this was then and this is now - the
city library
designed by j. wood in the italianate style, 1876
photo credit: historic american buildings survey
(second image)
(right click and select "Save Target As...")
The
prosperity of the late 1800s made Newburgh's beautiful
buildings possible. Thankfully, some of these buildings
are still standing. Grand Street truly lives up to its
name. The most beautiful buildings and homes in Newburgh,
including the Italianate style library pictured above,
stand on Grand Street. The Italianate style erupted
out of England during the picturesque movement. A reaction
to the rigid classical architecture of the times, this
romantic style draws inspiration from airy Italian villas.
One of the chief characteristics of the Italianate style,
illustrated by the image of the city library building
above, are overhanging eaves with ornamental brackets.
In my opinion, this is the most beautiful building in
Newburgh.The second image above shows an older picture
of the library. Notice that the parking lot in the first
image used to be a series of buildings. Click on the
camera icon above to see a brief video clip that shows
city library building.
not the gingerbread house
- the william warren house
designed by c. vaux - gothic revival style, 1875
The
house pictured above, slated for demolition during the
1960s, is probably one of the finest and most colorful
on the block. Not every house on Grand Street looks
like the one above, however. Some houses are rented
out to multiple tenants, which explains their low level
of upkeep.
To
help preserve and improve the city's historic homes
and commerical buildings, groups such as Newburgh for
Newcomers try to connect prospective homeowners with
Newburgh's real estate. Newburgh for Newcomers recently
hosted a day long tour and information session—in
conjunction with architects, developers, city officials,
and local banks—highlighting the affordable opportunities
to purchase historic homes and commercial buildings.
first image design no. 8 in villas
and cottages - c. vaux, Carpenter Gothic style,
c.1857 second image "priest's
mansion" - c. vaux and withers, 2nd Empire style,
1854
Robert
Case, president of the Newburgh Savings Bank from
1852-1854, commissioned the firm of Vaux, Withers
& Co. to build the house pictured above (first
image). Modeled after "Design No. 8" in
his 1857 book Villas and Cottages, Vaux called
it "a moderate-sized cheap house with a kitchen
above ground. According to the Mount Saint Mary College
"Historic Houses of Newburgh" project, the
owner can modify "the design to suit almost any
interior configuration and can be dramatically altered
in exterior appearance . . . these houses are built
of 8-inch brick but are covered with wooden siding."
By the
1970s the house deteriorated and became infested with
rats (see image below). Fortunately, in 1986, a woman
bought the house (probably for about $50,000) and
spent $200,000 to nourish it back to health. She recently
sold the house for $450,000. For more information
on this house, click here.
photo credit: Julian Hogan (source - Mount Saint
Mary College Historic Houses of Newburgh project)
buildings with marble facades on grand
street (first image)
and williams street (second image)
first image the crawford house,
home of the historical society, c.1829 second image funeral home,
n. wilson c.1865
