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TOMPKINS COUNTY Navigating A Sua Ot Ruso miens PUBLIC LIBRARY Title: Ithaca Author: Snodderly, Daniel R., Call LH-REF 974.771 number: Publisher: its Past and Ithaca, NY of : : and Architecture of the Downtown 1946- Society of Tompkins County, 1982., Ithaca Assigned Branch: Ithaca Collection: Local Material type: Book Number 100 pages The History Center Note: History DeWitt Historical Owner: of pages: the - - Tompkins Tompkins County County Public Library Public Library (TCPL) History (LH) in Tompkins County, who owns copyright, gave TCPL permission to digitize this October 2009. Digitization of 2009 this material was made possible with a grant from the Park Foundation the book, LH ^ 974.77 1 3? Snodderly, Daniel R. Ithaca and its past * TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY Ithaca. N.Y. I Tompkins County I Public Library Given in Memory of SEYMOUR NADELMAN by Mr. & Mrs. John Wilcox, Jr. Ithaca and Its Past Ithaca The and History and Its Past Architecture of the Downtown Daniel R. Snodderly DeWitt Historical of Tompkins Society County Ithaca, New York 1982 Copyright All rights reserved. thereof, must not by DeWitt Historical Except for brief be published reproduced 1982 by in quotations in any form from First Society the a of Tompkins review, this without County book, permission or parts in writing publisher. DeWitt Historical Society of Tompkins County International Standard Book Number 0-942690-00-1 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 82-70370 Printed in the United States Unless America illustrations, including those in the Henry Head Ralph Smith collections, come from the DeWitt Historical Society. otherwise and of indicated, the aV1' 83MW0NS COUNTY RJHJC LIBRAQ 112 NORTH CAYUGA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14830 Contents Preface 7 Early History 9 Architects and Architectural Styles 19 Glossary I. The Commons and Adjacent Areas DeWitt Park 21 22 Map II. 1.4 and Adjacent Areas Map 60 61 For More Information 95 Index 97 Preface Few today's of visitors the early 1970s the vacant areas and began to Out a whole. of these of Historic District fully compete town. establishment things), enabling Ithaca to other other shopping trusive their older Its Past buildings buildings. As removed, people signs the of areas to and a model for buildings will answer the of storefronts began and to many of downtown to area and many private owners repainted the and ob charm and charac them. Ithaca about questions the down other small cities. ask questions those of success the revive were notice as DeWitt Park the of public efforts at revitalization spurred renovate and the and as empty lots and developed in outlying vitally important to the city the imaginative development came Indeed, Ithaca has become These ter efforts (among with recently city's center was Ithaca Commons the to the as by marred being were that declining. In reaction, city officials in downtown development, realizing were a more active role health that the believe would area was centers revenues city take downtown Shopping stores. to Ithaca by focusing people who on have built the and inhabited them. The book begins brief a with history survey of the major section of the book is divided into two major areas area, and Included as architects downtown, of detailed information is buildings are although the parts given constructed as book can be early Ithaca architectural the Commons the 1980s. This information is tours, and of early dealing arranged most as The styles. area and for and a with brief main the two the DeWitt Park of the 1820s in the form buildings. the of and as late two walking read and enjoyed without taking the tours. The tours only be were seen on pedestrians, foot. The tours der described because Each tour takes for planned about the two are best information hours but they is and some portions appreciated sometimes can in the can or cumulative. easily be divided into 8 Preface Furthermore, shorter sections. be certain peripheral sections can From my own experience I the Commons tour passes many places for will warn you omitted. that, easily although DeWitt refreshment, the Park tour does not; the only such place on the latter is the DeWitt Mall at the beginning and end of the tour. Finally, remember that the of many buildings owners should A few be about find that I both historical privately owned, the privacy and the of respected. comments buildings are the individual either entries. important most and architectural reasons. or I've the selected interesting for most I deal mostly with buildings but occasionally with especially interesting buildings that no longer exist. I have used, by and large, the date construction was begun, rather than the date it was completed or the that still are standing, date occupancy began. Although I've tried very hard to verify surprised very done if some mistakes in local research information, I'd be didn't remain. Anyone who has ever knows how difficult it is to verify history all the information, especially dates. Local events, unlike events of national importance, were rarely deemed worthy of careful documentation, and what few original sources remain are often fragmentary or con In addition, buildings were often moved, added to, or completely rebuilt. To further complicate matters, the street tradictory. even numbering system Please feel free to has been bring changed any errors three times in Ithaca's to my attention, history. care of the publisher. Many have helped people especially Craig Williams and in my efforts, I thank them all, Joanne Volpe Florino of the DeWitt me and Historical Society, Jonathan Meigs of the city Department of Plan ning and Development, Sarah Hector, and Carol Sisler of Historic Ithaca. Two collections of information proved particularly useful: A Tour of DeWitt Park, Carol Sisler and published Walking a series of pamphlets written by by lished historic resources survey, Historic compiled Ithaca; mostly (director), Mary Donohue, Marjorie Hermanson, bie in 1978-1979 for the city planning and by and the mostly unpub Sarah Hector Margaret department. I'd also Hob- like to to David my Rash, John Harcourt, and Armand Adams for sharing information, to Joseph Terrell for preparing the Carl Koski to for his photographic work, and to Richard Romaps, express for providing design and production advice. Finally, I'd thank my wife Carol Oldfield for her support. senbaum like to appreciation Early History According by to an Iroquois legend, the Great Spirit pressing its theory claims that the actions valleys of central The Iroquois themselves Ice Age of of towns suppress and crops of area in the twelfth lake they and some raided Indians, gave their name to. American homes the Cayuga Lake. the army vice. more. of by Each promising them private was After the war, to and Ulysses the land grants of also area. In 1789 exchange return a around ceded) encouraged men land in for to join for their ser 600 acres; officers would receive of the former Iroquois lands lying east a portion million divided into 28 by the receive Seneca Lake (over 1.5 Tract fled (later legislature had state and General John sent to the state, in and a reservation money the war, the land allied His troops burned the 1779. most of whom their ceded small amount of During and thir or the Iroquois tribes of most the Indians in the the Cayugas officially north end of hills of years ago. towns. In retaliation, the American government Sullivan to more mundane glaciers carved the thousands the sides of the British with A earth. formed were thought, probably from the south. The Cayuga member of the Five Nations of the Iroquois, Revolutionary War, the to the to the New York came tribe, the youngest occupied land along both During hand New York tens teenth century, it is the Finger Lakes acres) townships. commissioners, what later became Tompkins town east of Tioga Street. In was designated Township number included the County and 1789 Albany all of Military 22, northern the resident a present named part of down Abraham Blood from the state a patent to 1400 acres here, including all of the present downtown west of Tioga Street. Around 1795 Sim eon DeWitt received 1000 acres of that land from Bloodgood, his good obtained father-in-law, in quired additional most of the exchange land until land between for he the services rendered, owned around hills. and he later 2000 acres, ac including 10 Ithaca Its Past and born in Ulster County in 1756, of Dutch ancestry. His father was a doctor and his mother the daughter of a mill owner. He attended Queen's College (now Rutgers) and later Simeon DeWitt joined the was Revolutionary Army Upon the death of the geographer-in-chief in he ceeded to that position; become surveyor general of 1784 until his death in buried where site of DeWitt As surveyor as an assistant geographer he had (surveyor). 1780, DeWitt only 24. He resigned the job to New York State, a position he held from was the Clinton House in 1834. DeWitt hoped long suc Place), but his body general, DeWitt build to was a home (near was moved to the Albany involved in border was first present in 1844. disputes with neighboring states^ in treaty negotiations with the Indians, and, of course, in laying out the Military Tract. He later helped promote and build the Erie Canal and served as chancellor of the state uni his time in Albany but kept in close touch with Ithaca through his local agent and through frequent visits. He surveyed the present downtown area into lots and sold them at modest prices. Many years after he died, the town honored him by DeWitt versity. spent most of changing the name of the Public Square to DeWitt Park. Ithaca's first non-Indian settlers arrived in two groups in the late 1780s. One group, consisting families, in originated other, consisting of from Kingston, Pa., It is Yaple, Hinepaw, and Dumond Kingston, N.Y., on the Hudson River; the of the McDowell on the not clear who came usual version, and Woodworth families, came Susquehanna River (near Wilkes-Barre). first. Most early histories agree that the Yaple-Hinepaw-Dumond group the the settled several members of here in 1789. According to the group came to Ithaca with larger party in the spring of 1788 to explore the area. In the spring of 1789, Jacob Yaple and his younger brother John, Peter Hinepaw, a and Isaac Dumond the flats. the site of returned to plant corn in the Indian clearings on They left John Yaple to mind the crops and returned to Kingston for their families, which they brought to Ithaca in the fall of 1789. In that year, Hinepaw built a cabin on Cascadilla Creek east of the present University Avenue (near the site of the Christian Science church). Yaple and Dumond built cabins at the foot of East Hill near the a grist mill on Cowdry House, 408 E. State. In 1791 John Yaple built Cascadilla Creek just east of Hinepaw's cabin; it was Ithaca's first industry. Some early histories settled here before claim that the McDowell- Wood worth the other group (in 1788-1789), while group others 11 Early History say later (in 1790-1791). In any event, the McDowell-Woodworth group have to seems Chemung, N.Y., the and that grew naturally in the swampy they brought in point cabin A little built to cattle near later, the junction present Jonathan Woodworth the a cabin near present Seneca his and junction Cayuga and family Buffalo of moved and streets. here Cayuga and streets. drawn in 1791, most of these settlers became illegal residents and were forced to relocate. Ironically, few of the Revolutionary War veterans settled on the land they drew. Many of them sold it to speculators, some several times; Unfortunately, by others were cheated In 1790 Ithaca had foot was on about East Hill. The of lost their land because they didn't activity had streets, where later 30 residents, By still later to State to the intersection moved the north branch to Aurora and of 1800s, the early the Tompkins House moved most of center of commercial and Cascadilla Creek. mercial center agents or were pay the taxes. or couldn't the the military when lots some hay already harvested. his family here and built moved of At valley. the winter on thereafter Robert McDowell Shortly a hay marsh from Kingston, Pa., to the area around to have come here in the summer to harvest moved and the of site of Tioga. Other industrial Six Mile Creek (which center Aurora Hotel, road was completed Jericho-Bath turnpike (a along the foot to Owego Owego (now War of 1812 Geneva and cut off the 1795, from Dryden usual for fertilizer), Ithaca became were the State) of to Ithaca. The of turnpike) When the in 1811. Nova Scotia center East Street in 1808. Turn completed supply of on filled in), the Catskill westward extension of passed through town along pikes in and developed on The first Seneca commercial its way to join Cascadilla Creek, and was later Fall Creek (the most important one), and the Inlet. Hill of com and the Ithaca centers ran at industrial activity located. The was State, them grouped the gypsum (used in Cayuga trade gypsum. In 1817, Tompkins Cayuga from the village The By 1821, counties. the Town had of County Ulysses the 1820. The when and formed from the Town the Village a population of about Cayuga Steamboat launched was first of Ithaca Ithaca was Seneca was and split off incorporated, 1000. Company was organized in 1819 and Cayuga Lake, the Enterprise, in the Erie Canal in 1825 (and of a canal steamboat completion of of parts of connecting Cayuga Lake to it) on opened trade routes to both Chicago Ithaca 12 the and 1834 Atlantic, Because of faster the town becoming 1836; for in a pitch route Its Past of the Ithaca-Owego Railroad in to the Susquehanna River transportation these of the opening and promised a and Ithacans had high hopes links, a major shipping example, a parcel and south. Speculation center. of reached DeWitt estate, the pur $5000 in December 1835, sold in July 1836 for over $50,000. The Depression of 1837 scuttled most of those high hopes, chased for under however, along but continued, Ithaca's of at a New York's Erie) considerably and or completed paper many terrain unique dreams, portation not with main another obstacle financial The location reverses. lines (the New York Central railroad Ithaca in the 1830s north and south of to these trans canal and railroad projects were either serious suffered Ithaca of growth slower pace. provided many fortunes. The 1840s and also and the impeded growth. In the 1850s, provided a new where it however, boost: loaded was further increased the aca to made where demand for event his fortune in active he Cornell in local shipment canal occurred boats on in the the telegraph of Cayuga Lake. 1850s: Ezra business, Cornell, returned to Ith "scientific" farm and pursue agriculture. affairs and was elected professor of Morrill Land Grant Act for coal mines Owego to Ithaca, north. The Civil War way to the young history White worked together to secure the met a and boats for on establish a model became by coal was shipped Another important having the Pennsylvania expansion of named state He legislature, Andrew D. White. proceeds of the university "where any person can find instruction in any In addition, Cornell gave $500,000 and 200 acres of his East Hill farm. Cornell University was chartered in 1865 and opened its doors in 1868. With the the 1830s other the post-Civil revived. industrial a new War New building railroads projects were boom were initiated. underway, the chartered Alas, and the Panic dream begun, of of and 1873, like these ventures. Ezra Cornell one, many himself died virtually bankrupt in 1874. Many other businesses, like the Ithaca Calendar Clock Company (1866), survived the panic, however. And a new group of success ful enterprises were founded in the 1880s and later, the earlier wiped out of including Ithaca Gun Another in 1892 Company (1883) the Morse Chain Company (1898). institution, Ithaca College, was founded the Ithaca Conservatory of Music (for more information major educational as and Early History 13 Ezra Cornell. see page 60). And Ithaca even period; the Wharton Studios As early as 1881, reincorporating as a city. After sition to the idea of the increased passed, tion and had Ithaca became risen to about a movie had begun role short here in the 1910s. discussing debate a the question little oppo of government, the law finally much city in 1888. 11,000. a industry for and others operated village officials of had By and not a this time, the popula Architects We don't know very Ithaca's buildings; often many readers will aware of and Architectural Styles much about the people who have designed don't even know their names. Although have heard of William Henry Miller, few will be the important we contributions made by A. B. Dale Baldridge. I have therefore drawn together information architects in the had designed For those at section least below, but I've two noteworthy brief survey of the most lowed by a short glossary. a common J. Lakin the on major only included those buildings unfamiliar with architectural or by who 1930. terms, I have also included nineteenth-century styles, fol Architects Ithaca's best-known ticed locally ings. Miller from 1871 was architect is William until about 1920 Henry Miller, and designed who prac over 70 build born in 1848 in Trenton, now Barneveld, N.Y. came to Cornell when it opened in 1868. He be (near Utica), and came the first student 1870. His downtown of architecture at structures Cornell, although include the DeWitt he left in Building (1912), 215 N. Cayuga; the Sage Block (1884), 137-139 E. State; the Stowell House (1880), 303 N. Aurora; the Dean House (1895), 306 N. Au rora; and Unitarian of the Baptist, Congregational (now Greek Orthodox), churches. He also designed the Clinton House in 1872. At Cornell House and the Second Empire alteration he did the A. D. White (1871), (1887), Uris Library (1888), Stimson Hall (1902), and Risley Hall (1911). He also designed many East Hill residences, including both Sage mansions (1877), and his own home, the Heller House (1876), 122 Eddy Street. He died in 1922. (For Barnes Hall information, see "A Guide to the Works of William Henry Miller, Ithaca's by Geoffrey Gyrisco.) We know less about Alfred B. Dale, an Englishman who appar- more Architect," Architects to Ithaca in 1845. came ently Born in Portsmouth, he became he followed for many carpenter, a trade 15 Architectural Styles and his years after arrival a here. After studying for a year with an architect in Albany, he returned to Ithaca and opened his own office in 1870. He designed many hand some buildings, including the Boardman House (1866), 120 E. Buf falo; the Griffin Block (1872), 224 E. State; the Bates Block (1872), 118-124 N. Aurora; the Gregg Block (c. 1872), 108-112 W. State; the Titus Block (1876), 123-125 W. State, now greatly altered; the Whiton House (1873), 212 S. Aurora; and the Lehigh Valley House (c. 1880), 801 W. Buffalo, now called simply the Valley House. Un fortunately, many of his buildings have been torn down, including the Ithaca Hotel (1871), 219-225 E. State; the Sprague Block (c. 1871), 147-151 E. State; the Journal Block (1872), 106-110 S. Tioga; and the Blood Building (1870), 109-113 N. Tioga (also called the Masonic Block). He died in 1910. A particularly interesting practiced from 1923 1892 but grew Cornell up in turned to Cornell became the to 1937. and J. Lakin the jail architecture studied which he received In 1924 he opened early 1930s Baldridge designed and who born in Cincinnati in was N.J. He Baldridge, at Navy, he re 1922, and then in 1915. After serving in the for his M.A., Neo-Georgian buildings house of Baldridge an assistant professor. late 1920s is that Jersey City, graduated and case downtown, including the in his own office. several In handsome county court the Cayuga Apartments (1930), 100 (both 1932); new W. Buffalo; and the Seneca Building (1928), 121 E. Seneca. He also did Thurston Court in Cornell Heights and several Cayuga Heights including his residences, own, which Cayuga Heights Road. After the ever, Baldridge stock in 1931; did little with felt he shouldn't money more. He then built time deep-sea information issue of The signed (1828), comes the of the was Hill, completed, a large Depression, he at 511 how amount of apparently away from those who needed the home in Bermuda and "spent much of a He died in London in 1969. (Most from Carol Sisler's the Historic Ithaca earliest courthouse Robin commissions fishing." his named He had inherited work. the worsening take he architect article of this in the Winter 1981 Newsletter.) of note first Clinton House is Ira Tillotson, (1828-30) 102 E. Court. In this period, and the architects who probably de Humphrey House rarely had formal training and they often served as builders as well. Tillotson seems to have been no exception. Born in Farmington, Conn., in 1783, he 16 Ithaca was the staff during Genoa 1809, son general who of a served His rise George Washington on academy. of . . He . to Ithaca in came builder architect and surveyor, in the hamlet s in the then far-famed was educated the avocations and adopted built had in the Aurora with marked success. and Its Past "He the Revolution. school and and He designed was rapid. Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed, First Methodist and churches [none of which remain], and many of the principal other the buildings in fices; the fact, in Tillotson held many local and in 1833 he town supervisor, where village served as concurrently and assemblyman. In 1836 he village moved he died in 1858. (Quotes from Initial Ithacans, to by of president, Michigan, Thomas W. Burns.) born in Warwick, Orange County, in 1850, farmer. After working as a carpenter for four years, he Alvah B. Wood the son of a studied was architecture at Cornell; he graduated 1875 in and began practicing that year. His downtown buildings include the Immacu late Conception Church (1896), 117 N. Geneva, and the house at 126 E. Seneca (1881), now the Town Hall. He also designed the first parochial school (1883), on West Buffalo (since destroyed by fire), several other houses one for J. W. Tibbetts on West State, including and several depots for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, including those in Ithaca (1898), Geneva (1892), and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. At the same time he was practicing architecture, Wood served as an insurance agent. Clinton L. Vivian 1861. His father was a worked for William Miller's office of Vivian Building to born in Boonville, N.Y. (north of Rome), in blacksmith. Vivian came to Ithaca in 1882 and was Henry form Miller as an apprentice. In 1892 he left partnership with Arthur N. Gibb. The firm Gibb designed the Tompkins County Trust Company (1895), 110 N. Tioga; the commercial at 134-136 a and building E. State (1892); the Lyceum Block (1898), 10.5-111 S. Cayuga, since demolished; and several houses, including the one at 407 N. Cayuga (1895). In Renwick (now Stewart) Park, they designed the old Cas cadilla School boathouse now much altered, and the main (1894), pavilion complex (1895), of which the former restaurant and conces At Cornell they did Sibley Dome (1901). After the firm dissolved in 1900, Vivian designed the Williams House (1905), 306 N. Cayuga, his most impressive the sions pavilions remain. work; tion of the Clinton House after the Building (1909), 208-210 E. fire State; of the 1901; the renova Pritchard-Jackson double house at 403 N Architects Tioga/202 E. Court and (1902); 17 Architectural Styles the Methodist (1916), 208 E. Court; the commercial buildings at 116 E. State (1901) and 121 W. State (1901); the old South Hill School (1907), 110 Columbia; and a number of other residences. mation comes Vivian died in 1930. (Most from David Rash's the Historic Ithaca parsonage article of this infor in the Summer 1981 issue of Newsletter.) Arthur N. Gibb in Ithaca for nearly 60 years mayor. Born in Quebec City in practiced served as an alderman and and also 1868, he his early education in Canada and Switzerland. He grad from Cornell in architecture in 1890. After working for Wil received uated liam Henry Miller, he opened an office with Clinton L. Vivian in 1892 (see the Vivian entry above for buildings designed by the firm of Vivian and Gibb). When that firm dissolved in 1900, Gibb ticed alone and was later with different partners, the best known prac of which Oman H. Waltz (see below). As architect, Gibb sole designed the Wanzer Block (1905), 302 E. 326-328 E. State; the Leonardo Hotel (1904), 105-107 N. Aurora; and the current Central School (1930), 302 W. Buffalo, originally Boynton Junior High School. He State; the Eagles practiced until Building (1928), his death in 1949. Oman H. Waltz to Ithaca came general superintendent of Daily William Journal described him at from Elmira in 1901 Henry that time Miller's as "one office. of to serve as The Ithaca Elmira's most prominent The firm of Gibb and Waltz designed the Citizens Savings Bank Treman, King Building (1922), 101-107 E. State; the Crescent Theater (1916), 215-217 N. Aurora; the Masonic Temple (1926), 115 N. Cayuga; the Elks Club (1916), 139 W. State; the old YMCA Building (1908), 202 E. Buffalo, de stroyed by fire; the old Central School (1922), 322 N. Albany, now the Greater Ithaca Activities Center; and Rand Hall (1911) at Cornell. They also designed the conversion of the Wilgus Block, 153-159 E. Building (1924), State, into the molished 114-118 N. old Tioga; Rothschild's the Building (1913-1914), which was de in 1975. Architectural Styles At least sixteen clearly differentiated styles can be seen downtown, describe here only the seven most common styles of the nineteenth century. (No eighteenth-century buildings remain.) You but I will Ithaca 18 notice the clearest the elements of two styles several combine will were will built Some buildings during a transition or exhibit Furthermore, many buildings later time, often in a different style. ments. a only few difficult probably (most notably Federal consecutive styles Revival), indicating they much more however, mentioned. characteristics be tend to Even the best examples, categorize. exhibit all buildings provide Commercial structures, style. of a particular examples rowhouses, and multifamily to Its Past single-family houses usually freestanding that will and will show Greek and Others period. obvious not style ele to were altered or added at a flourished in the early decades after the Revolu tion (1780-1820). Doors were frequently flanked by narrow sidelights and topped by fanlights. Columns and moldings were usually deli The Federal style and other exterior cate, plans were doors, with formal, a the gable end The Greek Revival Its in most impressive a examples, front. The was full gable away from the transoms Federal buildings fre street. in the 1830s style was most popular examples end featured frequently and above Floor a minimum. the low classical faced symmetrical. the street, Other doors, bold but 1840s. temple front, for and elements simple and In pediment. pediment or returns substituted usually formal lasters, of to symmetrical arrangement of windows and which massive columns supported a est kept were The facades simple. generally quently featured decorations more mod the temple facade the included frieze and moldings, pi windows. The Gothic Revival features characteristic and were in the 1840s the pointed 1850s. Its and arch on windows and most doors, but towers, battlements, and other castle-like abounded, as did window tracery and (in frame build the steep roof, elements also ings) to style peaked trim. The term wooden describe Gothic Revival a ate gingerbread eaves porch, house building sometimes made of wood that has used elabor trim. The Italianate typical Carpenter Gothic is style would supported by and perhaps a hoods reached have its peak in the 1850s low-pitched decorative brackets, a bay window. roof topped ornate The floor and by window plan was 1860s. A a cupola, hoods, usually a square. decorative brackets were also used on com mercial buildings, the facades of which were often made of cast iron. A similar style known as Italian Villa featured a tall tower usually attached to an L-shaped building. The window and Architects and The Second Empire style, tured the mansard roof the lower slope being (a The Romanesque style, round squat arches, The Queen Anne 1880s line floor and a plan, rough in the 1870s prominent porches, Readers seeking and textures, ends, bay 1880s, featured and forms. and massive stone It flourished in the tower, decorative corner gable sides, hoods, of window variety style was above all eclectic. ornamented stories, slopes on all exposed 1890s. Characteristic features included and 1870s, fea and porches and wings. popular columns, two a steep), including projecting surfaces, in the 1860s popular roof with quite 19 Architectural Styles irregular an on shingles stained windows, roof- upper and glass, often with spindlework. information more should Identifying consult American Architecture: A Pictorial Guide to Styles Terms, and 1600- 1945, Second Edition (American Association for State and Local His tory, 1981), by John J.-G. Blumenson; American Architecture Since 1780: A Guide to the Styles (MIT Press, 1969), by Marcus Whiffen; What Style Is It? (Preservation Press, c. 1977), by John Poppeliers and others; and, especially for local applications, Historic Preserva tion in Tompkins County (Tompkins County Department Plan of ning, 1977). Glossary bracket other a of a roof; under element projection); often more cornice top dentils dormer support a building a series of the (or along usually the or wall block-like roofed an eyebrow roof functional than molding, a of eaves decorative horizontal projecting the projections structure dormer is a housing low, forming a a molding on window curved dormer in a sloping the general shape of an eyebrow fanlight over a frieze frieze door the or window or area of a window nice or gable the the in window usually set a pediment facade just below the small eaves; also fan-shaped or semicircular a horizontal cornice or eaves window just below the cor called an eyebrow window triangular wall segment at the end of a double- pitch roof hood molding mansard roof see window a roof that hood has two slopes on all exposed sides, Ithaca 20 the lower slope being and Its Past steep; the quite of Second either carved feature key Empire buildings a continuous molding into or applied Palladian window a surface; see also three-part a central part and arched, triangular a pediment in the to classical style; element used over a partial a pilaster to attached in returns horizontal sides of sidelight gable also, door, column window a facade the similar window, (or a larger, usually rectangular side parts above any hood with window flanking is that of triangular a building (or curved) or niche flat representation of one) a wall Greek Revival houses continuation of the gable a usually decorative band the without a temple cornice a short front, distance on the both end window at the side of a door or another window; narrow hood large molding over a window or other open ing, originally designed to direct water away from the opening; also called a window head, a hood molding, and a drip molding window a I. The Commons As early 1950s, Ithacans the Adjacent Areas and expressing concern about the deterioration of the downtown area, and in 1963 the city established the Urban Renewal Agency. Unfortunately, during the 1960s such as buildings important Hall, tained the Cornell as the Ithaca Hotel and by action however. In were and others saved the Commons of ramps, and spurred buildings. Storefronts their and restored, old facades City old protest and sus the Clinton Agency aided Commons, the new Completion details the addition, the Urban Renewal ing of the Woolworth store, the Building, the sorely needed parking renovate down. Public torn were Historic Ithaca (Public) Library, House, in the build Rothschild's Center Ithaca. many individual owners to were painted and architectural and signs were and Tioga by replaced new, more compatible ones. The Ithaca Commons (1974). State tirely local funds, with conceived project the Commons is has that an imaginative Ithaca's revitalized streets. Built and commercial en well- center. The award-winning design was done by Anton J. Egner and Asso ciates, with Marvin Adelman as landscape architect. It provides for a wide a of variety fountain, varied activities, an both planned and arrangements and seating children's popular especially plantings, and unplanned, play area, covered features ample pavilions, and and a small amphitheater. The idea sions, was of a but only downtown with real progress from a wide Funding York, of At an people, suggested on several occa Edward early stage, including Conley as mayor planners the in 1971 solicited business input community, and private citizens. ~-~-. the required an 20-year of had been election of made. range public agencies, the mall bonding, Ithaca's lead. The Commons, the amendment and cost this first such pedestrian to existing action has state enabled mall in New legislation to other cities (over $1,000,000) has been split to permit follow between the 22 Ithaca and Its Past Joseph Te, The Commons The Commons in 1975, private and 23 Adjacent Areas looking west from Tioga Street. (Courtesy Anton J. and public and Egner Associates, Architect.) sectors, with the city paying 15 percent, and property owners, through the establishment of a special tax district, paying 85 percent. To spread the cost fairly, this tax district was divided into for property on the a lower one for property within 250 feet (that the distance from the Commons increases). two categories, Commons itself, and rate also decreases as with a higher rate The Commons is only the latest of many changes that have af fected State Street, which has been the commercial center of Ithaca since 1842 burned many of the State Street between Aurora and Tioga. Then in 1871, the 1820s. buildings on Major fires in 1840 and Ithaca's largest fire destroyed buildings in the rora Street the north, on the on the east, Six Mile Creek and west. the middle of Eleven buildings the on bounded by Au the south, State Street 100 block were area of destroyed; on East State Street the loss was over 24 Ithaca and $200,000. The downtown began to several and ever, this period, the of handsome brick buildings date from Andrus Block, 143 E. State, and the Grif fin Block, 224 E. State. Center Ithaca (1980-1981). Tioga plex of some of to last the cupies it as develop Stahl and be that can and shops. material. novative by finally Rogers succeeded. opened to allow The facade financial four-story in late 1981. opened by The Cortland in of Boston. The of The city State. This for the city urban combines association access It oc renewal, to with an Selig- Perry, Dean, doors glass interior Colorlith, granite and Stanley and Werner architects were building features large for easy com developers have tried several but local businessmen Scot McRobb Associates and mann cleared 1967. Since then, as early and apartments land piece of this site, have Goldberg and offices, shops, immediately, how rebuild almost most the including Its Past courtyard a synthetic. developers in putting together an in which included a partial loan guarantee the aided package, the Farmers Home Administration and an Urban Development Action Grant. Previous buildings this site included the Sprague Block, the Wilgus Block (later converted into the old Rothschild's Building), and the Journal Block. The Sprague Block (c. 1871) stood next door to the Andrus Block (where Home Dairy is) and was designed by on A. B. Dale. Next door to the Sprague Block, on the southwest corner and Tioga, stood the Wilgus Block (1868). Brothers John M. an and architect, Wilgus Block Wilcox Henry the on Porter of State Wilgus, Wilgus, a real estate dealer, built the of Dwight Tavern, an early "publick L. house." site Buffalo designed the building. The Wilgus Opera House, seating 1600 people, occupied the third and fourth floors. Retail stores occupied the first floor, offices the second. The house opera ceum until and was of Ithaca's main entertainment center until the Ly built on South Cayuga Street in 1893. From 1894 1911 (except for occasional years), the Ithaca of Music Theater was Conservatory occupied the second and third floors of the Wilgus Block. Behind the Wilgus Block on South Tioga Street was the Journal Block (1872), also designed by A. B. Dale. The Ithaca Journal built it and remained schild's later there until remodeled it moved building. All three buildings 1975. to its present the Journal Block were torn site in 1905. Roth and occupied down for the whole urban renewal in The Commons and 25 Adjacent Areas r The Wilgus Block, center, flanked Andrus Block, and the Sage Block, Block on the right around 1909. on Tioga Street is the Journal Block. Only by the Sprague Block, Directly behind the Andrus and the the Wilgus Sage blocks remain. Rothschild's Department Store (1975). 215 E. State. Jacob Roth schild began his business, then called the Boston Variety Store, in 1882 in the Griffin Block, 224 E. State. Later his brothers Daniel and Isaac joined him. Jacob had come to America from Russian Poland at the age of from Syracuse Wilgus Block, nal Block for remodeled company architects 12. He began his In 1889 Rothschild's to Binghamton. and later the firm more space. the Wilgus Block remained there the moved purchased and remodeled road to the the Jour 1913-1914 Rothschild's extensively In by until career as a peddler on replacing the the Warner, Burns, Toan, move and roof and to this site. walls, and New York Lunde designed the the City present building. The current store stands where the Ithaca Hotel once stood. Built three-story wood building burned down in 1871. It was rebuilt as a four-story brick building in 1872, however, and remained a favorite hostelry until torn down for urban first in 1809 by Luther Gere, the O-MWNS COUNTY WJWC OMAIt 312 NORTH CAYUGA STRUT ITHACA. NEW YORK 14190 Ithaca 26 and Its Past The Ithaca Hotel in 1935 (since demolished). At the far right is the old Roth schild's Building, an extensive renovation of the Wilgus Block. (From the Henry Head Collection.) in 1967. Designed renewal date 200 175 guests and the and sample by A. B. diners, Dale, the hotel Griffin Block (1872). 224 E. State. This fine architecture William H. Griffin, his office front, firm bay, terior Saltonstall of houses a called tionary and soda named after and an early occupied operated and insurance brickwork Romanoff floor. They Simeon's, shop that to its retained example of A. B. Dale by councilman and and elaborate the ground bar city designed building has here. The copper of a was its "billiard and also advertised look like operated the the In 1974 the exterior first floor, the Goodie the 1920s. and from the in the basement for Naughton-Brown 1930s at until least 80 1973. A in now which Shop, Simeon space by had agent who and cornice. here in built and original cast-iron store rehabilitated restored Italianate a confec (Simeon's is DeWitt, surveyor general of New York developer of Ithaca.) The Browning, King clothing the and Dutch Kitchen. popular commercial could accomo State store barbershop has rebuilt after fire years. Building (possibly before 1866, in 1870s). 220-222 E. State. The Naughton Brothers grocery was here in the 1890s. Emil Kohm operated a tailoring business here from at least 1910 to 1946, when John Lewton succeeded him. Lewton's The Commons The Griffin Block, with part subsequently developed into building was renovated by a the third in the first-floor room of around the turn of the famous the the 1880s, but most it was floor, and a pressed-metal 222. The fourth floor Chester Piatt's. Platt wasn't until a preacher. the left. ceiling was added century. he supposedly invented overheated on and women's 216 E. State (1956). Several drugstores have but Building clothing store. Claire Lewton in the 1970s. It has men's by 27 Carl Koski, 1981.) round-headed windows on and walls Adjacent Areas Naughton-Brown the of (Photograph The and hot the ice Cornell summer cream dish students occupied opened Sunday called his store in in the 1890s that the reportedly this site, sundae soon for spread an its fame. Pritchard- Jackson Building (1909). 208-210 E. State. Designed by Ithaca 28 Its Past and No. 46 STATE ITHACA, STREET, NEW - YORK, DEALER IN House Furnishing & Builders Hardware [0tt, Sftttl, Uil0, Mechanics' Tools, Carriage Trimmings, Agricultural GLASS, WE ABE ALSO GENERAL AGENTS FOR PAIEBANK8' And for SCALES, several Fint-Clau i COOKING STOVES. PARLOR manufacturers of Every Description Tin, of Copper & Sheet Iron Ware. Onr Stock will at all times be found complete, and oar prices as low the as market will afford. Clinton L. Vivian, this Neo-Classical Charles F. Blood, a merchant and real grocery stood at century. estate 210 from the. early 1880s constructed was Rumsey frieze the turn until after building since it was built Only out Pelton. It is quantities of nails War. John's 1962, the he became and spikes brother, Charles him, became until occupied said a partner after which ond-story projecting metal ceilings over the the over a businesses have century ago to house two Rumsey's hardware. Before that, McCormick's hardware Pelton's hardware of windows covered with grills. Block (c. 1873). 206 E. State. this by developer. The Jackson Note the five pilasters, the decorated keystones windows, and the occupied building spot. a rich man when just J. In 1858 John prior to the he then and Rumsey bought purchased outbreak of large the Civil had been working for in 1876. The company remained in business Rumsey, who the Outdoor Store bay, the corbeled in. Note the moved frieze, and in the first- and second-floor rooms. the sec pressed- The fourth floor The Commons Adjacent Areas and 29 The Cornell Library, with part of the Blood Building on the right, around 1960 (since demolished). A handsome cupola on the library had been removed. (From the may have been the rear first Collection.) the initial added after the wall, Head Henry three construction. of which stories are Also notable is composed of cut stone. First Bank in 1864 as office at of Building (1932). the First National Bank 136 E. State. Nine of 202-204 E. State. Organized Ithaca, later it years this bank its opened first the Merchants merged with Farmers Bank (organized in 1838). Richard Metzger designed and this Art Deco polished and Ithaca building, granite, and which has is ornate covered in Indiana limestone entrances decorated with and marble bronze. dry James Morrison's 1880s, later came goods C. A. Whelan's United Cigar Store. (In the cigar factories, but 1890s drove (on Tioga at them nineteenth facility Seneca), a out of was stood cigar the introduction most of The drive-in store built here in factory, 1870s the and still century, Ithaca later had and the several of ready-made cigarettes in the business.) on free county the site library of the Cornell begun in 1863 Library with funds donated by Ezra Cornell. The auditorium, Library Hall, hosted many lectures and meetings, including Cornell University's inau gural ceremony and many Cornell commencements and lectures. Famous lecturers included Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Louis Agassiz, and James Russell Lowell. The building was torn down in 1960. Ithaca 30 The Citizens Savings Bank County Trust the Finch Block. Also torn down on the left hy the Tompkins County Clerk's Office Building, and part (Photograph by Carl Koski, 1982.) the the Blood was Its Past Building, flanked Company Building, of and Building next door (sometimes Built in 1870, it had been designed early home of T. G. Miller's. the Masonic Block). Dale and was an Citizens Savings Bank in 1868 office as the Ithaca Savings in the In 1878 it (The first rear of moved Woodcock to its present House, previously tore Bank, down the the site, the this institution bank, which was home of on its first opened East State Street. then occupied Ezra Cornell's son to build a by the Alonzo. Ezra had died in this house in house A. B. 114-118 N. Tioga. Founded Obadiah Curran's drugstore president of The bank Building (1924). by called 1874.) large three-story brick The Commons and Adjacent Areas building, designed by William Henry Miller, burned, structure features The bank has Waltz and windows. entrance and to and was in 1935 in and adopted left has been has Palladian brackets Clerk's the to cornice, the door, and an have were of the main 110 N. Tioga. the Ithaca Trust Com The Company doorway on the The building also original window. Corinthian pilasters, and spot for and elaborate motifs the occupied this spot, their bookstore here in the 1870s to this and century, starting Company has the County from at occupied the brackets under first-floor windows the corbeled the tall over circular grills above 106 N. Tioga. The almost a Trust County and pilasters. Many bookstores it and Corner Book Store. In the 1860s moved left arched National Bank (founded County Finch Block (1868). 158 E. State. shops and The Ithaca Trust arched least 1949. Note sunburst the 1891. for Building (1863). least 1851. The Tompkins at structure current name. this office occupied from columns Gibb by roof. Clerk's Office building designed to the area After that office. in windows, Ionic the an the Tompkins converted under County with was Company Building (1895). organized merged 1836) renovated Gibb designed this which pany, in 1887. fluted Ionic massive Trust County built. It one was the 1868 resemble Tompkins Vivian the present 31 Finch 1880s. Taylor and and stationery early home Finch Dudley spot. an was and and of the J. B. Taylor Apgar booksellers Carpenter sold books stationery from at least 1899 to at least 1910. In 1911 the Corner Book Store was incorporated here although it left in 1923. Later and Sharing Book Store. Note the elaborate cast-iron window hoods (two kinds) and the rope moldings around the windows of this came Profit Italianate building. Krum an Building (1850s unusual a of decoration: recessed and brickwork between the 1851). In the 1930s building. Note glass-tile storefront was added to this rated stone lintels above 150 E. State (1860s). over a century. gangs of 148, has third 152 E. State (between 1840 for building 1860s). 154 E. State. This floors; and above the third-floor windows, horizontal design, and a diagonal brick pattern. second and arch, variety or the Dry It is also faint Art Deco the deco windows. goods or said clothing stores have been here building was constructed by The building is very similar to that the inmates from Auburn Prison. especially the Italianate an a window hoods and cornice. m txun ramm menu] txKtnf J23:tnf ratrr COLLI U_ tm\ euro oatn nutn i 4-1 c aon ilui entail rata '.ten LD* c o armagi til i o lo.lt>ll: LL (Li ca com fcOi 3 o U 05 fcfc </> -< eS c*> 3 o .2 g be w *- t-tH o T3 P -t-> C/) <D es O UJLXJCEI cqLdPU F== L-Uixjcqi -g pqcxupqi lUP3lLai cqcqra cqpqcai uqirjcn oo o Oi *^ The Commons 146 E. State (between 1840 were shutters 1971. The is supported 142-144 E. State (c. frieze windows and sills. of the Adjacent Areas and 1851). The to this Italianate added cornice and small by and around 16 brick brackets. by ornate The Grand Union Tea balconies building commercial 1850) This brick Greek covered 33 grills cast-iron Company Revival was and here building stone has lintels the turn around century. 134-136 E. State (c. 1892). Robert A. Heggie his jewelry business in the 1870s; later his brother Willis joined him. They probably moved to this building when it opened. The business re in the mained family than its neighbors, 1960. This until with elaborate fourth floor. It was ative was building friezes opened is rather more ornate double and pilasters on the designed by Vivian and Gibb and built by the West Brothers to house their shoe store. 130-132 E. State (1840s). The Quigg dry goods store operated here from the 1850s until the 1890s. Bool's furniture store, a cooper venture, fourth floor, dormer here from added after by is topped the 126-128 E. at least 1929. The a mansard roof with first floor here from State. operated four 1883, in the Ithaca stores and it is topped and slate shingles of Brooks Block was two used by and at C. one an business Whaley time The fourth floor area. It is Pharmacy the until a mansard roof with shapes. as Brooks 1890 around dissolved in 1978. The firm, founded by A. and later known as Gauntlett and Brooks, after to five windows. Brooks Block (1840s). cupied 1883, least 1901 at said alternate that stop a on trench the was in 1850 owned was dormer oc and added windows behind the Underground Railroad. Hawkins Block (between 1840 goods store has occupied this Morrison, Hawkins, Finch, and spot since and 1851). 120 E. State. A dry 1858. Owners have included Todd (in various combinations). The tenant, Irv Lewis Men's and Boy's Wear, was founded in 1905 by Jacob Lewis, a tailor from New York City, to sell work present clothes. third It reached generation of location in 1946, and is being run by the Lewis family. The corporation also owns Hol- this the ley's (founded 1929), Parajay's, and the Clothes Horse. The building has decorated lintels on the third and fourth stories and an elaborate^ cornice. 116 E. State (c. 1901). Clinton L. Vivian designed this building for D. W. Burdick of White and Burdick's drugstore. The drugstore Ithaca 34 and Its Past The 100 block of East State Street (north side), looking east from Cayuga, around 1930. On the left is the Baldini Building; three buildings to the right of it is the Grant Block. (From the Ralph Smith Collection.) and stayed spot ing probably from the Grant Block next door, around 1901 until it closed in 1932. The Alhambra Hotel occupied this here, moved from the 1860s the arches and until at arched windows above Grant Block (also known State. The first in 1811 though bined on the Floros this the village the hall, village three-story project them. Block) (1851). 108-114 E. Grant's Coffee House, built Jesse Grant and his son. Al voting place, and the site was a when town of rebuilt each and council Ithaca were time. Grant's chamber com incorporated in every municipal officer for the years 1821-1832 was there. About that time, Grant and Company stagecoach lines 1821. In elected building as tavern, and operated by twice destroyed by fire, it was as as served least 1899. Note fact, The Commons had its ran 35 Adjacent Areas there too. (The Catskill office 1808, in and down State Street turnpike, which reached Ithaca its way from the Hudson River to on Bath.) From the 1910s to the 1930s Peter Floros his operated candy- confectionary store in this building. Another well-known business was A. H. Platts and Company, a cigar manufacturer that and making had its beginnings in 1863 in the 1880s. It 40 as time, and produced Pluma," "La Other businesses included White (1870s-1890s), Chipman's furniture Normandie Restaurant (1940s and Building (also known E. State. Two families, the Baldini as and "Our Club store s and drugstore (1890s-1920s), and the 1950s). Block) (c. the McWhorter McWhorters this Renaissance Revival owned of one section Burdick' Rooms." 102 four floors cigar-makers at one "Ultimatum," famous brands such and occupied all building for the and most 1860s). Baldinis, have of its existence. McWhorter's grocery had its beginnings in the 1860s. Later came Blackman Brothers grocery, Endicott Johnson Tannery Shoe Store, and the occupant, Williams current William Baldini cast-iron its since window founding hoods (some in Shoes, owned and operated in 1949. The the form of by features building brackets pediments), hoods, and an ornate cornice. Treman, King Building (also known as the Montgomery Ward Building) (1922). 101-107 E. State. In the early 1840s, Leonard Tre man (grandson of Abner Treman, founder of Trumansburg) worked supporting the at sills and here. With his brother Lafayette, he in 1844. In 1849 they took in their brother Elias, cousin Leander R. King, to form Treman, King and Pelton's hardware bought and the store in 1857 their Company. The first store store was a three-story wood structure, but later four-story brick building was erected. It burned in 1921 and was Waltz. replaced by the present one, which was designed by Gibb and Note the Chicago-style windows (two small windows flanking a large a one). The firm Ward moved in of Treman, King dissolved in 1944. Montgomery during the 1940s and stayed until the 1970s. Colonial Building (c. 1830). 109-113 E. State. Still a handsome building despite its abbreviated columns, the Colonial began life as the Bank on of Ithaca around the Commons. 1830, That bank which makes merged with it the building oldest the Tompkins County Bank in 1849, however, and left the building. The Post Office oper and bakery, ated here from 1882 to 1910. Fred Atwater's grocery founded in 1886 on North Aurora, occupied the premises from the Ithaca 36 The Treman, the Lyceum King Block, Building. On the the Lyceum and 1910s had until the 1952. The the original wings the from later. In 1934 across the Colonial Building. On the right, the Jamieson the McKinney Block, temple-style Greek Revival the the recessed when stairs lower on sections of building either the Post Office stairs removed. side moved Atwater the Ionic in, added columns storefront extended. Probably built for glass panels on the front. Matching J. C. Penney's, which building features black ornamental panels flank the street, this Art Deco sign area. 119-121 E. State (1940). Glazed tiles horizontal window) by and Hall Annex. with 115-117 E. State (1936). Carrara City was closed off and were removed and moved left, stairway to basement stores. In 1882, basement the two Its Past Theater, exterior a central leading and mark Richard Metzger, Building and and glass this Art Moderne who also designed brick (in building. It a recessed the First Bank may have done the Art Moderne designed was of storefront at Ithaca 132-134 W. State. Earlier buildings here have included the Osborn Block (Robert C. Osborn operated a from 1891 and to 1930) candy and stationery shop Deming Hall. 123-131 E. State (1940). The handsome tile roof on this on this site building is The Commons When You Adjacent Areas and Ready are 37 Purchase to STOVES, TINWARE AND ALL KINDS OF HOUSE FURNISHING GOODS, And want to secure the BEST GOODS for the least go money, to TREMAN, KING & CO'S Hardware Store. reminiscent of two- and in brick the Spanish Revival three-window groups (The first floor color. S. S. Kresge's built this CVS bought the from the 1880s and a the Army and owners the second the alternation floor, and of the change house to a five and the 1920s. Navy Store, remodeled installed the also originally divided into two stores.) and new 1940). The moved this from building large one-story false front (which Block), Note dime store, and in 1969. Barr Brothers hardware was at 127 State (between 1930 135 E. Harold's was structure building until on style. storefront, also present next door (133 E. State) in 1978. extended and added occupant, They removed across the Sage the shutters on the second story. The Tompkins became Panic of County Bank was founded on this spot in 1836; it bank in 1866. The bank reportedly survived the 1857 when local businessman Josiah B. Williams rolled a a national wheelbarrow depositors full of gold that the bank and was silver solid. into the building In 1935 the bank to convince merged with Ithaca 38 The Colonial the Ithaca Trust pany and moved Company to that and Building before form to Its Past bank's 1883. the Tompkins quarters on County Trust Com North Tioga. Sage Block (1884). 137-139 E. State. Ithaca's best-known tect, William Henry Miller, designed this building in archi a variation of distinguished by ornate terra between windows. For much of his the Renaissance Revival style; it is cotta decoration career chanics on the Miller had his office and in this building, Society. From the 1920s to the count store occupied ing frieze the front, cleaned the of the city, brick, and did the Ithaca Me 1970s, J. J. Newberry's dis first floor. McDonald's in 1977. At the urging story false as they built renovated removed a the build large a new storefront. one- The Commons The 100 block and Adjacent Areas East State Street (south side) in 1939, of 39 looking from east mid-block. Andrus Block (1871). 143 E. State. A printing business underwent a occupied newspaper, a he paper the weekly and a partner. and the site for 100 years, although it changes. The firm had its array of name when Jonathan Ingersoll founded Ithaca's first called the Seneca Republican. In 1816 to Ebenezer The Mack, a name was changed paper was sold young printer in 1833. out the firm had Monitor, had mill. a paper took in as partner necticut. Ithaca's first established chased The firm 1817 to the Ithaca Journal in 1823 after published or from Owego, it began publishing the paper, Mack's firm into other areas that were to become its main business. Soon and publishing around bewildering beginnings in 1815, sold this remarkable a print shop A bookstore William Andrus, purchased this book, a site By 1820, Ephraim Reed's Musical and also was branched bindery, opened. and had pur In 1824 Mack traveling bookseller from Con in 1831. Andrus continued the 40 Ithaca business William son 1869, forming a the structure, with a print present milk and the the in and and bindery after which owner, Home donut after came and went), his father's death in William A. Church. When with 1871, Andrus shop partners Church built the in the Their rear. a fire current partner his printing busi Sprague Block (since demolished). 1929, until door to ness next The building it continued partnership destroyed ship lasted Its Past Mack died in 1849 (various after Andrus's and and shop; the Dairy, Church was moved founded in 1929 cafeteria was added original cast-iron storefront was altered later. At to the butter as a some point, present wood and front. Note especially the golden-oak signboard with gilt letter ing, the decorated stone blocks that flank the front, the arched win glass dows, the and stone globes at each end of the cornice. An alley between the Andrus Block and Center Ithaca leads to parking lot and Green Street. South Tioga Street begins again, for brief Hickey's Music Store (1959). as a beyond Green. stretch, worked a a clerk and a music 201 S. teacher Tioga. Joseph F. before opening Hickey a guitar, banjo shop on State Street in 1892, the same year the mandolin, Ithaca Conservatory began. The store moved to the Lyceum Block and on South Cayuga Street ler's) before and has the corner and the a and then to the Eagles coming here in 1959. It large now specializes in Mil sheet music business. Joseph Esty's tannery occupied (southwest corner) from the 1820s until 1871, mail-order opposite village Building (now built a farmer's market on one of the other corners in 1824. Woolworth Department Store (1967). 115 E. Green. This was the opened first successful urban renewal project its first Ithaca branch on State Street in the city. building Woolworth before 1910. foundry begun in sometime Earlier, Reynolds and Lang, a machine shop and the 1860s, occupied part of this site. The Forest City engine was its best-known product. steam traction Hall (1939). 108 E. Green. The city bought this Art Deco building from the New York State Electric and Gas Company in 1964. That company had begun in 1852 as the Ithaca Gas Light City Company, later, a private concern Sage formed by Henry Sage and others. One group (with many of the same people) formed the Ithaca Water Works Company. The two companies were eventually combined, and in 1900 the gas and water company added year and another The Commons electric an 1903, over the in water works because here three presidents houses do built were simple stone City in store shop that stood occupied the block The and as a entire building current was (The east. two other as mirror son, built Greek Revival images.) house, as and sills. bought the Tremans 1844, machine Williams. The fieldstone house Hall Annex (1916). 123 S. Cayuga. Sometime hardware their lintels this mark President's Row Timothy houses Ferrises, father the the gable ends returns at the by and two moved as Green Ithaca had lived in homes of the row, this later who south side of known once the Village of member of Horace Mack, The was Benjamin Ferris, Horace Mack, only remaining by Geneva and and 1904.) Wilkinson House (1840). 115 W. Green. The between Cayuga 41 Adjacent Areas (After two typhoid epidemics, in 1894 company. the city took and this on site. In fact, for the they bought after foundry the and Treman businesses at one point. was constructed electric and gas com lions' pany but the now houses county to the attached chains heads supporting The fourth floor was added Note the offices. marquee. later. Jamieson has building of a McKinney handsome Designed windows. signs and Frederick E. Brown by style changes buildings, 1873 until it has 1962, when were the here from business of plate-glass it Scranton, it is larger than a rough from floor to floor. Jamieson plumbing suppliers, large storefront with cast-iron the Second Renaissance Revival: Renaissance Revival and Block (c. 1898). 115-121 S. Cayuga. This finish, McKinney, and the the and by earlier window plumbers founding company's was purchased shows A. L. Hull in and moved. The 1830s, current occupant, the although not at D. D. Spencer this Corner Book Store, dates back to the site. established a According bookstore to more a local history than 50 Finch. Finch joined 158 E. State (corner and the Finch Block of with State was and J. B. Taylor and moved Tioga). After that built in its back in. Around 1873 Finch formed place a new (1868), sold the 1883, earlier. years Around 1860 George W. Apgar bought it but he later Dudley of it to store to building burned the partnership store with moved George Apgar. In the early 1900s the store was known as Taylor and Carpen ter, and in 1911 it was incorporated as the Corner Book Store. The firm moved to 109 N. Tioga (in the Blood Building) in 1923 and to Ithaca 42 Manufacturers' Its Past and Agents for JAMIESON Si Mt The Florida Steam Heater PERFECTLY SAFE AND DURABLE. J Practical Plumbers. 4a* t*iim> ityutt and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Wrought and Cast Iron Pipe and Fittings; Lead Pipe and Sheet Lead; Brass & Iron Valves; Steam and Water Gauges; Marble Slabs and Bowls, Copper Galvanized Iron Boilers, and Pumps, Sinks, Bath Tubs, Rub ber Hose and Packing, Gas Fixtures, etc., CAYUGA ST. 9 SOUTH ITHACA, N. Y. SET WITHOUT BRICK-WORK. For its etc. Warming City or Country Residences, Hotels, Stores, Schools, Churches and Public Build ings, hy Low Temperature Steam. All orders will receive prompt attention. in 1969. For many years the store was run by Earle Mabel DeMotte; she sold it to the current owners, Charles and present site and Ursula Schlough, in 1976. 113 S. Cayuga (1934). The Lyceum Theater in 1893. An L-shaped trance here its and Green Street. In and building, auditorium on other words, it 123 S. Cayuga. The Lyceum remained the Lyceum in use the behind ran about 30. built had its the the on lobby present buildings Ithaca theater grandest for site of was at this spot and en city hall at on 115-121 the time, the years. 105-111 S. Cayuga (1940). On this site, Elias Treman built the Lyceum Block in 1898. Vivian and Gibb designed the building in a style similar since been Fury building to the Lyceum Theater torn door. Both buildings have down. Block (between 1883 originally housed a projecting frame bay ornate cast-iron brackets. usual next and 1893). 126-128 S. Cayuga. This grocery and a and meat wooden shop. marquee 114-118 S. Cayuga (c. 1898). John M. Wilgus It has an supported designed this un by simple The Commons The Lyceum Theater, the Jamieson and Adjacent Areas and McKinney Block, Annex, from left but stately brick building, which 43 and the City Hall to right, in 1922. has arched windows and projecting stone sills. 106-112 S. Cayuga (c. 1870). Founded by tailor Morris Lewis Morris' tion the Lewis of facade Men's Wear is 1905, around was added family. Little the Chanticleer that has boasts received remains of in the twentieth 101 West State (c. 1947). a Originally status here included the Office Hotel grocery (1880s One of the and run the by the third genera original buildings; the century. handsome landmark being a restaurant but now a bar, multi-colored neon rooster sign from the (1910s and city. Earlier businesses 1920s) and the Crozier 1890s). most city's famous businesses, the Ithaca Calendar Clock Company, apparently had its beginnings on this site early in 1866. Then in April of that year the company moved several doors south on Cayuga, and old moved to State and Albany. Finally, large three-story brick building on the county fairgrounds at Dey and Adams. Although that 1874 the firm built the in 1867 a in site of build- 44 Ithaca and Its Past An Ithaca Calendar Clock. ing burned in The business 1876, it closed in largely because ies that immediately rebuilt and is still standing. 1920, however, soon after Prohibition began, was it lost its biggest customers, breweries gave the clocks 103 W. State (1885, away and distiller as premiums. perhaps much earlier). The first three floors of building may be the western half of a Federal commercial block constructed by Henry Ackley in 1824. (We know that Ackley built a three-story, six-bay brick building on the southwest corner of State [then called Owego] and Cayuga at that time.) In 1885 the building this was substantially altered, Many furniture stores Howard, Barton, and have the including occupied addition this spot, fourth floor. of a including ones run by Shulman. 105 W. State (between 1910 and 1919). This is a typical early twentieth-century Ithaca commercial building, with its storefront in tact. The design is similar to that of the State Theater, which was built later. John L. Whiton's bakery occupied this spot (and 107) from the 1860s to ceeded the 1880s, and Melvin W. Quick's bakery suc it. State Theater (1928). 107-119 W. State. Soon after the Bank of The Commons and 45 Adjacent Areas Newburgh (from the city on the Hudson River) established a branch in Ithaca around 1820, it built a handsome office on this site. In 1912 the building was moved to 106 E. Court, it where (see still stands the DeWitt Park tour). When the State Theater opened, it billed was Ithaca's first as "semi-atmospheric" Designed theater. seated 1818 people and and other stage ville from tures the lights to placed to the stage is had 32 different background drops for a ornate painted ceiling to the stars, represent a reminder it although shows, beginning. The interior includes Victor A. Rigaumont, it by vaude also presented motion pic Moorish/Gothic/Renaissance resemble and with constellations, "cloud a Next board with slots Other features include of vaudeville: a notice for sliding in the names of upcoming acts. heraldic cloth hangings, elaborate metal light fixtures, and plaques of Cornell fraternities and societies. In the lobby is a Renaissance-style fireplace and converted outside to two is smaller an theaters in 1976 State (1901). Cornell 121 W. thony installed Ithaca's first liest in the nation. Ithaca's first phone ticket ornate physics booth. The was enclosing the balcony. professor William A. An by line in 1878, telephone theater one of the ear Soon after, he and William O. Wyckoff formed company. It was purchased in 1883 by the New Pennsylvania Telephone York and built this Colonial Revival and structure Telegraph as a Company, telephone which That exchange. company was taken over by (or became) New York Telephone in 1909. From the 1930s to the 1960s, the building housed the Salva tion Army features triple Citadel. Clinton L. Vivian designed the a small portico with window with columns, Ionic columns, and roll-up building, stained-glass which windows, a window guards on the west side. Ithaca Journal sive Building (known as the Titus Block renovation) (1876). 123-125 W. State. Ithaca has before produced exten many The daily only oldest business in the city, the Ithaca Journal was founded in 1815 by Jonathan Ingersoll as a weekly called the Seneca Republican. In 1816 newspapers or in its history, but 1817 Ebenezer Mack changed the name and paper one a partner purchased to the American Journal. The to the Ithaca Journal in 1823. The name has remains. the paper and name was changed gone through many then, and the paper has acquired many of its competitors. It became a daily in 1870, and in 1872 built its own on South Tioga behind the Wilgus Block. minor changes building since Ithaca 46 The Titus Block around The Journal 1905, before moved Second Empire to its his stories and building, the Titus reconstructed which at Block, the developer, designed in 1905. and by Eventually removing the adding a reporter, took the became Cornell. was A. B. Dale. In 1876 William O. Wyckoff founded and schools he realized he began name in the country here. As the a school need for to teach stenographers both Practical Business Institute a part of a state skills. and The still of one of supreme and "type school later, in later 1945, Ithaca College. Elks Club (1916). 139 W. State. The Benevolent Order was a originally built by C. M. Titus, a real estate J. C. and C. D. Stowell, wholesale grocers. It was first business court the time building, career as a campus correspondent while at The Titus Block the present the Ithaca Journal. by brick facade. Frank Gannett bought the in 1912, his first acquisition outside of Elmira. He had begun two paper Its Past extensive renovation structure called the company completely top and Elks built this Colonial Revival building and to Protective house their The Commons rubber-stamp the was large manufacturer. dentils, Gibb by and the Note the a 47 boatbuilder and leaded-glass windows, small a to the gable unusual caps The design ends. Waltz. and Crozier Block (between 1882 Crozier, Adjacent Areas Earlier businesses here included offices and club. a and owned grocer, Around 1940 the and 1888). 138-140 W. State. R. A. brick-veneer this present storefront was building its Carrara with added, in the 1890s. glass panels. Torrent Hose by owned facade the No. 5 (1882). 136 W. State. Although firehouse the city, this The pany. Company was was added fire with storefront, was added and second- fire a volunteer com design was done by A. B. Wood, but the present later. Note the pressed-metal walls and ceiling and pole. 132-134 W. State (between 1919 second by original original wall, built now and its bricks, glass and glazed 1929). The Art Moderne tiles, and curved in the 1940s. At that time, Moose Hall third floors. The third-floor building original has entrance occupied arches over windows and small windows covered by the the wood screens. 128-130 W. State (c. has building a brick 1860). Like the Crozier Block, this frame veneer. Note the rough stone Exchange Hotel (c. 1840). 124 W. State. This last frame structures downtown, lintels building, built to house was and sills. one of the the Exchange Hotel. It may be the second oldest hotel building in Ithaca, after the Clinton House. Sometime before 1904, the building was doubled in size. Gregg Block (c. 1872). 108-112 W. State. A. B. Dale designed this Italianate window building, hoods. A Hibbard Block which has handsome brickwork new storefront was added (102-104, 1847; 106, c. and two types of in 1981. 1860). 102-106 W. State. F. Hibbard, one of three partners who had built the Clinton Block and Clinton House, constructed this Greek Revival building to Henry house his of the general store. Around 1900, the building became the home Club. A large meeting room with an ornate tin ceiling the entire third floor. Many years earlier, in 1816, Luther City occupied Gere built the Columbian Inn on this site. A murder there in 1831 "prejudiced the however, and the inn failed. (This may have been the first murder in the village of Ithaca, when shoemaker Guy C. Clark killed his wife. Clark was publicly hanged, before thousands of spectators, for his offense.) Part of the building was later moved Ithaca 48 The across original the Clinton House street (to the and around Its Past 1866. On the left, corner) to southwest the Clinton Block. become the Carson tavern. Clinton Block (between 1837 damaged though building fronts, still retains stepped dows. An iron removed. ton Hall by gables, balcony (later called dancing of this Greek Revival its charm, including decorative iron grills the second floor and a and on The third floor is, entertainment center. mances, fire in 1976, much 1846). 106-114 N. Cayuga. Al and or was, on open on commercial cast-iron the store frieze win have been known as Clin parapet space Manhattan Hall), a public meeting hall and It was used for exhibitions, traveling perfor classes, vaudeville shows, and movies, as well as