HomeMy WebLinkAboutContinuation Sheet - 19-23 W. Main, Trumansburg.pdfN.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19-23 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Property
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The four -bay brick building at 19-23 West Main was built contiguously with 1, 3,
5 West Main and 9-11 West Main, and was originally connected to 9-11 West Main. The
Biggs Building that divides them was previously the site of the two four -bay connected
buildings. (Thus, historically, the block likely contained six identical buildings with a
combined total of 24 bays.) This assessment is based on a review of the Sanborn
Insurance maps and the recognition that the Biggs Building is roughly twice the width of
the adjoining buildings.
Historically, the buildings were uniform in mass, scale, and detailing and Sanborn
Insurance Maps indicate that the units were structurally independent. Collectively, the
brick buildings are good local examples of the commercial Italianate style, featuring a
detailed pattered and metal, corbelled cornice with large brackets. Currently, the paint on
the cornice is severely deteriorated and the metal is exposed. The roof is flat.
The third floor on the north fagade has simulated flat arch hoods (they arch at the
top, but are squared above the sash) and painted sills. The second floor has horizontal
lintels and the same sills as the third floor. The second and third floor windows are
replacement windows with 1/1 lights. The lengthened openings on the second floor
reflected that these were originally French doors that opened onto a wrought iron
balcony. (The original doors are still visible on the second floor of 9-11 West Main.)
(Sanborn Insurance Map, April 1889).
The facade was cast at Gregg Iron Works, a local foundry. It is still visible and
retains its structural integrity. The windows and openings have been altered: the transoms
are covered, windows and doors are replacements, and the door opening have been
partially in -filled. The class paneled door, extant in the 1977 survey, has been removed.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 1
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19-23 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Property (continued)
Like other sections of Main Street, the area in front of the block has been filled in
order to eliminate some of the depressions of the street. The block has cellar windows
that are blocked by the present raised level of the street. Trumansburg Creeks runs
directly south of the property.
Narrative Description of Significance
The second great fire in Trumansburg history (the first occurring in February
1864), erupted on May 5, 1871 and proceeded to destroy the parts of the commercial
district that were spared seven years earlier. The fire erupted along the south side of Main
Street and quickly spread among the wooden buildings. County Historian Carolyn A.
Martin wrote, "Even buildings on that side of Main Street were lost, and when the fire
jumped across the street four more went, among them the Washington House, one of the
finest hotels for miles ... In all, twenty-three businesses were lost." As in the case of the
1864 fire, arson was suspected but never proven (Martin, 25-26).
The row of predominantly brick buildings (the masonry Biggs Building is the
exception, a replacement due to fire) along Main Street west of Trumansburg Creek were
constructed after the 1871 fire. The previous lots were smaller and the buildings
constructed of wood. The fire provided the opportunity for the creation of larger lots and
the construction of larger, brick buildings in a compatible Italianate commercial style
(Martin, 27). The 1977 survey identified William Hazard as the possible builder of the
five identical buildings, including # 19-23, but had no definitive information.
In the first Sanborn Insurance map of April 1883, #19-23 is labeled a notions
store. By December 1893, the store expanded its inventory to include dry goods, as well
as notions. It continued to be utilized for these purposes as of the May 1898 map. By
December 1905, the building was vacant, possibly due to the demolition (likely caused
by fire) to the adjoining site now occupied by the Biggs Building (13-17 West Main).
The period between 1905 and 1910 was a busy time for the area surrounding #19-
23. To the east, the Briggs Building sprung up and to the west the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows (IOOF) built their temple. As of the December 1910 Sanborn survey, a
bank, reputed to be the State Bank according to the 1977 survey, occupied the first floor
of #19-23. The 1977 survey also noted that the bank safe was still installed on the first
floor. In the final Sanborn survey of Trumanburg, completed in September 1929, notes
that the building was used for "movies."
As of 1977, Camel's restaurant was in the first floor unit, operating from that site
since 1952. In 2013, Dorothy's Music Room, a bar and restaurant, closed. The first floor
commercial space is currently occupied by the Silver Line Bar and the upper floors
contain walk-up apartments.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 2
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19-23 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Significance (continued)
History of Ownership of Building Date Acquired Book Page
Camillus Chantra Jr.
(may have inherited from namesake)
Richard Burns
(current owner)
1952
December 29, 2000 894 295
September 28, 2005 48015 9001
Figure 1: Main (north) facade
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 3
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 19-23 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Figure 2: Detail of main (north) facade
Sources
Celebration of the Bicentennial of the United States of America in the Town of Ulysses
and the Village of Trumansburg. Publisher unknown: 1976.
Digital Sanborn Maps 1867-1970. Ann Arbor, Mich.: ProQuest UMI, 2001.
Goldstein, Carol and Tania Werbizky. "15 W. 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: 19-23 Main St W, Municipality of
V. Trumansburg." Image Mate Online. Accessed July 29, 2014.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 4