A walking tour through the village |
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A good starting point is the Northville-Northampton Museum on South Main St. The museum has a wonderful collection of historical photographs, maps, tools, books and every-day use objects, covering the development of the village, the town and the hamlets of Sacandaga Park and Fish House. Then cross the street to 401 S Main the Kerr House. It was built in 1898 by a man from NY City for his two unmarried sisters. There is a similar house on 411 S First - the Conover House. Next door is the Joseph Spier House, a Greek Revival style built in 1819. The (later added) porch has round columns with Corinthian capitals, cobble stone bases and other unique touches. Walk south and pass the Felter House at 432 S Main; built in 1860 in Federal style with 1930's Greek revival additions. Continue to 520 S Main - the Spier House, built in 1825 and constructed with hand-hewn beams. Joseph Spier operated a mercantile business from 1825 to 1856. He was the first Northville postmaster. During the 1940's Mel Graff, the originator of the syndicated cartoon strip "Secret Agent X9", lived here with his wife and daughter. Across the street is a folk-Victorian house known as "The Homestead" aka Dr. Grant's House. Now walk back north over First Street, past the Conover House to 251 S First. This two-story colonial revival has a number of interesting architectural features such as the grouped porch columns, a Palladian style attic dormer window and a pleasing first to second floor bay window. Turn right on Washington St and pass the Cole House on 241 S Main. James A Cole (1833-1910) was a pioneer lumberman and inventor. He also formed the Northville Granite Co and built the Cole building on Main St - now occupied by the Masons. Across the street is the Anibal House, a 21/2 story wood frame Stick-style Victorian. The stoop entry has a lot of interesting decorative detail. The interior is original and includes a very pretty stairwell. Lee Anibal was a lawyer, admitted to the bar in 1879. He once owned the largest law library in Fulton County. Walk north on Main towards the commercial center. Note the Palmer House at 221 S Main - a queen Anne Eastlake style Victorian; the facade has many decorative features (and some additions in the rear). Then another Eastlake style - the G.N. Brown House) at 201 S Main. Mr Brown was a respected pharmacist. This house has retained its integrity and there is lots of architectural and decorative detail. The commercial center is at the intersection of Main, Bridge and Water Streets. |
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The Commercial Center includes the Franklin Wright building (132 S Main). This masonry Victorian building with double bay windows dates from around 1892. It was a drug store, harness shop, the famous Tuccio's Sugar Bowl ice-cream store and the Homer Dodge department store. Next door is the Northville 5&10, built in 1914; it has housed a variety of similar uses ( DeWitt, Newberry's). There is a giant banquet space on the 2nd floor. The next masonry building on the north side of Water Street is Allen & Palmer, built Italianate style in 1885. The cornice has large dentil molding and brackets. The 2nd floor once housed the Electric & Power Co. The large wood-framed building in vernacular style with "old West" embellishments is the Hard Pan store, once a trading emporium and later (1917-1969) the Star Theatre. The building across the street was built in 1813. The front was re-built in 1899 after a fire. The mid-section dates from the mid 1800's. It was once a hotel. This building, the Franklin Wright building and the 5&10 all are suitable targets for mixed-use renovation initiatives. |
Walk west on Bridge St to 122 - the former Chequer & Krested blacksmith shop (1868-1918) is now a real estate office. This vernacular style building retains integrity despite multiple remodels and additions. Across the street is a well-preserved Italianate style 2-story wood-framed home. A little farther north is the beautifully renovated Resseguie - 141 N First St. Next on 331 Bridge St is the Hubble house - a 2-story Queen Anne with cross-gabled roofs. Ray Hubble was a respected businessman and inventor who contributed much to .the development of Northville. The Peter Harris House (421 Bridge) is a colonial revival home built in 1902. It has a distinctive wrap-around curved porch. The Olmstead House at 501 Bridge St - now parsonage - is in Queen Anne style and dates from 1896. The Craftsman style Sargent House at 511 Bridge once housed the engineer in charge of the construction of the Sacandaga Reservoir. At 611 Bridge is the Robinson House - the only Second Empire style residence in Northville. Time for lunch and a tour of the Willard House aka the "Inn at the Bridge". |