Past Sites of the Month

Dunning Avenue is famous for its wonderful vintage turn of the century homes, but this one, recently chosen as the November 2011 Site of the month, has always been a favorite. Maybe because of its wonderful old Colonial Revival front porch with the Brazilian teak floor with paired round Doric columns …or maybe the seasonal decorations we can expect to see there. This autumn the decorations consist of corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins and chrysanthemums. The neatly stacked firewood welcomes winter as the beveled glass front door greets guests. The home belongs to Dick and Patti Cataldi who moved into the two and a half story structure home in 1983.
According to a 1902 village map, Andrew Holly owned a frame house at this location –purchasing it in 1890. In 1912 it was sold to James Albright and in 1923 to Russell B. Mason – a name well-known in Webster for many years. In 1928 the home was purchased by Carroll E. Sutter and James C. Bass. After Bass’ death in 1936, Carroll E. Sutter lived there with his wife and children and in 1949 moved his law office and insurance business into the home. He lived there until his death in 1960.
The afternoon the Village Historic Preservation Commission met at Cataldi’s was different from the usual. Ordinarily the Commission meets in front of the house– they talk about the style, and the features of a specific home to be designated as the featured “Site of the Month”, but this time Jude Lancy, Maryjean Yengo, Karl Laurer and Carol Klem were invited inside to take a peek and get the feel of this wonderful home. And yes, “Wonderful” describes it to a T. It has an elegant comforting nonchalance … it’s a home to come home to- a home that welcomes friends. Somehow the Cataldi’s were able to combine the old with the new. Natural woodwork, crown moldings, leaded glass windows, chandeliers in keeping with the period, a large bay window in the parlor lets the sun shine in. Built-in nooks and cupboards and crannies are everywhere. Patti pointed to a closet that was under the beautiful stairway and said “That’s where we keep Christmas.”
The large living room, (sitting room) boasts a wood stove with more leaded glass windows, bookshelves, oriental rugs, complimenting the antiques. And yet a large TV and comfortable leather sectional appear absolutely at home in this vintage home. The star of the show is the kitchen. It once encompassed three separate rooms, a butler’s pantry, a breakfast nook and a working space – it is now a state of the art, marble and cherry cook’s kitchen where French doors lead to a paver patio which again leads to a great back yard. In the back is the carriage house or barn /garage where many village kids played basketball and where Dick Cataldi brought his well known blue-grass country band, “Gone Fishin’” for practice.
The Webster Village Historic Preservation Commission left, once again, understanding why we love and treasure these older beauties that have withstood the test of time and look soooo good.

In early October 2011, Karl Laurer, head of the Webster Village Historic Preservation Commission, along with Jude Lancy, Maryjean Yengo; former historian and member of the commission, Dick Batzing and I (Carol Klem) visited the of home of the late  Dr. John Dunning on the corner of Dunning Avenue and Main Street.

They presented the present owner of this historic home, Terry Maxim, with the Site of the Month distinction; a special designation for homes that are rich in time and history.

You have probably driven by this old home many times and maybe noticed the old cherry tree in the front yard, especially in the spring when it is blossoming.

Maybe you observed the unusual front entrance/porch with twin doors in an Italianate style of architecture which was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture.

Also in the front, a second cottage -type porch invites people to sit down on the swing and enjoy a lemonade. An old plant called Dutchman’s Pipe, popular for centuries, provides privacy.

The house is rich in history because its original owner, Dr. John Dunning, was one of our first village doctors whose family dates back to Colonial Days.  He was born in Webster 1826, and was an impressive and involved public figure, a Baptist and a staunch Democrat. He died in 1901, the oldest member of the Masons.  According to Karl Laurer, he married Hattie Curtice and the couple had two children.

The home is currently owned by Terry Maxim, an expert woodworker and lover of old homes, who owns a number of Webster’s oldest gems. He purchased the house in 1982, and lived in it for eight months while restoring this old Classic Revival Home.  For years now the home has been converted into three apartments.

It was built by Dr. Dunning’s uncle, John Hicks probably in the early 1860s.  The property was part of the Hicks farm that was located on the west side of Dunning Avenue

A number of years ago, a fire almost totaled an addition that Dr. Dunning had built, that was totally separate from his house.  It was located along Dunning Avenue and the east side of the house. A kerosene heater caused the fire and a windy night added to the flames.  Terry’s job was a big one and he stepped up to the plate, reconstructing the structure according to its original structure. During reconstruction he discovered that there had been another fire earlier in its history in approximately 1910.

Terry sided the old home but never removed the original clapboards which keeps the home historically significant.

On Tuesday September 6, 2011, Karl Laurer (then Chairman of the Historical Preservation Commission), Jude Lancy, Maryjean Yengo, Lynn Barton (Village Historian), and our favorite village groupie and concerned citizen, Rick Walter, (and me, Carol Klem) met on Corning Park where a number of Webster’s older homes are located. This home, Number 34, belongs to the Brodners, Bradley and DeMaris and was chosen as the Site of the Month by the commission. The couple plus Izzy, a Bedlington Terrior, a sweetheart of a dog, (that looks like a lamb) live in this charming old home surrounded by flowering purple, pink and white  Rose of Sharon bushes. The old expression “home is where the heart is” rings true for the Brodners. They have lived in many different houses in the past 15 years, and this one twice! This last time – I believe it is for good. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right place. Sometimes you have to move away to see what you have missed. This is the position the Brodners found themselves in.
Karl Laurer calls this two story late 19th century home, “The Painted Lady” – and how perfect a description that is.
Colors, green, blue and white, that one wouldn’t normally expect, unless you were on Martha’s Vineyard or perhaps Key West, gild this particular home with its hipped , gabled roof and wood clapboard siding. The contrasting scalloped siding towards the top of the house contributes to its uniqueness - at least to me…and its likeness to a fairy-tale gives it a special charm.  Lovely old porches (I think I counted three and a new deck), help make the home welcoming and cozy.
There seems to be many reasons this home is significant in our village’s history.  One obvious reason is the beautiful carriage block; the last remaining in the village, sits in front of their home telling of a different age and time.
  If you should walk or drive by, note the gable layout that is enhanced by simple Queen Anne detailing.  Check out the small square window featuring both clear and colored glass panes and the open font porch with turned posts and a lattice- patterned frieze (a line of decoration around the walls of a room or building).
Also, it is hard to miss the marvelous small gabled barn painted in a great barn red with green trim.
The house first appears on a 1902 county map, and at that time the street was known as Academy Street.
The Brodners love their century old home and gratefully accepted the designation.

The Dean House

The Webster Village Historical Preservation Commission is proud to announce the Site of the Month for October 2006.  The Dean house at 93 West Main St. is a unique example of field stone cobblestone with brick corner quoins.  It was built circa 1840.  The owner, Greg Chambery, recognizes its importance and takes great care of the building.  At present, it houses the office of Hilbert Realty.  Pictured with the Site of the Month sign are realtors Chuck Hilbert and Kevin Klem, and former historian Richard Batzing. 

On June 4, 1900, William C. Jayne and George G. Mason formed a partnership and opened the banking house of Jayne and Mason in a building on South Avenue, which later was the location of the Netzman warehouse, remaining there about five years or until the bank building at 11 East Main Street was erected in 1905.  The new building was equipped with a steel lined vault with a heavy York door and time lock.  It was protected by a modern burglar alarm system, and supplied with all modern equipment.
The Jayne and Mason bank was much needed and appreciated by the general public in the territories of West Webster, Union Hill, Ontario, Walworth, Marion, Palmyra and Penfield.  It proved to be a great success from the first day when nearly every business firm in the village and nearby area opened accounts.  Although the bank started in a small way with $5000 capital, it grew in a few years to be a million dollar institution with deposits of over a million and a quarter.
The bank did general banking, financed and handled all five issues of United States Liberty Bonds during World War I, and had banking connections with Chase National Bank of New York City. In the summer of 1930, the banking laws of the State changed and this private bank was forced to close its doors.  In 1934 the New York State Legislature passed a law which permitted city banks to establish branch banks in certain designated trading areas of communities lacking banking facilities.  Webster was selected as the first town in the State to have such a regional bank, and the Union Trust Company of Rochester, part of the Marine Midland Corp. was chosen to open the first bank.
This two story building features the classically inspired detailing found in Beaux Arts style commercial buildings of the late 19th and early 20th century.  The first story features patterned brick walls in a rusticated design, large arched windows and door.  Highly decorated brick lintels surround both the 1st story windows and doorways.  Symmetrically placed 2/2 double hung windows are found in the 2nd story with decorative arched brick lintel and corner quoins.  The buildings cornice included dentil, pointed, and horizontal bands of brick detailing.
The building is without question the village's most sophisticated early 20th century commercial building, and was certainly designed by an architect (whose identity has not been determined), as it shows an awareness of popular commercial building style at that time.
Now the home to Nest Things, a shop filled with lovingly used children’s clothing, decorative items for the home, and many beautiful things, the building stands as proud and beautiful as it did when it first opened its doors in 1905.

F.M. Jones House

The Webster Village Historical Preservation Commission is proud to announce the Site of the Month for December 2006.  The F.M. Jones House at 135 East Main St was built circa 1890.  From 1930 to 1937 it was the Hoffman Hospital, and the first two nurses were Mrs. Rose Jenkins and Mrs. Ethel Hahn.   Dr. Stewart Nash of Rochester conducted tonsil clinics.  After the Hospital closed, the Hoffman house was operated for a short time as a convalescent home. 

The owners, Paul and Amy Scheible, pictured here with their daughter Ava and Joan Sassone 

 240 South Ave

This hidden historical gem, located in the southeast sector of the Village, is nestled amongst mostly mid-20th century residences. The multi-acre property is dotted with numerous mature sycamore, maple, and coniferous trees and the house itself is set back a bit from the roadway. It appears to have been constructed in the 1930s and is characteristic of 1920s-30s Colonial Revival style. Original details include wood shingle siding, louvered shutters, brick end chimneys, and half-fan gable windows.

 The house was built by Thomas N. Nagle, a well-known Webster businessman who owned Amaco Oil Company. He operated a dairy farm on South Avenue from 1942 to 1956. It’s worth noting that the structure is the largest example of the Colonial Revival housing type in the Village of Webster. The handsome landscaping and mature trees add even more character to this shining example of c. 1930s architecture. 

82 North Avenue

The Scott Nicholas salon at 82 North Avenue is the January 2007 site of the month.  It is an excellent example of adaptive re-use.  Owner Scott Pfundtner has made every effort to maintain the character of the former residence.  The architectural style is American four-square.  It has a hipped roof, front porch and dormers.  Scott has the original floor plans for the home which was built in 1914.  This date is documented (in shells) on the front porch peak. 

Marchner House

The house is a gable and side-wing farmhouse, typical of that period but with an added flair - wonderful gingerbread moldings. Tidy, and welcoming with its soft creamy yellow color, it has been in the Marchner family for almost nine decades.

The late Reuben and Cora Marchner moved there practically as newlyweds in 1920 after trying out life in the south and working in the dried apple business.  Their two daughters, Evelyn and Alice were born and raised in the two-story home that is being honored this month as the site of the month by the Webster Village Historic Preservation Commission.

They weren’t the first owners of the home. Records show a man purchased the property by the name of Donovan, probably for whom Donovan Street was later named. Donovan Street was merely a path back when the Marchner girls were young and North Avenue was macadam (a road pavement of layers of compacted broken stone).

Joan Sassone of the Webster Village Historical Preservation Commission figures that the home was built somewhere between 1890 and 1902.

We do know the home was built before Webster Village was incorporated. The home was within walking distance of the Webster train station, and it was the era of the railroad.

A few amazing changes have occurred since that time. When the North Avenue home was built, the Western Frontier had ended and thanks to Susan B. Anthony, women were finally taking their rightful place in the world…a little. Families were sitting in their parlors listening to the phonograph, life expectancy was 47 years; six percent of people graduated from high school and the average working wage was 22 cents an hour.  

So much happens in a hundred years, it is staggering.

Now covered with vinyl siding, "the home remains notable because of its distinctive decorative front porch with unusual cut out railing design," Joan said.  However, as lovely as the home is, the story that can be told about the people who lived and loved within the home, in my estimation, is the real treasure 

Some places just blend into the landscaping – like the night sky or the sunrise. Rarely do I look up and notice the architecture or the fine points of a building that I’ve seen for decades. Recently the Webster Village Historic Preservation Commission named the neighborhood watering hole, Burke’s Bar and Grill also known as the Burke Building, and the “Hosenfeld Block” as their Site of the month. A number of old charming places have been honored by the committee but few have been more fun to visit than, what the late Jack Burke called, “the elegant lounge in the heart of downtown Webster.”  Danny Burke and his daughter Kelly Burke House had a yummy drink waiting for us displaying a touch of down-home Burke hospitality. A serious game of cards was going on in a back corner, and a long row of patrons, regulars, were doing a little imbibing perched on the barstools that had been there for decades.  At our end of the bar, in the back corner, an unlikely group of ladies had assembled to hear the life story of the building. For some like Maryjean Yengo and Joan Sassone, it was their first time in the saloon. For Jude Beh Lancey, Lynn Barton and I, although not frequent patrons we had been there from time to time.
The building, according to records from the town historian, Lynn Barton, indicates that it is of the simple utilitarian design - an early 20th century commercial building. On the top of the building is a cast stone plaque with the wording “Hosenfeld Block 1919” showing the year that the building was built. The Hosenfeld Block is an example of a number of early 20th century commercial blocks, which was constructed with relatively plain detailing. It features a minimum of details; simple patterned brick cornice, cast stone name plaque and large plate glass store front windows. It is notable that this building has retained its original storefront window and door configuration. The building represents a rare surviving example of a relatively intact early 20th century commercial building in the village.
It is figured that Frank Hosenfeld either built it or had it built and ran it as a grocery store.  After that, it was a car dealership:  Henner's Pontiac.  Then it became a bar run by Frank Forman and Tubby (Carroll) Wright.  It was also a pool hall. In 1929, Jack Burke rented space from Frank Hosenfeld and started his barbershop. Upstairs, his wife, Marguerite, (known affectionately as Ma Burke), raised their eight sons. Ten years later Jack Burke purchased the building from F. Hosenfeld. Marguerite and her son Bob bought the bar from Tony Grabowski. Kelly is the current manager however her experienced dad, Danny is always there with advice and a helping hand. Recently she approached Richard Dash, of the former Dash’s Donuts fame to help with some remodeling.  Richard, a carpenter has made some impressive changes in the décor of the front of the bar … a little refurbishing here, a little patching there, and repairing the old woodwork has made a world of difference.  It is hard to believe that the front window once held the coal bin.  

Jude Beh Lancy remembers an old air-conditioned that used to drip on you…Dick fixed that too. “I was excited to do what I did here,” he said. Dick wants to take the building “back in time.” Restore the old tin ceilings. “When the time comes, I want to bring this back …” he said. Kelly’s all for it and hopes to give the pub “a woman’s touch” – she is into safeguarding the past  ... so of course our preservation ladies were delighted to say the least. She is also looking forward to the time when she can put down “a beautiful new floor.” Kelly is a lady with ideas and taste.

Many stories can be told about the building and a lot have been told about the woman who lived upstairs, Ma Burke.  For a few years I was honored to celebrate her birthday with her and to enjoy a Monday night dinner at her popular table with other friends. Ma loved telling stories of years ago, when women wore hats, when they strolled down Main Street and men tipped theirs as she walked by. She remembered watching from her window as Main Street was paved for the first time. Ma died at in October, 2004 at 106. Danny is the only son who survived her.
Her upstairs apartment wasn’t what one would expect being above a bar. She had oriental rugs and beautiful Italian leather furniture and she prided herself on her good taste.
She would be happy to see Kelly, her granddaughter taking over.  She would also be happy to see that we were given coasters – a little touch of class, to set our goblets on at the corner bar

80 East Main St

Located in the northeast quadrant of the village, this 1936 building is in the central business district in an area of mixed commercial and residential uses. This quaint, charming building was constructed in the ‘Tudor Revival’ style popular in the 1920-1940s. Looking like something out of a children’s story, it features half-timbered gables, diamond-paned windows and cast stone sills. Although modest in size, it is one of the most distinctive and immediately recognizable in the village. It’s the only commercial building in the village that is constructed in the early 20th century Revival style.
This building was opened for business on August 31st, 1936 when it became the new exchange for the Rochester Telephone Company’s service to the Webster area. At that time, there were 944 subscribers.
The Telephone Company continued to operate out of the building until 1961, when the new dial office at 833 Ridge Road was opened.
Subsequently, the building at 80 East Main Street was converted into offices for Barrett, Maier, and Barrett attorneys in the 1970s. To this day, the building functions as the Barrett Law Office, P.C. John M. Barrett is the first member of a third generation family of lawyers to practice in Webster.

Finn's has been chosen as the November Site of the Month for the Webster Village Historical Preservation Commission.  Wilfred Finn and George Finn started the business in 1939.  It was a Texaco gas station.  They also serviced cars and began a towing business in the early 1940's.  When Wilfred and George retired in 1985, Tim Finn (George's son) took over the business.  When Tim retired in 2006, his son Kevin took over the business.  The gas pumps were removed in the late 1980's and it became a service center.  When the gas station opened in 1939, five gallons of gas could be purchased for $1.00.  A house and barn belonging to Earl Smith's brother's family was originally on the property. 

Pictured are Tim Finn, Kevin Finn and Wilfred Finn, three generations of owners of the Finn Garage and Servic Center Inc. at 45 East Main St., Webster.