HomeMy WebLinkAboutContinuation Sheet - 79 E. Main, Trumansburg.pdfN.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 79 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
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Narrative Description of Property
Located along the north side of Main Street, 79 East Main Street is the first in a
stretch of historically residential buildings to the south of the commercial area.
Constructed as a single-family residence in 1927-1928, the property is a converted
residence that is currently occupied by Salmon Pottery Gallery.
An excellent local example of the Colonial Revival style, the building is a two-
story, side gable, clapboard structure with returns, a reference to the popularity of Greek
Revival in the vicinity. The main block has three bays and a centered one-story hipped -
roof portico with Roman Doric columns over the main entrance on the street (south)
fagade. The door surround is typical for the style: a flat arch light is over the door and
rectangular lights flank it. The double -hung window sash contain a variety of light
configurations, including 6/1, 8/1, and 12/1, and are arranged in singles and pairs, each
set flanked by wooden shutters. A brick chimney is centered on the west fagade.
A one-story hip and gable roof wing was added to the west fagade in 1955 for use
as a doctor's office by previous owner, Dr. Carl Smith. This three -bay structure has a
separate entrance set back on the eastern bay.
Narrative Description of Significance
The property was constructed in 1927-1928 by local builder Foster Reigle of
Trumansburg for Fred Holman, the railroad station agent of the Village. After serving in
World War II, Dr. Carl Smith joined the practice of his father, Dr. Herman Smith, in
1946. Upon Reigle's death in 1948, Dr. Carl Smith acquired the property, adding the
western addition in 1955 for his dentistry office.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 79 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Significance (continued)
This is a very important parcel in local history as the first site a building was
constructed by someone of European descent ca. 1782. Abner Treman, early local
landowner and settler, sent his brother Philip and Philip's son Benjamin ahead of himself
to clear the land on Military Lot #2, the 600 -acre property that comprises the Village of
Trumansburg today. (In the Military Lot information, Abner is listed as Abner Trimmns,
one of a variety of variations of spelling of his last name.) According to former Village
Historian Linda Sears in A History of Trumansburg (1978), "They cleared eight acres and
put up an open-faced shelter on the site of the present Dr. Carl Smith residence. Abner
gave them each fifty acres of his grant for their work." Abner, his wife, Mary McLallen
of Alfrod, Massachusetts, and their three children began their journey from Chenango
County to their land in February 1793, arriving on the cleared land in March. They used
the lean-to through the summer, building a cabin on the same site later that some year. A
frame house was later constructed by Treman on the site in 1811. It was a large structure
and Abner's grandchildren remembered it was used for dances.
History of Ownership of Building Date Acquired Book Page
Fred Holman
Dr. Carl Smith
Kevin Shreve
1927-8 (built house)
Em
(current owner) 2008 49104 4001
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 2
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 79 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Figure 1: Main (south) facade
Sources
Goldstein, Carol and Tania Werbizky. "79 E Main Street," NY
Building Structure Inventory Form, Division for Historic Preservation. Albany,
NY, Spring 1977.
Sears, Lydia. A History of Trumansburg, New York, 1792-1967. Location unknown: I -T
Publishing Corp, 1978.
Tompkins County. "Property Description Report For: 79 Main St E, Municipality of
V. Trumansburg." Image Mate Online. Accessed June 20, 2014.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 3