VILLAGE OF ANGELICANEW YORK |
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VILLAGE OF ANGELICANEW YORK |
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| THE VILLAGE OF ANGELICA, ALLEGANY COUNTY, NEW YORK |
| A Walking Tour of Historic Sites with a Summary of Its History |
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| The Angelica Park Circle Historic District, established in 1978, encompasses the Park and much of Main Street. Along with the Court House, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. |
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| Historical & Architectural Data "Angelica Collectanea", L.L. Stillwell, 1955. |
| "A Town Called Angelica", Angelica Booster Citizens, 1974. |
| Illustrations Tammy Kane |
| Published by the Angelica Booster Citizens. Inc. 1986. |
| Historical Sketch of Angelica |
| The village of Angelica was established just as the 18th century was emerging into the 19th, at the time in history when the land-holding entrepreneurs were attracting settlers into the wilderness of western New York State. In 1800, John Barker Church obtained from Robert Morris 100,000 acres of the Morris Reserve in the name of his son, Capt. Philip Church. In 1802, Capt. Church sent Evert Van Wickle to the area to select a site for the village. "The site was determined upon," notes the ANGELICA COLLECTANEA, "and also the name for the embryonic village. With filial reverence and affection Church named the place, the first village in Allegany County, for his mother, Angelica, the eldest daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler." Angelica is one of three communities in the nation so named, and is the only one with a post office. Angelica is the oldest town in the county and was, for a half-century, the sole county seat. Early settlers of the town, which was formed by an act of the Legislature on Feb. 25, 1805, included Evert Van Wickle, John Gibson, and Major Moses Van Campen. |
| At its inception Angelica was to develop as a planned community and much of the charm that is Angelica today-the common green at the center, with its surrounding churches and old courthouse, and the wide, tree-Lined Main Street that runs from it east and west-is the legacy of Capt. Church's plan for his new community. The plan soon broke down, as plans are wont to do, yet Angelica remains, a unique monument to her founder's vision. The town's early industrial efforts saw numerous grist mills built to utilize the water power afforded by the Angelica Creek. There were also paper mills, a barrel factory, a paper box factory, and a carriage works. Through the first half of this century, Angelica was a railroad town, home to the shops of the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern. |
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| The Park |
| The beautiful public green at the center of the village was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Church. The deed reads: "It is hereby understood that the premises is to be used for no other purpose whatever than as a public place for the inhabitants of the town and village of Angelica." Band concerts, celebrations, parades, large political assemblies, lawn fetes, and other entertainments have been held in the Park. Croquet, or roque, has been played here since the 1860'5. Notice the present court. The game is much more skilled than croquet, and has complicated rules which permit playing the ball off the sideboards, similar to bank shots in billiards. |
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| The Tour |
| The architecture of Angelica was principally Classic Revival until after the 1860'5, when the Victorian fashion added decoration and embellishment to the existing temple-formed buildings. In the early 1900's there was another spurt of building activity, when a number of large buildings were erected. Since then there has been little new construction, and with the exception of electric street lighting and a few picture windows, the village looks as serene and unchanged as it appeared 75 years ago. There are more buildings of interest in our community than are included on this walking tour. We hope it will inspire you to take a better look at some of the fine old structures in Angelica. Angelica's history is highlighted by the lives of outstanding individuals: |
| Philip Church -Born April 14, 1778 in Boston, the son of John Barker Church and Angelica Schuyler Church. Educated in England. Served as aide-de-camp to Alexander Hamilton. Married Feb. 4, 1805 to Anna Matilda, eldest daughter of Gen. Walter Stewart of Philadelphia. Built Villa Belvidere, the great stone mansion still standing on the banks of the Genesee (completed 1810). Appointed "First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Allegany County," June, 1807; retained the office, the only one he ever held, until 1821. Influential in the development of first the Genesee Valley Canal, and later the New York & Erie Railroad. Died January, 1861, at Belvidere. Buried in Until the Day Dawn Cemetery, Angelica. Court House |
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| Moses Van Campen (1757-1849) Revolutionary War veteran, Indian fighter, surveyor for Church. Served as judge and justice of peace, and as county treasurer. Built brick house east of village (see no.47, following). Died there act. 15, 1849, aged 92. Buried in Angelica. |
| Evert Van Wickle -English engineer. Came in 1801 with Church, Van Campen, John Gibson, and others to explore Church tract. Surveyor and clerk for Church. Built "first frame house west of Bath," 1802 (see no.39). |
| I John Gibson (1769-1856) -Part of the 1801 exploratory expedition. Conducted the Church store. Fought in War of 1812. First Sheriff of Allegany County. |
| French emigrees -Hyde de Neville, Victor du Pont, and the d'Autremonts, French Royalists, came in 18061807. Baron de Neville returned to France after the fall of Napoleon, and from 1816 to 1821 was minister to the U.S. Victor du Pont de Nemours stayed from 18061810, then went to Delaware to join brother Irenee in the family gunpowder firm. The d' Autremonts remained for many years. |
| William B. Rochester (1789-1838) -Son of Nathaniel Rochester, founder of Rochester, NY. Appointed Supreme Court Justice, 8th Judicial District (NY), moved to Angelica in 1823. Sentenced David D. How to death for 1824 murder of Othello Church, first execution in county. Lost. to DeWitt Clinton in 1826 governor's race. |
| Marcus and Narcissa Prentiss Whitman -The pioneer western missionaries were married in the old Presbyterian Church in Angelica Feb. 18, 1836. Shortly thereafter they left on their epic journey to Oregon. |
| Martin Grover (1811-1875) -Attorney. Served as Congressman, later Judge of the Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State. Died in Angelica, buried here. |
| Calvin Fairbank {1816-1898) -Abolitionist. Served 17 years in Kentucky prisons. Lived his last years in Angelica; buried here. |
| William Wilson (1810-1879) -Farmer. Served in state Assembly. Left money for establishment of Wilson Academy (1885), which later became Wilsonian High School (1909). Buried in Angelica. |
| Frank Sullivan Smith (1851-1920) -Attorney. Receiver for Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Railroad. Built Smith mansion (see no.11). Buried in Angelica. |
| Clara Higgins Smith (1854-1934) -Wife of F.S. Smith, sister of N. V. Gov. Frank W. Higgins. Built the Angelica Free Library (see no.12) in memory of her mother. |
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| 1. Brown & Lockhart (400 W. Main) This home, appropriately named "Joncy Farm", is primarily an Italianate structure with Victorian features. The large two-story front section is believed to have been built in 1867, the rear one-and a half-story part is probably much older, and was rebuilt after a 1971 fire. The character of the house has been maintained even though every convenience has been included, |
| 2. Horner (Horner Rd.) In 1850 Levi Horner built this farmer's Greek Revival, since that time home to a Horner until 1986. The upper part of the center of the house was built much later for one of the married daughters to use as an apartment after her husband died. |
| 3. Sylor (Horner Rd.) Construction of this Greek Revival style home was begun in 1969 by Duane and Nancy Sylor. Much of the lumber was locally cut, and seasoned several years before use. The front hall has Greek Revival casings and cornice, and the elliptical staircase of ash. The balustrade was salvaged from an old farm house. |
| 4. Fisk (120 High St.) Built by Israel Loring Fisk in 1883, this brick Gothic home was eloquently decorated to the finest detail. The ceiling moldings were originally painted in five different colors. |
| 5. Craft (152 W. Main) This Greek Revival was built in 1852-53 by Thomas Royce. With labor at $1.25-$1.50 a day, the entire wall and cellar cost about $70. In 1857 the property was purchased for a Presbyterian parsonage. It served through several pastors including Rev. David Craft, who bought the house. It remained in, the family for many years until the death of a daughter, Gail. |
| 6. American Hotel (W. Main at Olean St.) In 1808 there were ten places in Angelica licensed as hotels. The American was erected in that early day, and there have been many years when it enjoyed a patronage by which the proprietor realized a profit. Beers' 1879.’History of Allegany County" calls it dilapidated and says ere long it will be a thing of the past. Isn't it interesting that the American is the only hotel left, and still in active use? |
| 7. Blair (102 Olean St.) Olean St., once called the Fifth Ave. of Angelica, boasts many splendid homes. This home, built in 1879 in Italianate design, was home to Mitchel S. Blair and later to his son, Frank Blair, practicing attorney for the P.S. & N. Railroad. |
| 8. Grover (109 W. Main) Martin Grover bought this house in 1847 from William F. Hamer for $600. Grover's niece left it to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and for many years it was the called the Martin Grover Parish House, |
| 9. Todd (94 W. Main) Dr. W. S. Todd was one of Angelica's earlier doctors. The house was made by moving two smaller houses together. Typically Greek Revival, the front windows are encased with paneling from floor to ceiling. Although Dr. Todd later built a small office next door, the house lent itself to a doctor's needs. Among others to use it for their offices were Dr. Jackson and Dr. B. C. Wakely. |
| 10. Arnold (79 W. Main) Built in 1833 from stone quarried at Joncy Gorge, James C. Arnold's home served his family for 98 years. Little change has been made in the exterior. Notice the interesting placement of the windows. |
| 11. Smith (79 W. Main) One of the grand houses of the Victorian period, this house was completed in 1886. The third floor once had a ballroom with a raised orchestra podium. The house was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sullivan Smith. |
| 12. Angelica Free Library (55 W. Main) Dedicated in 1900, the library was given in memory of Lucretia Higgins by her daughter, Mrs. Clara A, H, Smith, The east side of the building houses the Colonial Rooms, a museum of local artifacts, among them Moses Van Campen's surveying instruments, On the west side is the library proper, The assembly hall in the upstairs is used by local groups for various activities. |
| 13. Davenport (54 W. Main) Built by Charles Davenport about 1835. It is a braced-frame Greek Revival exemplary of the form developed for narrow New York City lots. The rear of the house is the oldest part. It appears to have been a small two-room structure built around a huge fireplace. The hall and parlor have the original stairs and woodwork; the bay window and porch are improvements of about 1880. |
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| 14. Mapes (53 W. Main) Built in the early 1820.s by James Mapes, who in his agreement with Philip Church was to have built by March 24, 1821, a braced. frame house in size not less than. 18 ft. by 24 ft. The front porch and rear third of the building were removed in 1980. Some argue that the original house was the part removed, but the present owner disputes this. |
| 15. Lloyd (47 W. Main) Built in 1834 from Joncy stone for Ransom Lloyd. In 1887 it was much improved by D. P. Richardson, in the form of a brick and frame addition, raising the roof over the stone part, ornamental window caps, and an artistic porch. |
| 16. Bank (~~in St.) The first bank of Angelica was a branch of the Erie County Bank. It did business for a short time, and then a private banking establishment was formed by Charles d' Autremont. The First National Bank was organized in 1864 by Alpha Morse, Alpha Lockhart, and others. The State Bank of Angelica was founded in 1895. |
| 17. The Little Building (Main St.) The Angelica Booster Citizens purchased this building in 1971 and use it as their meeting place. It previously had been used as a jewelry store, telephone exchange, law office and real estate office. It has been painted in high Victorian colors typical of the time. |
| 18. Lockhart (22 W. Main) James Lockhart became a resident of Angelica in 1828. Since he was a merchant conducting his business in the brick building later known as the Buchannan Store, it was convenient to build his house next door. Dr. Frank Warner lived here for many years and had his dental office in the wing. |
| 19. Cooley (16 W. Main) Now occupied by the American Legion, this house once stood on a portion of the property at 64 W. Main where the Smith house is. Mrs. Smith had the building moved to allow her a better view. Dr. Cooley had his office in a portion of this house that has been removed. |
| 20. Hartshorn (W. Main & Park Circle) Begun in 1849 by Theodore Haight, a tailor, and sold unfinished to the Hartshorns in 1850. The front part stands essentially as built. The original moldings and details are characteristic of the height of the Classic Revival architecture of this area. |
| 21. Post Office (1 W. Main) Built in 1885, this building has been used as a Post Office since 1908. Prior to that it was a bakery. Locally it was referred to as the Lightfoot Building. The pillars on the front are cast iron. |
| 22. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church (Park Circle)
Begun in 1848 on the site of the first county jail, this church was designed by architect Brian Coyle. It was not completed until 1851 and was damaged by fire in 1895 but immediately repaired, and the stained glass windows replaced. It is the oldest Catholic Church in the county. |
| 23. Methodist Church (Park Circle) This is the second Methodist Church to stand on this property. The first, a wooden structure built in 1830, burned and the present church was dedicated in 1873. The parsonage next door was once the home of Judge Collins. Charles d'Autremont had an exchange office in the front near the sidewalk. |
| 24. Dickson (15 South St.) Built in 1903 for D. D. Dickson, a lawyer for the P.S. & N. Railroad. The architect was W. J. Brockett of Rochester. The house has known but three owners and has been little changed, except for the removal of the widow's walk and reconstruction of the front veranda. |
| 25. Scholes (34 South St.) J. W. Scholes bought this property from Patrick Tierney in 1864. It appears another building was located on this site prior to the present house. Scholes and Will Taylor were local carpenters and built many homes in Angelica. For many years it served as a nursing home/hospital. |
| 26. Peabody (37 Park Circle): This Greek Revival was built sometime before 1820 for Amos Peabody, the first county clerk. The roof rafters and cellar joists are logs with the bark still on them. Four fireplaces with one central chimney once served to heat the house. These were removed about 1863. The front porch was added in the late 1920's, replacing one that ran across t1'1e front and down the west side. |
| 27. Jail (Park Circle) Constructed to serve as the county jail about 1820. It was used as such until 1895 when the jail in Belmont was completed. |
| 28. Court House (Park Circle) Angelica was the seat of Allegany County government until 1858, when an act of legislation moved it to Belmont, but for several more years both Angelica and Belmont shared the seat. The building was built in 1819. Originally the front started behind the present stairway, which was added later. The cupola not only added an air of elegance to the building but provided additional lighting for the court room upstairs. It is said that the first Republican Party Convention was held here. Since its abandonment as the court house, it has served as a WWI armory, and as a gymnasium, school, polling place, and town hall. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
| 29. Presbyterian Church (Park Circle & E. Main)
This was the second Presbyterian Church built in Angelica. The first was located east of the Welch house (no.39, below). The Grange acquired the building shortly after the church was dissolved, about 1930, and is actively restoring the structure. The clock, donated by Alpha Morse, still rings out the hour to the village. |
| 30. Parkview (Park Circle & E. Main) Built in 1884 by former Sheriff Joseph Gillies for $10,000. Its general design is a combination of Gothic and Queen Anne. The first story is twelve and one-half feet high. The third floor was used as a private club room, smoking room, and billiards room combined. |
| 31. 8t. Paul's Episcopal Church (Park Circle)
Built in 1847 to replace the 1832 church, destroyed by fire in 1846. The church has many beautiful memorial windows and a small chapel in the rear. In 1847 Mrs. Philip Church wrote to a friend, "The subscription in our village from the different denominations has been so liberal that we shall have a sum sufficient to erect a most hand. some house of worship entirely complete with organ, etc." |
| 32. Park Circle & White St. This property has been the site of several structures over the years. The first gallows in the county were erected and used here, drawing crowds from far away. Two hotels have stood here, the last being the Charles which burned in 1906. Wilsonian High School was here until 1956, and the gymnasium still stands. The house now on the lot was built in 1882 and moved here from the corner of E. Main and Closser Ave. during the construction of the Southern Tier Expressway in 1971. |
| 33. Burr (25 White St.) In 1826 Philip Church deeded the property to Alvan Burr, whose wife was Moses Van Campen's sister Anna. The old section built around 1830 has an L-shaped pantry with a wooden sink, an upstairs bedroom, and a garret. The beams are secured with wooden pegs. The main house was built in 1856. The exterior siding is shiplapped with corners made to resemble brick. |
| 34. Baptist Church (Park Circle) In 1857 the shell was built and two years later, Jan. 20, 1859, the church was completed. Mrs. F. S. Smith gave the large stained glass window about 1900. The parsonage to the right was constructed of wood taken from a Baptist Church razed in Short Tract about 1910. |
| 35. County Clerk’s Office (Park Circle)
Site of the third public building in Allegany County. July 1, 1820, Philip Church gave this lot to the supervisors. The building is of locally-made brick. Lamont G. Raymond, long-time editor and publisher of the "Allegany County Republican", bought it after the clerk's office was moved to Belmont and erected a house around the original structure. Now used by the Baptist Church. |
| 36. Mullender (14 E. Main) Built about 1820; it was the second brick house in the village. It was owned by Dr. William Smith, who was Surgeon General on the staff of Gov. Dix, and later was Health Officer for the Port of New York. Notice the fine doorway that was shortened to allow for the porch. The house has six fireplaces and a cistern in the cellar. |
| 37. Mullender (22 E. Main) John Mullender owned this house as well as the one next door. The rear portion was built in 1806, a small, one story structure. In 1830 the front portion was added and a second story was constructed over the back. Evidence of this is still visible in the back attic room. The house has 28 doors and only eight are without the original latches. There are also three stairways. From 1882 until 1926 it was the Episcopal rectory. |
| 38. Welch (25 E. Main) A fine example of Georgian architecture, this once was the home of J. B. Welch, who came to Angelica in 1835 and served as postmaster. It is apparent from the cellar that this is a house built around a house. The woodwork and some of the fireplaces have been preserved. The cupola was removed. Immediately to the east stood the Presbyterian Church in which Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Prentiss were married in 1836. |
| 39. Van Wickle (30 E. Main) Set far back from the street is Evert Van Wickle's home, built in 1802. Van Wickle was land agent for the Church family. The oldest structure in Allegany County, the house contains five fireplaces, interesting colonial glass window panes, and tumble arches. A log cabin near the street served as the land agent's office. The first county court, first Presbyterian meeting, and first Masonic meeting were all held in this house. |
| 40. Wilson Academy (48 E. Main) The residence of Rev. Lewis Thibou, who became rector of St. Paul's in 1831. In 1886 part of the estate of Rev. Thibou consisting of 13 acres of land and the large brick dwelling was purchased from Sara Scofield, his daughter, and altered for a school. From 1886 to 1909 it housed the 7th, 8th, and all high school classes plus a teachers' training class. Its students numbered up to 100 and its library contained over 1800 volumes. It remained a school until 1909 and is now again a private residence. |
| 41. Miles (83 E. Main) Built in several stages, it is not a large home yet is quite charming. Interesting features are the front door with the sidelights and the small frieze windows under the eaves which are covered with a design in iron. |
| 42. Lounsbury (120 E. Main) In the building boom of 1882 Charles Lounsbury built this Italianate style balloon-frame house. The chestnut studs, plates, joists, rafters, and inside trim, if available today, would cost a small fortune. The barn to the rear was for many years the office of the "Angelica Advocate." |
| 43. Fairgrounds Since 1835 the home of the Allegany County Fair, said to be the oldest continuously operating county fair in the state, if not in the nation. The Shawmut Railroad Association has a restored coach and a replica of an old depot on the grounds, which serve as the association's museum. |
| 44. Common (Common Road) 2.1 miles above the fairgrounds is the stone house Robert Common built for himself in 1831. Coming to Angelica from North Umberland County, England, he built his home reminiscent of those in his native land. The stone probably was cut from the nearby creek. Van Wickle House |
| 45. Until the Day Dawn Cemetery (E. Main St.)
Philip Church gave the original 10 acres, and the cemetery now has 13.8 acres. Many notable persons are buried here, including members of the Church family, Martin Grover, Moses Van Campen, and Calvin Fairbank. |
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| 46. Franklin (228 E. Main) Believed built in the early 1800's. The front door and sidelights and the frieze windows under the eaves are some of the outstanding features. |
| 47. Van Campen (E. Main St.) Built for Allegany County's "Davy Crockett", Moses Van Campen, in 1809. The bricks were made on the farm. The structure indicates the strong character of the builder, in harmony with the stately hallway and rooms within. The hand-worked floors, doors, and casings are in good repair. |
| 48. Shawmut Office (94 South St.) This Queen Anne structure was built in the 1880's as an office for the railroad. Badly damaged by fire in 1909, but many of the important papers remained safe in the two-story brick vault on the north side. |
| 49. Shawmut Depot (Railroad Ave.) This brick depot was built to replace the wooden one that burned in 1910. The tile roof, added for safety, was made in Alfred. |
| 50. Latham (91 South St.) William Latham built this house in 1884 on the site of one that had been torn apart in a tornado. It is said it was built with only one story "so that the next one could not blow it down." The walls are of solid plank laid horizontally. |
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To contact
us: 21 Peacock Hill Road Angelica, NY 14709 Phone:
585-466-7431 COPYRIGHT 2007 VILLAGE OF ANGELICA |
