HomeMy WebLinkAboutContinuation Sheet - 19 E. Main, Trumansburg.pdfN.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Property
Constructed c. 1864 after a massive fire demolished the north side of Main Street,
the current building is one of three brick blocks that survives of Trumansburg Italianate
commercial period. It is situated along the eastern bank of Trumansburg Creek. The first
floor is used for commercial purposes and the second floor contains apartments.
19 East Main is one of four commercial units that appears to have been
constructed as part of a concurrently developed block that included the current units at
#7, 9, 15, and 19. Despite their historically unifying appearance, 7, 15-17, and 19 East
Main currently reflect the aesthetic alterations that accompany differences in ownership
and unit usage. #19 is the eastern unit of the four, flush with 21 East Main to the east and
15 East Main to the west. Its roof life is noticeably below the eastern units, suggesting it
was constructed at an earlier date. A corbelled cornice line extends the length of the street
(south) facade. The three second -floor windows have decorative treatments, with round -
headed arched windows with keystone, spring stones, and stone sills, identical to those on
47-55 East Main Street. The window openings have been in -filled to allow for installation
of standard 1/1 vinyl sash. The brick was once painted, but is being allowed to gradually
fade.
The first floor of the main (south) fagade retains its historical four -bay
configuration. The transom windows above the display spaces and doorways have been
covered and the two doors (one main entrance to the east, one entrance to an internal
staircase to the west) are replacements. The cast iron storefront is likely intact, given the
configuration of the openings, although covered by wood and not currently visible.
The rear (north) fagade of this stretch of brick buildings is an assortment of
building materials (wood, concrete block, metal) for staircases and decks, reflecting the
private/service functions.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Significance
Trumansburg has an unfortunate history of massive fires, and buildings that
stretched the length of the north side of Main Street from Union Street to the Presbyterian
Church were consumed in a monstrous conflagration on February 22, 1864. In The
History of Trumansburg (1890), local historians record the fire in the following way:
There was no fire apparatus of any description in the town ... it became apparent
that the town must go not with out standing the almost superhuman efforts of the
people to check the conflagration. Lines of men, women, and even children were
formed, buckets of water were passed, and the advancing flames persistently
fought at every step until delicate women would fall to the ground from sheer
exhaustion....Main Street from the bridge to the Presbyterian Church and Elm
Street to the corner of Whig were filled with the house hold goods and
merchandise of all descriptions ... Thee scene at daylight beggards description.
One half the town in ruins, scores of homeless people searching the saved
property for their belongings. (As quoted by L. Sears, 53).
The Trumansburg New York Incorporation Centennial (1972) notes that many of
the buildings devoured in the fire were of wood and the majority of owners chose not to
rebuild, instead selling the lots. The new owners overwhelmingly constructed their new
buildings out of brick, historically an urban guard against fire, and adopted more uniform
designs and greater set -backs. The block at 7-23 East Main Street reflects this new
building style.
19 East Main is one of four commercial units that was originally constructed as
part of a concurrently developed block that included the current units at #7, 9, 15, and 19.
(Current historical evidence is unclear as to whether it was developed by a single person,
or if the buildings were constructed individually and simply decorated in cooperation
with the neighboring units. Structural analysis necessary to determine origins.) During
the April 1887 survey for Trumansburg's first Sanborn Insurance Map, assessors noted
that a single balcony ran the length of units of # 15 and 19#. Notations also indicate that
there was a passage between the two buildings.
In 1887, the unit housed a billiards parlor, but was converted into a grocery store
by the December 1893 Sanborn survey. Former Village Historian Lydia Sears notes that
in 1887, the Village voted, by a slim majority, to be "dry," which may have contributed
to the closure of the billiard hall. Assessors also noted its grocery business in May 1898;
by December 1905, it housed a boots and shoes store, reconfirmed on the December 1910
map. As was typical of the September 1929 map, the purpose of the unit was merely
designated as "S" for "store." Notations indicate that a passageway was opened to the
unit to the west, now known as #17, which was used as storage, possible for an
automobile. (How this was physically possible is unclear, but the surveyors used the
notation "A," which is the Sanborn abbreviation for "automobile.")
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 2
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Significance (continued)
In the 201h century, these units have been separated into different tax parcels,
reflecting ownership trends and economic consideration for property. At the time of the
1977 historical survey, the unit housed the Cotillion Beauty Salon. As of 2014, it contains
Costello Acupuncture.
Partial History of Ownership of #19 Date Acquired Book Page
Alan Vogel ?
Gordon Whitaker et al. April 8, 1991 661 134
(current owner)May 1, 2003 43154 5001
Figure 1: Main (south) facade
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 3
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19 East Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Sources
Digital Sanborn Maps 1867-1970. Arm Arbor, Mich.: ProQuest UMI, 2001.
Goldstein, Carol and Tania Werbizky. "9-15-19 E. Main Street," NY
Building Structure Inventory Form, Division for Historic Preservation. Albany,
NY, Spring 1977.
Martin, Carolyn A. Trumansburg, New York Incorporation Centennial." Trumansburg,
NY: The Trumansburg Centennial Association Incorporated, 1972.
Sears, Lydia. A History of Trumansburg, New York, 1792-1967. Location unknown: I -T
Publishing Corp, 1978.
Tompkins County. "Property Description Report For: 19 Main St E, Municipality of
V. Trumansburg." Image Mate Online. Accessed July 29, 2014.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 4