Burgess Avenue curves from South Ritter up to University Avenue. This meandering street, formerly called Grand Avenue before Irvington's annexation in 1902, was developed in the 1880s and 1890s. While the first Irvingtonians built solid brick Italianate villas in the 1870s, the second wave constructed tall rambling Queen Ann homes. This unusual house, located at 289 Burgess Avenue, has been home to many families since the 1890s. Note the irregular roofline and ornamental detailing in the gables and on the porch. The stair-stepped attic windows were another unusual feature of the dwelling. In the top photo, children gather on the front porch (c.1898) of the house. If you look closely, the ghostly image of the former Irvington Public School appears on South Audubon Road! The children are dressed in their finest. At least two of them have removed their winter boots. The second photo, shows the Bloomfield Moore family on a snowy day in front of their grand home. (c1898) You will note that Burgess Avenue was little more than a dirt path in the late nineteenth century.
 |
| Children stand on the porch at 289 Burgess Avenue c1898 |
 |
| The Bloomfield Moore family in front of 289 Burgess Avenue c1898 |
 |
| 289 Burgess Avenue on December 27, 2012 |
The contemporary image was shot on December 27, 2012, after another snowstorm. You can still see some of the original Victorian features on the home. The historic images are courtesy of local historian, Larry Muncie.
No comments:
Post a Comment