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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSD-4 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY BUILDING-STRUCTURE INVENTORY FORM SD 4 UNIQUE SITE NO. /0310-rb'%6/6 "DIVISION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION QUAD " NEW YORK STATE PARKS AND RECREATION SERIES ALBANY,NEW YORK (51 S)474-0479 NEG. NO. YOUR NAME: Town of Southald.&FLIA DATE:Oc.-tnber 1986 YOUR ADDRESS: Town Halla Main Road TELEPHONE(516)765-1892 Southold, L. I. , N.Y. 11971 ORGANIZATION (if any): South ld Town Community Deme1 e IDENTIFICATION 1. BUILDING NAME(S): L. I. Doll Hospital =Wi11"- S 2. COUNTY: Suffolk TOWN/CITY: Southo _ _,E: Southold (Ppconic) 3. STRI:I-'T LOCATION: Main Road■ Route 25, corner of Maple Ave. (e st) 4. OWNERSHIP: a. public ❑ h private 12 5. PRESENT OWNER: J. Davis ADDRESS: Main Road 6. USI:: Original: Store Present: StOrp 7. ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC: Exterior visible from public road: Yes El No ❑ Interior accessible: Explain DESCRIPTION K. BUILDING a. clapboard ❑ b. stone ❑ c. brick ❑ d. board and batten ❑ MATERIAL.: e. cobblestone ❑ f. shingles 0 g. stucco ❑ other: rl. STRUCTURAL a. wood frame with interlocking joints 91 SYSTEM: b, wood frame with light members ❑ (if kn(wri) c. masonry load bearing walls L� d. metal (explain) e. other 10. CONDITION: a. excellent X b. goad ❑ C. fair ❑ d. deteriorated ❑ H. INTEGRITY: a. original site ❑ b, moved 91 if so,when? Circa 1875, from c. list major alterations and dates (if known): opposite PAconic Lane. SD-RSM IV-3 12. PHOTO: From south—west 13. MAP: N.Y.S. DOT Southold Quad Front and wastern nlpvation Q' a • �` n q Y re • ry� rn 1. r � FR En _ South 4;rbor� p 3 Park+ - � •ri —oA _ p4 f � Y rte. ... . S17 4 14. THREATS TO BUILDING: a.none known ® b.zoning ❑ c. roads ❑ d. developers ❑ e. deterioration ❑ f. other: 15. RELATED OUTBUILDINGS AND PROPE=RTY: a. barn® b. carriage house ❑ c. garage ® (attached d. privy ❑ e. shed ❑ f. greenhouse ❑to main building) g- shop ❑ h. gardens ❑ i. landscape features: j. other: 16. SURROUNDINGS OF THE BUILDING (check more than one if necessary): a.open land ❑ b. woodland Q c.scattered buildings d.densely built-up ❑ e. commercial ❑ f. industrial ❑ g. residential ❑ Ii.other: 17. INTI.RRELATIONSIIIP OF BUILDING AND SURROUNDINGS: (Indicate if building or structure is in an historic district) This is a low density agricultural area. Route 25 was tho historic King's Highway in Colonial times. Iii. OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES OF BUILDING AND SITE (including interior features if known): 11=story, gable roof commercial building, gable end to the str-et. Store front with original store windows. Hip roof porch with turned posts on west rear of building. SIGNIFICANCE 1 56 111. DATE OF INITIAL CONSTRUCTION: ARCI IITECT: BUILDER: 20, HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE: A plaque reads -. "Miss Nellie Williams Store Alvin Squires 1856 Movpd c. 1875, became store of William C. Williams" SPe attached for historical importance. 21. SOURCES: R.C. Newell. Rose Rempmbers . 1976 Guide to Historic Markers. Southold Historical Socpty. 1960 *Conversation with Mrs. J. Davis 9/8/86 22. 1_Hf Nlr: Form prpparad by Rosemary Skye Moritt, research assistant. SD ¢ r e Collecting les Historian the penalty for the theft of historic gravestones.Besides a heavy fine, we are asking for a five-year jail sentence. "We were unhappy about the article on gravestone collecting in your February issue since it was not clearly i established that this practice is both immoral and illegal. It "Most consider this not a good antique item" (the un- derstatement of the year). -401=7„� ""If I am informed that ^ "" anyone on Long Island is sel- ling an antique gravestone,I will personally start legal proceedings against them- "This is one step beyond the collecting of rubbings" and, -- hopefully,the step is through NOW LISTED AS AN Historic Landmark structure, the lailhouse door." Miss Neltie William's General Store is due to he restored Editors note from T this spring [t will then be utilized as an antiques shop. O'Brien: "F agree w" an This early t90Qs photo shows Miss Williams proudly this, point a ew about holding up the front porch. this,and I e the article by write chael was not inter- d as acondonation of the Landmark����a practice."' Restored to be Antique Shop the BlocMiss Nellie William's 1856 when she opens later this it A�LSC tLo n General Store on the North spring. Fork will soon be the new "We plan to restore the home of Jan Davis Antiques. building back to its general Hitchcock side chair, a The historic structure, lo- store appearance before we igned, circa 1990 hobnail cated on the main road half- open,"says Jan Davis."The est,a Duncan Phyfe dining way between Southold and building has a lot of the origi- le, aVictorian Walnut peconic, was recently nal counters and bins still !ser,a collection of small purchased by the Davis fam- there, and we plan to utilize kive rugs,an 1850s quilt ily and is currently undergo- them in our new shop. But set of McCoy pottery, in restoration to its early most importantly,we want to clocks, dolls, books, appearance. preserve this historic land- paintings and When William A. Williams mark and the genial,friendly L.I . Heritage opened the store, his spirit that it possessed for 'ded in the sale is neighbors predicted that he more than 100 years as the March 1983 . er Liebframilch "would not a nickel in local, general store." ,oden rocking the store" at that location, The general store is about a Royal Wor- but he did and the business half mile west of Davis's old sh, andirons prospered. Those were the location at the edge of South- 't," and a days when a dozen eggs old. She closed her shop in would cost you 12 cents and that location in mid- nation on beef cost about 10 cents a February so she would have istorical pound. time to work on the new(old) Nobody is bold enough to location. tell Jan Davis that"she won't A new antique shop, with make a nickel in that loca- .Teff McNally and Fraser tion." In fact, most are say- Hunter as proprietors, has ing she will do quite well opened in that location. All n.,._. C...1.. A....�..,.. ..� "� SD 4 PECONIC (HERMITAGE) NOTE: The Old Souses and auiidings bearing Historic Marken and the Properties designated by Roadside Site Markers are not open for public historical inspection unless otherwise stated. 52. MISS NELLIE WILLIAMS' STORE Alvin Squires' 1856 Moved c. 1875, Became Store of William A. Williams. (Miss Nellie Williams' Store, Main Road, half-way between Southold and Peconic.) Miss Nellie Williams' Store began its history as Alvin Squires' store in 1856 when it stood first as a part of the Squires homestead about opposite Hermitage (Peconic) Lane on the Main Road. Alvin Squires came from Good Ground to Hermitage (Peconic) in 1856 with his fami'.y and his second i wife, Mary Jennings. He bought the Jennings farm lands of 100 acres which ran to Hutchinson's Creek, built a large home and had a store by the road side. He died in 1874. His son, James, inherited the farm; eventually purchased by George H. Wells at a later date. The house was destroyed by fire. Wililiam A. Williams, born 1845 in New York, was in Southold as a young boy, went back to the city but returned in 1874 with his wife, Sarah Anna Booth, and first child, Elnora. He bought a house and 10 acre farm half-way to Peconic and soon purchased and moved the Alvin Squires' store to its present site west of his home. His neighbors pre- dicted he "would not make a nickle on the store" in that location, but he did l Mr. Williams was thr fty and he became one of Southold's leading business men of the village. Those were the days when eggs sold for 12c. per doz. and beef, lOc. per pound. The big, red coffee mill ground coffee not too far from to order and there was the barrel of molasses the barrel of kerosene; with hardware, harness, a cobbler shop (Gus Hommel) at the rear of the store. Eleven children were raised in the Williams home. William A.'s brother Henry and his brother Lewis each had a home across the road. This was a Williams family center. The store far nearly $ years te ownership and carries the geial, friendly spirit of hold country ore. 49 Guide to Historic Markers,_Southold Historical SQciety.' 1960 SD 4 and string b, wasn't invent A large wedge from smoked bee basket on at A little farther on there is an old country store which has crackers car been owned by one family and run continuously for about a pan of the r hundred years. The nine children of the Williams family were not too nea born in downtown New York City, from 1837 to 1850. Three brought yo+ died in infancy. William Augustus, the youngest, was only a Prices boy when both parents died and the children were thrown on cents a doz their own resources. The oldest, 'Frederick, was already a suc- ter. 5 poen cessful merchant in New York and he helped to start his bro- Then thers in various businesses. dren who s William A. came to Peconic to work as a farm boy, but he for a licoric wanted to become a merchant like his brother Fred. He was in- mallow co dustrious and thrifty and in 1875 he started the general store ledgers of 1 which has been in active use ever since. In 1870 he had married a Besid( Southold girl, Sarah Booth, and they beat the record of his include hai parents, with eleven children, losing two at an early age. The Uncle birth record was kept up by his oldest daughter, Elnora who tools and also had eleven children, by Ad Baker, and that's why there are soon a sh, so many Bakers in Southold now! boots, as v Uncle Will's store (I'm the grandaughter of one of his The brothers) was a general Emporium. Along one side were shelves always a and a counter containing dry goods and notions. On the oppo- gathered site counter stood the big, red coffee grinder. It was fun to group in( watch as Uncle Will gave the pair of large wheels a starting whirl Elijah Hu and to hear the grinding sound diminish until the wheels were Alvah Te rotating silently and gradually slowed to a stop. Then he drewsailed the out the little drawer at the bottom and the fragrance of the The freshly ground coffee permeated the air. The beans, different boxes (ui varieties, were mixed to the customer's taste. The coffee was horse an put in a paper bag, and as soon as you got home you transferred liams chi it to a carefully saved tin or glass jar so it wouldn't lose its tary gra( strength and aroma. On the shelves tin canisters held the coffee bought beans and different blends of teas. Dry groceries such as baking their scl" soda, cornstarch,chocolate,baking powder, etc., were packaged, "Daisy." and there were a few canned vegetables, principally tomatoes on Satui N. R. C. Newwll. Rose Remembers. 1976 — 74— SD 4 and string beans, but many supplies came in bulk. Cellophane �] wasn't invented till the 1920's. A large slicing knife lay handy for cutting the desired r . wedge from the wheel of cheese or slices from the hunk of smoked beef hanging overhead. The customers came in with basket on arm to carry home their purchases. Sugar, flour and re which has crackers came in barrels and were weighed out in the brass for about a pan of the balance scales. Hogsheads of molasses, vinegar, and— family were not too near—kerosene, stood in the back storeroom, and you 1850. Three brought your own jugs or jars for these items. was only a Prices in the 1880's now seem fantastic. Eggs were 12 thrown on cents a dozen, raisins 54 a pound, prunes 4 pounds for a guar- -eady a suc- ter. 5 pounds of beef 50¢. Two dozen clothespins cost 5 cents. art his bro- Then there was the candy counter, important to the chil- dren who sometimes had a penny to spend or an egg to barter goy, but he for a licorice stick, a jawbreaker, or a pink banana-shaped marsh- He was in- mallow confection. These prices were taken from the old neral store ledgers of W.A. Williams. f married a Besides the barrels in the back room the stock grew to ord of his include hardware, harness, garden tools and seeds. y age. The of Uncle Will also managed to find room to set up cobbler's Inora who tools and started Gus Hummel in business. Gus did so well that there are ;. boon a shop was built for him where he made fine shoes and boots, as well as repairing old ones. ne of his The big, pot-bellied stove in the center of the store was ,re shelves g, always a social center for the men of the neighborhood who the o ppo- gathered there evenings to discuss the news of the day. This is fun to group included Ben Case, Benny Moore, Lewis Goldsmith, ing whirl Elijah Hutchinson, Charlie Overton, Charlie Corey, Ben Corey, eels were Alvah Terry and Captain Horton of South Harbor who had he drew sailed the Seven Seas. e of the The Williams store furnished the convenience of mail Different `' boxes (unofficial) for its neighbors and the mail was brought by ffee was horse and wagon from the Post Office daily. When the Wil- rnsferred liams children began to grow up and had finished the Elemen- lose its tary grades at the nearby Locust Grove school, their father e coffee bought a pony and cart to take them to Southold to continue ; baking their schooling. The picture shows Louise and Nellie driving ckaged, "Daisy." They brought the mail after school on weekdays, and �matoes on Saturday morning drove around taking orders for groceries. n�. .a — 7b — R. C. Newpll. Rose Remembprs. 1976 SD 4 3, G fi people �r quote Mrs, C * r { am-Mi w 'th dollar of$4- `" $1 OX C F. i n a price rang( �, r for 1 horn spec mos Nellie and Louise driving "Daisy". grol low In 1906 Uncle Will opened a Shoe and Clothing Store in Rol Southold village,and the little Peconic store was rented for years to succeeding proprietors;—his nephew Fred Williams; Andy Case, grocer; Kress, the tailor. In 1933 a younger daughter, Miss Nellie Williams, after a business career in New York, took over t e stare and still operating it,* Her pleasant ways and the long ours s e ceeps attract many customers although her stock is more limited than it was in her father's time. The doorbell rings frequently from early in the morning till nightime. The neigh- bors run in for eggs, bread, cookies and ice cream; and truck drivers stop for a quick snack of soda pop, sweet crackers and potato chips. *Miss Nellie recently had to close the store because of illness, and it is much missed. — 76 — R. C. NPwPll. Rose RPmembars. 1976