HomeMy WebLinkAboutContinuation Sheet - 35-37 W. Main, Trumansburg.pdfN.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 35-37 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
V I M 1 46.6
jj� 10,1("J�,Q ll 915
I P I "� 4 1 , is -�
Narrative Description of Property
The building at 35-37 West Main Street is a one-story building with two distinct
storefronts. The western storefront on the main (north) facade is attached to an L-shaped
unit that was constructed between 1911 and 1929. The eastern storefront was a later
addition, added sometime post -1929. The eastern portion has a sloping shed roof and
a storefront that is configured to mimic the set -backs of the cast iron storefronts to the
east. The western unit has a false front, a flat roof, and a modernized storefront. The
horizontal detailing of the water table on the both main (north) facades suggests that the
storefronts were redone at the same time. Historically, these were likely simply
vernacular buildings that have been stylized to appeal to a contemporary audience.
These buildings mark an important boundary between the three-story brick
commercial block to the east and the beginning of twentieth century one-story buildings
to the west. Like their eastern neighbors, they are close to the road. The western fagade is
punctuated by a series of 1 light windows.
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).
As the brick buildings to the east of #35-37 attest, the post -fire strategy was to re-
build with more fire-resistant materials. This commercial building is distinctive in the
Trumansburg commercial area for being a purposely -built wooden commercial structure.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 35-37 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Narrative Description of Significance (continued)
(43-45 East Main Street, for example, is a clapboard Greek Revival, formerly a residence,
that has been modified for first -floor commercial use.)
The L -shape portion of the building first appeared on the September 1929
Sanborn Insurance map. It is not shown on the December 1910 map, suggesting it was
constructed between 1911 and 1929.
As of June 2014, the building is occupied by Word of Mouth Catering.
Partial History of Ownership of Building Date Acquired Book Page
Aage Larsen ?
(current owner) December 8, 1997 810 39
Figure 1: Main (north) facades
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 2
N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet
Address: 35-37 West Main Street
Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg
Figure 2: Aerial map, Google Maps, July 31, 2014.
Sources
Digital Sanborn Maps 1867-1970. Ann Arbor, Mich.: ProQuest UMI, 2001.
A History of Trumansburg. Trumansburg, NY: The Free Press, 1890.
Martin, Carolyn A. Trumansburg, New York Incorporation Centennial." Trumansburg,
NY: The Trumansburg Centennial Association Incorporated, 1972.
Tompkins County. "Property Description Report For: 35-37 Main St E, Municipality of
V. Trumansburg." Image Mate Online. Accessed July 29, 2014.
Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 3