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1 month ago

This is James Hornibrook Mansion, built for James H. Hornibrook and his wife, Margaret McCulley Hornibrook, one of my favorite homes simply because it is outrageous. . I apologize if it has been posted before.
For more on the family, consult:

The central staircase is spectacular, although some of the woodwork in the second floor hall railings appears to be newer. Perhaps this is simply my imagination. Just a wonderful house! Photographs 1-4

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2120-Louisiana-St-Little-Rock-AR-72206/2128583794_zpid/?

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

WHOAH! Color me sold!

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http://artcontrarian.blogspot.com/2020/10/ziegfeld-theater-by-joseph-urban.html

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1 month ago

For a complete change of pace, here is a fine example of European Art Deco, transferred to the Hollywood hills:

https://www.compass.com/listing/2630-glendower-avenue-los-angeles-ca-90027/1177680741806613745/
Like its contemporaries in Florida, or for that matter, the Côte d’Azur, there is not a stylistic reference that this very accomplished architect has omitted. It’s like Addison Cairns Mizner’s creations, and best of all, the “Mar-a-Lago” estate, introduced to Society in January of 1927 by its owner, Mrs. E.F. Hutton, later Marjorie Merriweather Post. She consulted Marion Wyeth for much of the plan, and Joseph Urban for most of the interiors. Urban is best remembered for his Ziegfeld Theater in New York, a dazzling tour-de-force destroyed for a cheese grater office building in 1966:

When Harry K. Thaw, ‘The Pittsburgh Bounder,‘ (that is what the newspapers called him during his trial for murdering the remarkable architect, Stanford White. Modern historians see no reason to change that description) was invited to see Mrs. Hutton’s (Mrs. Post’s) new house, he walked in and according to legend, said ‘MY God, I murdered the
wrong architect.’

For a history of that extraordinary house refer to:

https://www.maralagoclub.com/history

In any case we still have this wonderful creation in Hollywood.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Another fascinating romp in societal and architectural history, Gregory. Ah, yes! The Stanford White mess. I literally laughed out loud at Thaw’s exclamation regarding the Hutton/Post home.

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https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-85560-gdx8tb/calea-rahovei-nr-145-153-5-district-bucharest-bu

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1 month ago

Just in case something more exotic is your pleasure, here is Bragadiru Palace and Gardens, in Bucharest, Romania.

Nicolae Ceausescu bulldozed thousands of similar buildings across Romania. A vicious sort of Urban Renewal that sought to eradicate Romania’s remarkable architectural heritage and history; literally anything created before he became the monster for which Romania hated him. By the way his virtually unpronounceable name sounds a little like ‘Chow-che skoo.’

For a taste of Romanian art and humor, read ‘A Craving for Swan,’ by Andrei Codrescu.

This Belle Époque multi-purpose building was built for Dumitru Marinescu Bragadiru. Bragadiru established a brewery in Bucharest following German traditional brewing styles, and his wild success allowed him to create this ‘recreation center’ for his employees. Known as the “Colossus”, it was designed by Austrian architect Anton Shuckerl in 1894, and apparently completed about 1905. It was used as a brewery and a performance hall, but also to host several family events of the workers.’

There were equivalent structures in the United States, most erected by German immigrant brewers for their largely Germanic workforce. They were called Turnvereins or Turnhalls, built as community centers. Most have been demolished, at least partly as a result of World War II. The Turnhalle associated with the Tivoli Brewery building in Denver, Colorado, was a fine example. However, it received a brutal ‘restoration in the 1980s or so, and the architects destroyed the ornamental ceiling and left the rebuilt balconies open to show their structure. They had to preserve the proscenium arch, so in contrast to the room’s now unfinished walls, the end wall is plaster. It is the only 19th century theater in the city. It merited a better, more thoughtful design. Without a ceiling, the acoustics must be dreadful.

The last three photographs are of the Tivoli in Denver, a brewery established in the 1860s, just a few years after Denver was established. Tower breweries such as this used gravity to move their product through the brewing process. The right hand wing beside the ‘tower building’ is new. The last is of the silly renovation of the Turnhalle interior. Denver’s Urban Renewal Authority, destroyer of dozens of MAJOR historic buildings literally fought to demolish the Tivoli. The papers were full of the fight to save it.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Simply Stunning!

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https://boscobel.org/about/timeline/

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1 month ago

I first saw this home nearly 40 years ago, while attending, then teaching, at the C.I.A. It is one of the prettiest frame Federal homes in the state. There are grander examples such as Boscobel in Garrison, New York, preserved in an almost comical last minute race against time. Boscobel was under demolition as a surplus government building when an emergency effort was made to save all that remained. There are great photographs of chunks of the house in the back of a flatbed truck.

This house is a more countryfied example, but the debt the unknown designer (to me at any rate) owed to the brothers Adam and very indirectly, Andrea Palladio, is obvious. The tall, almost stretched, proportions of the house are somewhat typical for the American Northeast. The very tall pilasters, inspired by John Adam and his brothers, divide the house’s façade into five sections, centered on the elliptically headed doorway and window above as distant relatives of Andrea Palladio’s Palladian window.

The interior is actually very conservative for the date. For example, by 1818, many fine homes were built with more elegant staircases, with railings that ran smoothly, unbroken by newel posts. Apparently the house received some updating about the time of the kitchen addition in 1860. Most of the mantels are mid-Victorian marble. Very attractive, but out of character with the house. It would be interesting to find out if the two remaining Federal Style mantels are original, salvage, or recent (say, post 1920) recreations.:

The façade.
The conservatively designed staircase.
view of the front hall interior.
The second floor window interior.
The old exterior door now enclosed by the kitchen wing of 1860.
A mid-nineteenth century mantelpiece.
7A ground floor interior with what appears to be an original mantel. Note the apparent effort to display the floor joists. This is a floor of sawn lumber, nothing here was shaped by an adze or an axe. There are even the secondary braces and bridging visible, along with wiring. Perhaps the ceiling has just fallen? Or work stopped part way through the job. Were they planning to replace the exterior when they got around to it? Certainly this looks odd to me.
A Victorian ornamental plaster medallion.

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Moderator

Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Thanks for sharing this one again! It’s a fine house without the National Register recognition given to many lesser places in the region. It was built for Judge and State Senator John J. Miller (1767-1839) of old Dutch stock, with additions/updates you noted by his granddaughter Jane Goodwin. The house has a nice balance of high-style architecture and rural simplicity. And yes, please replaster the ceiling!

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Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

Thanks for finding the builder’s client. I conducted a search yesterday, checking the state and federal registers, and the HABS, and did not find that information. Where did you find it? In any case, thanks for finding it.

I have contacted the state preservation office, and I will contact the listing agent Monday, with regard for the need to preserve the original siding.

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Moderator

Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Yes, it’s amazing the state preservation office doesn’t even have a file on it. I would have figured out the owner from maps and deeds with brilliant research, but I found an old listing that saved me the trouble:
http://www.peggylampman.com/prop113A.html

The Mulder/Miller family had 1000 acres there very early, and lived on it 200+ years. They were one of the old clans in the region that spoke Dutch at home long after the Revolution. I agree that it’s an important house that shouldn’t be carelessly updated.

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Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

Thanks for identifying the builder’s client! I checked the state and national registers, and the HABS, and could not find this information. In addition, I dug around in other listings. Where did you find it??

I have contacted the SHPO’s office about the house, and the possible loss of its original siding and exterior as a result of the deteriorating paint. I will contact the listing agent Monday.

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Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

Did I miss a link someplace??

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1 month ago

This stone Greek Revival home near Princeton is handsome, a comfortable old home, perfect as a country house, There is a fine staircase, and at least one nice mantel. The photographs could not be less helpful.

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1 month ago

Albany, NY Craigslist – A&C tiles: https://albany.craigslist.org/atq/d/albany-vintage-england-arts-crafts/7606487207.html

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Oops – looks like the two on the left are gone. The other four are still available for $20 – not a bad deal.

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https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/26-Eben-St-Milford-MA-01757/56711634_zpid/

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Those are gorgeous so now I’m off to investigate A&C tiles….

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Anne M. | 1467 comments

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1 month ago

300 years old and counting!
1723 Saltbox Colonial in Milford, MA $649,000, so much to love about this house including the 6 fireplaces. According to listing it is the only original saltbox remaining in Milford which was founded as a town in 1780.

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Reply to Anne M. | 1467 comments

1 month ago

Thank you for finding this It looks like the Milford I knew 50 years ago. You can see homes whose façades look like this across New England.

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Reply to Anne M. | 1467 comments

1 month ago

Oh my, that was one dreamy house! Wow, seriously, Anne, thank you for that New England kind of purrfect.

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https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/106-Merriman-Ave_Syracuse_NY_13204_M48084-50193

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Reply to Anne M. | 1467 comments

1 month ago

very nice Anne, love this house, and wish to note the kitchen floor, I would want to be barefoot in this house

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Paul | 143 comments

1 month ago

1894 Italianate, only $4000 There is a lot of original woodwork though painted and 2 incredible fireplaces. Obviously needs major restoration. At the moment it is a 2 family place that is owned by the Greater Syracuse Land Bank that’s trying to save it.

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Reply to Paul | 143 comments

1 month ago

Wow!!!. You found a treasure, the big deal for the week. With the turn-of-the-century Classical porches, It wasn’t until I looked at the interior photographs that I realized that this was a fine Italianate home. A handsome property, great interiors, and less than the cost of many used cars.

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Reply to Paul | 143 comments

1 month ago

Gosh, what a treasure for sure! Job one for me would be stripping that mantle – even if it was pouring rain and the roof was leaking directly on my head!

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natira | 1189 comments

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Barbara,I thought the exact same thing! It would be such a joy to carefully remove all the paint layers, discovering the gorgeous woodgrain below. Hell, if someone on here buys the house, they can ship the mantel to me and I’d strip it for free!

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

OMG! This needs this. It needs to be stripped and varnished!

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

Did you notice that the floor is laid around the mantle? Is it possible that this was never a working fireplace? Note the lower baseboard like board across the ‘firebox’ opening. I believe it was a mantle designed to sit behind a stove, like the shelves we often see mounted below stove pipe thimbles.

In addition, is it possible that this was grained originally? I have used old scalpels to pop the later paint off woodwork to determine the original finish..

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

Great catch. I sure did! I was thinking it was never working and was just a faux just like you said and maybe had a stove pipe.

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Reply to Paul | 143 comments

1 month ago

Wow, what a score! The wallpaper is too cool. I stayed up way too late last night watching two YouTube videos about the history of wallpaper, fascinating indeed.

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Reply to Paul | 143 comments

1 month ago

I’m glad to see it is Land Bank owned. Anytime I see a house that might salvage for more than the asking price I get concerned but here an organization is trying to keep it from becoming salvage. Yes, the house looks tired…there’s evidence of water leakage, so job one would be to fix that right away. Everything thereafter looks fairly straightforward-a methodical, room by room approach would probably work best for most D-I-Y restorers. Great surviving details are the staircase (newel, railing, and balustrade) the slate mantel(s) and especially the wood “Eastlake” (was probably described as “Modern Gothic” at the time) mantel heavily layered in paint. Paint here isn’t necessarily bad because if the original coating layer was shellac, then subsequent paint layers should come off fairly easily revealing perhaps furniture grade wood construction. All that is needed on the exterior is to remove later alterations and bring the porch back to a Victorian era appearance. Bargain hunters should keep in mind that the land bank requires proof of restoration funds amounting to $140K as a condition of sale.

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Reply to Paul | 143 comments

1 month ago

good luck you pretty home-glad Barbara showcased the lovely fireplace mantle

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1 month ago

TV Show Alert for old house lovers

Tonight (Saturday) 8PM EST on the HGTV Channel airs the season premiere of Houses With History. I’m encouraged by the number of recent TV shows that are sympathetic towards old houses and break from the old is mold and only new is gold mindset. Happy Holidays, everyone.

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JDmiddleson | 4765 comments

Reply to John Shiflet | 6768 comments

1 month ago

I’m encouraged that there are at least a few shows that showcase more on restoring old homes, trying to save some of the old fabric rather than strip them of all their character. We need more shows like this, John! Thanks for sharing the info!

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Supporter

1 month ago

1950 Cottage $4,500,000
1 bed 1 bath 472sqft
0.47 acre lot
3761 Casey Key Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275. Nokomi is in southeast Florida, on the Gulf.
I think this little place is rather charming. It’s been made comfortable to live modestly. The thought of living on a beach has always been appealing. The concern is this is a barrier island beach and I have to wonder how many more years it has, to exist. Serious erosion has already occured. Is someone really going to buy this and build something new?
Good luck sweet little cottage.

Property Overview
If you’ve ever dreamed of living on the beach, collecting shells on the shore and watching the sunset and stars come out every night, this may be your dream come true. Nearly half an acre and 108 feet of frontage on the Gulf of Mexico is prime for building your dream home. New home plans designed by renowned Naples architects, Stofft Cooney, and recently granted a Sarasota County variance, many of the challenges of building on the beach have already been overcome. Enjoy the current little one-bedroom cottage in the near term and realize an amazing new home on this beautiful site. Due to the building code on barrier islands, renovations to the existing structure are very limited and adding on to the current structure impossible. Perfectly situated between the cities of Sarasota and Venice, come see why those that are lucky enough to call Casey Key home know that this is a very special place. Close to restaurants, shopping, marinas, golf and tennis.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3761-Casey-Key-Rd_Nokomis_FL_34275_M65643-28371

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Not to be picky but Nokomis is south WEST Florida. Gorgeous area for sure.

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Reply to celeste | 208 comments

1 month ago

Yes indeed. The Gulf is to the WEST of Florida. I was thinking about the NC barrier islands as I read the listing and wrote my comment. Precision is always good in these matters. Thank you.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Have you ever been to that part of Florida?

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Reply to celeste | 208 comments

1 month ago

No. I’ve been as far south as the Everglades and down the Keys to Key West but I got there via the east coast. Where the Atlantic Ocean is located. (I’ve been brushing up on my geography.)

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

PS. I just came across this. Apparently, I am in good company with my geographic confusions. Although, mine was the more impressively wrong one. But still, I feel better now.

Casey Key [the barrier island on which this cottage is located] is erroneously named after Captain John Charles Casey as a result of a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Surveychart published in 1851. Captain John Casey and his army were settled at Casey’s Key, located south of the island, at the time.[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Key,_Florida

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

I like it, kitchen is for me, nice piece of land for the little home

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https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/110-Overlook-Ct_Imperial_MO_63052_M75990-80663

1 month ago

Imperial, MO, built 1928, $1.5M. Damn fine way to have your cake and eat it, too:

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Reply to Tony Bianchini | 280 comments

1 month ago

Someone posted this beauty recently because I saved a couple of the pictures.

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Reply to Tony Bianchini | 280 comments

1 month ago

What a gorgeous estate. It’s particularly special when such a grand residence has a feeling of comfortableness about it. A person could just settle in there and feel right at home quite quickly. Retiring upstairs to this bedroom would also be pleasant.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

You can’t get that beautiful velvety blue-green with painted sheet rock, right ?

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Reply to celeste | 208 comments

1 month ago

Gosh no. It never looks as good.

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https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/120-Balcom-Rd-Mount-Vision-NY-13810/31632997_zpid/

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1 month ago

“1880” (but looks much older to me) fixer/foreclosure on just under an acre in the Otsego County, NY, Hamlet of Mount Vision for $48,900:

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

A bit difficult to get a good “read” but the wide floorboards, the long open hearth, a center chimney, and the 12 over 8 divided sash could indicate a much older structure. Nothing I’ve mentioned was considered current in 1880. I wish they could have shown the attic and/or the basement, if it has one. (photo 6, maybe?) If the house is indeed early it should show evidence of timber framing rather than post 1840’s balloon framing. I could see the console porch overhang as dating from 1880 but not much else. Thanks for sharing. The property with a .88 acre lot seems to have a very reasonable asking price.

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Reply to John Shiflet | 6768 comments

1 month ago

Yes, my thoughts as well, John. Happy Easter!

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

what a lovely house to fall in love with

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https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/221-Main-St-Worcester-NY-12197/31641705_zpid/

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1 month ago

1885 Stick Victorian on 1.2 acres in Worcester, NY, for $69,900. I have been in this house and it is fabulous! The staircase, front doors and exterior detail (not shown very well) are swoon-worthy. I’ve been waiting for this listing, and expected to see it in the $85,000 range, at least. Anyone looking in central New York who wants a seriously original house with a wonderful carriage house and space to garden should follow up on this ASAP.

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

Your so right! What a score with the most important boxes checked off, like land for garden with established trees being probably number one.

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Reply to celeste | 208 comments

1 month ago

Agreed, Celeste! I realized after posting that most people would look at my gushing comments and then see all that needs to be done and decide that I am off my rocker!

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Reply to Barbara V | 2241 comments

1 month ago

ow so cheap! Stunning woodwork potential and great porch details. Love this house. Could be really nice!

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1 month ago

1895 Victorian $889,000
4 bed 2 bath
1,774sqft
7,775 square foot lot
3407 E 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90063

From the Property Overview
:: The John C. Hayes Residence, 1895 :: Carefully moved to its current location in 1925 by owner and architect, Charles Lantz, this incredibly rare Victorian is a shining example of the meticulous detail and craftsmanship that went into the early development of Los Angeles :: Astonishingly, over the past 128 years this home has been lovingly cared for and restored, one steward at a time, and is now ready for its next chapter. Classic exterior Folk and Queen Anne Victorian details remain remarkably intact such as a sweeping wrap around porch, an ornamental decorative gable, delicate spindle work and lace like brackets. On the interior, the especially bright property retains the original Douglas Fir floors, 12-foot ceilings, an original parlor and period style lighting. The remodeled kitchen features a vintage Wedgewood stove with an oversized hood and period style cabinetry hardware.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3407-E-4th-St_Los-Angeles_CA_90063_M11970-00495

I’d love to see this beautiful house moved again, to a more befitting setting. Street view, esp across the street, is disappointing.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

love, including all the mature plants

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Admin

1 month ago

More headers have been added to the top of the site (for desktop/tablet folks; cell does not.)

There are 675 unique headers, with more coming soon, for approximately 2000 old photographs of homes and buildings displayed in the headers. I noticed some duplicates, which will be fixed one day. 🙂

The header gallery page now includes links to where the home or building was featured and whether it has been located, demolished, unknown, or still requires discovery. I still have links to add and fix duplicates, but looking through them is fun. If you don’t see a link, it’s either because I haven’t added it yet, or it’s not featured in a Friday or flashback post yet.
https://www.oldhousedreams.com/old-houses-header-gallery/

I am working on flashback posts, but I am slow going on editing those. 🙂

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Moderator

Reply to Kelly, OHD | 14944 comments

1 month ago

Thanks Kelly, and Happy Easter!

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Admin

Reply to JimH | 8077 comments

1 month ago

You too! I had forgotten! I even had some interesting Easter postcards ready, lol…well, next year!

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Morna | 369 comments

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1 month ago

This is listed as an 1865 house on a half acres for $325,000 in Grantham NH. I think of that style entrance as a decade or two earlier than that, but i really don’t know. There have been some updates I don’t care for, but the house just looks so warm and welcoming, with good light and floors I want to walk barefoot on.
https://www.redfin.com/NH/Grantham/20-Route-114-03753/home/88332099

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https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/508-2nd-St_Honey-Grove_TX_75446_M75580-10812

1 month ago

Honey Grove, TX. A veritable “Honey Hole” of Victoriana, in TX. Built 1897. $175K and needs a lot of work, but what a gem you’d have!

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Reply to Tony Bianchini | 280 comments

1 month ago

All that for $175K. So much to like.All that wonderful unpainted original woodwork. I got curious about the name.

David Crockett discovered the area of Honey Grove when he camped here on his way to join the Texas Army at San Antonio in 1836. Crockett sent many letters back to Tennessee, telling of an area with an abundance of honey-filled trees, hence the town’s name. In 1837, Samuel Erwin became the first settler of the city.
[ ]
–The Crockett Park Monument, in the same area, indicates that Honey Grove was named by Crockett, but he died before it could become a town. It states that one of his old friends, Sam Erwin, became the Founder of the Settlement. The monument reads in part that Crockett traveled by riverboat, horseback, and on foot, entering Texas along the Red River, camping at a site half a mile Northeast of today’s park, where he found wild bees and honey in hollow trees, and called the campsite a “honey grove”. He is said to have told friends he would settle here later, but he died a few weeks later in the cause of Texan liberty, at the Alamo.
https://cityofhoneygrove.org/history/

I wish this house had some sizable shade trees.I wouldn’t insist on their hosting wild hives. I also wouldn’t protest if they did have wild bees hanging out in them.

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Morna | 369 comments

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1 month ago

Then I have 2 funky little places that I just like.

1926, supposedly, in West Hurley NY for $159,900
The first is listed as 1926, but i swear I see wide boards under the linoleum in the room in pictures 9 and 13. I’m beginning to suspect that some realtors have a dart board with random dates on it for listings. The listing says this needs a complete rehab, but I like it pretty much the way it is. I just wish it had more land and wasn’t wedged in the road corner like that.
https://www.redfin.com/NY/West-Hurley/75-Collier-Rd-12491/home/140185011

1851 in Enfield NH for #125,000. This one has been being used for heated storage, so at least the heating has been some protection, but someone has made a good attempt at painting over any character. But for that price, with 2.64 acres, it could be quite nice.
https://www.redfin.com/NH/Enfield/8-Arnold-Dr-03748/home/103432878

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https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/12338-Crows-Ranch-Rd_Salado_TX_76571_M95460-60644

1 month ago

Salado, TX, built 1983, $1.49M. Bizarre amalgam of salvage materials:

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Reply to Tony Bianchini | 280 comments

1 month ago

Interesting. Bizarre is a good word! I feel it is bizarre, kind of cool, kind of attractive, a little hideous, a little clumsy, and a little ridiculous all at once.

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Reply to Tony Bianchini | 280 comments

1 month ago

Very strange. I wonder what the inspiration might have been. Cross country trips with stops at every salvage yard along the way? Salvage as souvenirs? Why not?
I did find stuff to admire out in the acreage. I so want a gate and fencing like this. I’ve always envisioned mine being green but that’s a minor point. And there are bees accompanied by wonderfully semi-aged ruins. What a great location to stick a faded Adirondack chair. I could just plop myself down and enjoy the sounds of buzzing bees while pondering if those ruins can qualify as a Folly. I believe they can.
I’ve read about how to encourage moss growth. Something to do with a mixture of buttermilk and cow dung. Or maybe that was for simething else…

Call me when it’s time for supper.

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natira | 1189 comments

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

The fences are made of cattle panels. They are great! We are currently replacing all of our wire fencing with these. I buy 30 of them a year with the tax return *grin* We decided to do this so we won’t have to be constantly repairing fences for the rest of our lives.

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Reply to natira | 1189 comments

1 month ago

I did not know the name. Thanks. On hiking trails in the East Bay hills, I regularly see gates like the ones in that pic, of various sizes depending on whether they are intended for people or cows but the fencing is always barbed wire. Many of the parks have dairy farms within them and cows are often seen. Their grazing locations get moved about. They are considered to be part of the East Bay Regional Parks’ fire suppression strategies. Goats are brought in during the summer. They are our summer visitors; much happiness ensues when they appear.

Speaking of fencing, I have no idea what the purpose of the low fence around the hives could be.

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natira | 1189 comments

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Perhaps to keep dogs and small children away? Those are hog panels. They are 34 inches tall, as opposed to cattle panels that are 50 inches tall. They also make horse panels, with smaller spacings, and they are 60 inches tall.

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Reply to natira | 1189 comments

1 month ago

I love it that you’ve sent me the heights of those different fences. Learning about such things always makes me smile. I think those 34” tall panels are what is used to contain the grazing goats I mentioned above.Those are electrified to give a mild ”keep away” message, as various dogs of mine over the years could attest. Lacking a current-carrying wire added at the top of the fence, that’s clearly not the case here.
I had the same thought as you, about keeping dogs and small children away. Every German Shepherd I’ve ever lived with could easily jump that fence and my last one, Folly, could well have been curious enough to do so.
Maybe any dog they have is smaller, or less inquisitive. So, small dog and/or small children it is.
Thank you, again. I love stuff like this.

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https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1008-San-Antonio-Rd_Crockett_TX_75835_M99284-11088

1 month ago

Crockett, TX, built 1924, back on the market a $999K. SPACIOUS:

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1 month ago

A person could spend days looking through this house and I think the owner might own an antique business. If not, they certainly could.I cannot begin to express how charmed I am by those tightly clipped artfully composed hedges. This entire offering is wonderful. I have a hunch I know which lighting fixtures are ”excluded.”

1924 $8,500,000
6 bed 4.5+bath 4,125sqft
0.47acre lot
714 NE 59th St,
Miami, FL 33137
From the Property Overview
Truly one of a kind, this 1924 architectural jewel in historic Morningside has been restored to perfection and is on the market for the first time since 2000. “Le Jardin” well named for its luscious, magnificently landscaped gardens has an architectural authenticity rarely found. Le Jardin has high impact windows, Spanish barrel tile roof, terracotta & wood floors, arched windows, beautiful lighting fixtures (2 exclusions), beam ceilings, sunroom, courtyards, secret nooks, fountains & statuary in the exquisite gardens, patterned Chicago brick driveway & terraces, gazebo, salt water pool & so much more.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/714-NE-59th-St_Miami_FL_33137_M63275-23301

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Lush, tropical haven of a house within hecka cool grounds. I’m also a sucker for well clipped shrubbery, the older the better. I was born in Miami in 1969 and have wonderful memories of the Coconut Grove/Coral Gables/South Miami neighborhoods with a near obsession for coral stone homes.
How long will topiary plants live, I wonder, (and haven’t researched yet) because I know there are some several hundred years old in England and Europe.

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https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/211-Rose-St_Laporte_IN_46350_M47211-25969

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Reply to celeste | 208 comments

1 month ago

I love the domed hedges out front, cool place overall though

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MrMike | 131 comments

1 month ago

This was on the market only a few years ago, and is for sale once again (I believe I saw it here back then).
And I still say if LaPorte was a real option for me job-wise, I’d be buying this place!

1901, $525K

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Reply to MrMike | 131 comments

1 month ago

I can see why you’re so enamored.. Such a beautiful house, just full of unmolested original features. The setting is lovely with lots of large trees and others coming along. The lawn area is large enough that a person who wanted more flowering plants would find sufficient room to judiciously cut into it. That person, of course, would be me.
Realtor says it’s Contingent.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Certainly a very nice home, but I’d never buy it. My ex-wife is from La Porte.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

I know the feeling. After all, a person has to have some standards. 😎

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Reply to MrMike | 131 comments

1 month ago

Yeah, that’s a stunner of a home, MrMike. Very clearly cherished and well cared for. The agent was super smart to put in an historic photo of the house with people crammed onto that spacious porch. They should get a bit extra in their commission check for drawing attention to the value of the property’s history, not just textually but visually. Bravo!

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1 month ago

greetings all-so I could not find my mouse for my computer, had seen that one of the cats had tipped over some books on my portion of the couch where the mouse was set. Assumed it was my elder cat (he tends to move in determination, but without much thought). Little did I know that my son or husband had picked up the mouse and put it in my husbands crowded couch table. 🙂 Husband went to pick up son after a day of snowboarding today and I went through the living room looking around my place of preference. Went so far as to order a new mouse that I later canceled. The boys pointed out the mouse on their return. I can now share again with you 🙂 with my mouse. I had a few more that I wanted to share over the weekend, here they are, sorry if they have already been brought to share:

1951, Upper Brookville, NY, 3,475,000
Love the simple grid gate, the circular ceiling window.
1167 Pine Valley Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771 | MLS #3469502 | Zillow

1936, Laguna Beach, CA, 1,950,000
From the listing: “Vintage Laguna Village Cottage offered for the first time in 40 years.”
Cute little cabin. I would consider some color to the lower portion of the wall or hang some colorful Mexican wall hangings.
634 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | MLS #NDP2302463 | Zillow

1928, Reading, PA, 184,900
From the listing: “The charming and unique Earl Gables Court in the Antietam Valley has been a landmark in Mount Penn since the early 1900s. This single home is bursting with character and charm from the terra-cotta roof down to the flower beds with arched doorways, spiral columns and European themed windows in between.”
Love the tiles on the fireplace and the bathroom tiles.
7 Earl Gables Ct, Reading, PA 19606 | MLS #PABK2028370 | Zillow

1912, Los Angeles, CA, 1,950,000
Shingled home with a lot of white paint, but would be nice to tone down with some calm colors or stripping to the wood. Slide 19 appears to have a lovely ceiling. Love the Asian furniture show on slide 28.
2362 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 | MLS #23-253910 | Zillow

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Wonderful home on Colorado. I have admired it as I have driven by. Now I know what the interior is – Very ,very nice!
However, bet you saw that coming, too white, too gray. I have to bring in professional strippers to reveal the wood. Still a lovely home.

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Reply to Gregory_K | 1586 comments

1 month ago

yes, I was too excited outdoors imagining what I might get to see indoors.

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Really love the 1912 Shingle, but YES…needs more color inside to soften it up and align it more with period.

Wow…check out the crazy oculi in that Oyster Bay home!

The toute petite 1928 is adorable. The front door is quite striking, as is the stair. Would love to get rid of the false ceiling in the kitchen, though.

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G.W. Riley : illustrated catalogue of latest designs in rustic work : G.W. Riley [Firm] : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

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1 month ago

Victorian idea of Rustic Work for all types of objects. You can still find some of these objects out there now like plant stands and chairs in antique stores and no surprise many people can’t date them to the 19th century. The design still carries the same framework as the items they’re mimicking but in a “rustic” way. Pretty different from our idea of rustic today.

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Illustrated catalogue and price list of shade rollers, window shades, brass and nickel shade trimmings … : Cushman Bros. & Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

I think they still make these green slat like shades even today. I didn’t realize until now they thought those were “rustic”

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

I love this website

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Reply to Kimberly62 | 3869 comments

1 month ago

Me too. I love Archive.org. So much history

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1 month ago

1958 $1,995,000
4bed 4bath 2,976sqft
0.58acre lot
3360 Dwight Way,
Berkeley, CA 9470
Property Overview
Splendid mid-century, originally designed by Robert Ratcliff with spectacular Bay views on four lots totaling more than a half acre! The distinguished owners artistically created a world of its own for work and play. The large pool house has walls of glass.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3360-Dwight-Way_Berkeley_CA_94704_M22407-19639
Well, this is just wonderful. It’s so Berkeley, with its reminders of Berkeley funkiness, there to be savored. The pool house contains an indoor pool.
Distinguished, indeed. One of the owners is Virginia Davis of Virginia Davis Fiber Construction. Her husband Martin is the chief technology officer (CTO) of the company.
Here she tells us about herself and her work:

Here I am in my Berkeley studio, where I have lived and worked since 1996. My husband and I lived in many places, including London, Paris, Mexico City, India, Japan, Guatemala, and Uzbekistan, before we settled permanently in Berkeley. In my work, I have benefited greatly from my travels, and especially from my exposure to many folk craft traditions.

In the beginning, I experimented with various media: macramé, enamel, wood working, and sculpture. In 1968, I studied sculpture at the Sir John Cass School of Art in London. This was subtractive sculpture, carving stone or wood and modelling in clay. Returning to New York, I continued sculpture at the Art Students League. Then, one day, I saw an enchanting and massive rope construction by Neda Al-Hilali outside the American Craft Museum. I found this example of additive sculpture, made with pliable fiber, immensely inspiring.

I imagined a rope construction for which I made the rope. It was with this in mind that I enrolled in a spinning and dyeing course taught by the artist Mary Dusenberry. This was in 1971, at an arts and crafts school that had been established during the Great Depression at Riverside Church in New York. I emerged from the course with a considerable amount of yarn; this led me to pursue weaving in a course at the same school, taught by Sandra Harner.

In addition to the basics of loom weaving, Sandra encouraged us to explore various advanced topics. This was my introduction to ikat, and I was delighted to learn about the many possibilities offered to a weaver by using a resist technique to dye the threads, thereby placing designs on the threads before weaving them. I soon began teaching weaving at the same school, and enjoyed being part of the convivial group of enthusiastic teachers. It was very sad that the administration of Riverside Church closed the school.

Meanwhile, Berkeley was developing into a center for fiber art. In 1973, Fiberworks, a school devoted to fiber art, opened. Pacific Basin was another such school there. I began spending time in Berkeley away from my New York studio. I took a course on Japanese Country Weft Ikat at Fiberworks, and a more advanced course from Jun Tomita. I learned many fiber techniques at those schools.

[There is much more, with multiple examples of her work.] She ends by saying, ”Approaching my 92nd birthday, I hope to continue to produce interesting work as long as I can.”
https://www.tsgny.org/virginia-davis-profile

This house has views from the Golden Gate Bridge south. It’s on the south side of the UC Berkeley campus, just under a mile and a half away from the Campanile. I mention this because Annie, the UC Berkeley Peregrine Falcon has four eggs this year and the first one has just hatched, in all its small adorableness.He’s presently hiding out under Mom. Annie and her mate, Lou, have been taking turns on the eggs since early last month. Annie is the larger of the two. Here’s the live link:
Cal Falcons Nest Cam, UC Berkeley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nvCVS2TRRk

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

By way of self correction, I want to note that there is no way to tell the sex of this one, this young. That gets determined when they are old enough to be banded. The other eggs have not yet hatched. This can be a days long process, as was laying them.

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

A second mouth to feed.

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https://www.oldhousedreams.com/2019/08/01/c-1820-loyalist-ontario/

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Reply to bobby white | 727 comments

1 month ago

Love this share, what a great house and a great life –and the birds, so cool

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Louba | 26 comments

1 month ago

I shared this one in 2019. Built in 1820. Odessa, Ontario Canada

It’s on the market again.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25445001/6429-county-road-2-odessa

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1 month ago

I found this wonderful letter about the installation of Electric light versus gas light from 12/8/1881 written by a Coiner at Philadelphia Mint to the superintendent Hon. A. Loudon Snowden. I share with the lovers of early electric and gas lighting to get a peek into the actual users of these things and their opinions.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Mint of the United States at Philadelphia, Pa., Coiner’s Department, December 8, 1881
Hon. A. Loudon Snowden, Superintendent.

Sir;

In reply to the request contained in your letter of this date, relative to the use of the Electric Light, I have the honor to state, that I have enquired of the foremen of the various rooms in which the lights are used, and I find that it is universally considered to be a better light than gas. I cannot find any one who would advise going back to gas. As you are aware we have two kinds of lights in use — the incandescent, and the arc — and the opinions expressed by the employees relates to which ever light they are working by. This explanation is necessary because I find two opinions relative to the effect up on the eyes coinciding, coming from rooms lighted by each. For instance, the Adjusting Room, is lighted by the incandescent light. Employees of that room report that their eyes have been strengthened, since the introduction of the electric light — that upon retiring from work after the use of gas, they were unable to read without the use of spectacles, but now they find that they can read without glasses, after working under the electric light. From the Rolling Room, in which the arc light is used, I hear the same story as to the strengthening of the eyes. To avoid too great a strain on the eyes, shades were furnished, but after the eyes become somewhat accustomed to the new light these shades are gradually being abandoned — this is the case with employees working under both kinds of light. The incandescent lights burn steadily — they do not flicker in the least. Occasionally the volume of light is lessened, but the decrease of brilliancy does not affect the sight with pain, as the jerking or flickering of a flame would. The only objection raised to the arc light is the flicker that it is subject to. All say that this is an annoyance, but it is not so unendurable as the gas — that is, it is preferable to work with the flicker of the arc light, than to go back to gas.

As to the “precision of the work performed” under the electric light, as compared with gas, there is certainly no question. The work can be better performed now than formerly, because the men can see better to do it. There are portions of the Rolling Room, for instance, better lighted under the electric lights, than they are in the day time, and pieces of metal can be more easily detected on the floor than ever before. The same holds good as to the work of the Coining Room -— defective planchets, or faulty pieces are more readily detected, and the machinery more clearly observed.

The only improvement that now occurs to me would be some arrangement to secure perfect steadiness in the arc light, and thus avoid its only objection — the occasional flickering already alluded to.

My opinion of the respective merits of the two systems of illumination — gas and electricity, can be best summed up by that expressed by an employee who, when asked how he liked the new light replied, “splendid — don’t want any better’.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant O.C. Bosbyshell Coiner.

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Jkleeb | 721 comments

Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

Wonderful to get the personal first-hand account!

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Reply to Jkleeb | 721 comments

1 month ago

I thought so to. I don’t know much about arc lighting but I didn’t realize it could flicker until I read this and that appears to be their only complaint. So clearly the incandescent bulb won them over. Interesting part about gas lighting when he said “they were unable to read without the use of spectacles, but now they find that they can read without glasses”. Interesting. Real? Dramatic? Helpful? Who knows but interesting read.

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Dave | 320 comments

Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

Arc lighting would have been with Carbon or Magnetite rods, which needed replacing pretty often. Carbon arcs are still used today in large spotlights, like SuperTroopers, because of the intensely bright light they emit. To view the arcs and their status on a SuperTrooper, you look through an extremely darkly tinted glass window because otherwise the light would be blinding. They can throw a tight, intense, focused spot about 50-60 yards or more. They’re fun to use! Can’t imagine them flickering though. But carbon and magnetite were used back then too, most often for streetlights, giving way by 1905 or so due to the maintenance required.

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Reply to Dave | 320 comments

1 month ago

Oh ok. Thanks for that overview. My study on this is limited for sure! That would make sense why you see arc light catalogs in the 19th century outside a lot. I wonder why it was said to be flickery in the factory. Maybe there was just a defect in their system.

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Dave | 320 comments

Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

Carbon arcs will flicker if the 2 arcs are too far apart, they’re adjustable for how much of a gap is between them; if too close they get dimmer. There were single arc lights for use inside, maybe they had some flicker.

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Reply to Dave | 320 comments

1 month ago

Imagine going from oil lamps and candles to gas lighting. Must have been so much easier to light a gas lamp than to worry about changing oils and wax drips etc. Then to go to that to a light bulb where there was solid Un-flickering light that could be brighter. Even though early bulbs I’m told usually were still only around 25 watts per bulb in rooms to compete with gas and were quite dark today to our standards. People still found them brighter and consistent it seems. Now we have LED Bulbs that turn on instantly and give off almost no heat and last much longer. Interesting how long the Edison bulb was around before a solid competitor came like LED. The florescent replacement of the Edison bulb is one I never went to, i never liked the light that came out of it and certainly didn’t trump the Edison bulb like the LED are. Though these are just my opinions. No data related.

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Reply to MJG | 6666 comments

1 month ago

Hear, hear! I can’t abide those fluorescent or anything close to them. Never mind that you needed a hazmat team if you broke one of those things. Progress…HMMPPFFF!

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https://www.796greenwich.com/

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Reply to Kirsten | 769 comments

1 month ago

Right. My whole family did those except me. My sister dropped one and yikes !

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Katie | 1 comments

1 month ago

Escape the bustle of the city and join us for some fresh air on this exquisite equestrian farm. Here you are met with a stunning 5 bed antique, attached horse barn, livestock barn and cottage all set upon 19 acres of land.

Built around 1850
Antique farmhouse
4167sqft
5 bedrooms
Attached barn
Detached livestock barn
Guest house
19 acres

796 Greenwich Rd, Hardwick, Massachusetts
$1,275,000

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https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3242-Norledge-Ave-Kansas-City-MO-64123/2286213_zpid/

1 month ago

Kansas City, MO, built 1885, (87?).Was $600K, before the HGTV style flip, now $2.2M:

Across the street:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Museum

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Reply to Tony Bianchini | 280 comments

1 month ago

Interesting house. Looking past the canned lighting and the HGTV style flip, as well as the trendy washed out effect of the photos, this house must have been a gem when it was built. It still has the potential to be back dated for those like myself who are looking to restore a home to its original date. Though it is sad the put the kitchen in a public room, meaning holes needed to be drilling into the floors and damage will need to be undone. The staircase is really nice. I would paint the outside a different color or have it stripped. Depending on what it was originally. I don’t want to see what it looked like before HGTV style flippers came in. I may be mad.

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