We had about an hour of uncommitted time left after leaving the last stop on the holiday homes tour last Sunday, so Cecilia, her grandma and I headed north to drive by a particularly adorable abandoned house that I've always admired. My mind clearly was not on the blog, because I failed to take any pictures.
But, we decided to take back roads on our way home, and we stumbled across some more amazing abandonment. And I remembered my camera.
This Second Empire was unbelievable:
Check out the details along the eaves and in the slate roof:
One of the doors on the porch was hanging wide open, and my mom and I couldn't resist looking into the house. (No, we didn't go in.)
I never quite know how to feel when I see a house in this condition. On one hand, I'm glad to know that the original trim and other material have been salvaged and will presumably live on in another home. But on the other hand, I know that a gutted interior greatly decreases any chances that this house has at being renovated. Realistically I know most of these houses will never be saved, but looking through the doorway to that gutted interior just seemed to drive home the sad fate that is most likely ahead for this home.
And about two miles down the road we found this little gem:
This house had a sign posted on the porch door so we didn't venture out of our car, but I really wanted to peek through those windows. I suspect this house is close in age to our own home, and the original windows in this brick house make me drool. Notice that the first story windows are 9-over-6, while the second story are 6-over-6. Like this house, the Einsel House's first story windows are taller than its second story windows. We know the EH's original second story windows were 6-over-6, but the original first story windows were replaced long ago and we do not know their original design. I would love to know if the windows from this brick house would match what was originally on our own home.
I think this spring I'll have to find a day just to drive back roads looking for more old abandoned houses. : )
The brick house (Greek Revival) has been demolished! The eastern part of the county had a tremendous supply of historic architecture as late as the 1960s, but a lot (too much, in my opinion) has been torn down within the last 20 years.
ReplyDeleteI know Chris, it came down earlier this spring. It was sold at auction last fall for delinquent taxes. The house itself was in sad shape, the interior half gutted and half remuddled. Still was sad to see it down though. And only a mile from the Second Empire. Two great houses both gone now.
ReplyDeleteWhere oh where is this French second empire house located?
ReplyDeleteMy email is stardevelopment7@gmail.com
Terry - see my post from September, 2011 titled "Bittersweet"
ReplyDelete