The first homes built here were crude cabins of wood cut from the land on which they were erected. But soon, they became more elaborate and graceful. Early settler John Hulet was a millwright and carpenter whose skills were in great demand as more and more people arrived. And by the early 1820s sawmills were needed to meet the demands for frame houses.
While most of these homes have long since made way for modern houses, there are enough examples of early buildings to bring back memories.
Several houses in the Pearl and Grafton Road areas reflect the early 1800s style of the day. One of the largest homes which can be seen today is at the corner of Substation and Center Road, known as the Fadner house. It features doric columns with Greek revival front doorway and second floor "eyebrow" windows. The structure is nearly 150 years old and has the original sandstone foundation.
THE BENNETT House at 198 Pearl Rd., north of Mapleside Farms was the residence of William Bennett, a township trustee for many years.
At Mapleside, the original Tillotson Well can be found as well as a genuine 200-plus year old black oak tree. The well was a stopping off place for travelers.
The Waite residence on North Carpenter Road was a typical farmhouse of the mid 1800s, and the Bennett's Corners church parsonage was a one-room schoolhouse which was closed in 1923 and converted later into use as the parsonage.
The Rogers House at 402 W. 130th St. is over 125 years old and the south side of the yard has a stone watering trough which was used by passersby in the 1800s at W. 130th and Rt. 303. And the Benjamin House at 922 W. 130th, recently remodeled, is 127 years old.
(PHOTO)The Norman Chidsey Home is at 2050 W. 130th St.
THE NORMAN Chidsey House at 2050 W. 130th was built in 1835 by Chidsey when he came to Brunswick from Pompey, N.Y. A half mile east of Pearl Road on Sleepy Hollow is the Seymour Knox farm which was cleared for building in 1832. The present home on the property was built in 1877.
Gone, however, are some of the loveliest homes, especially near the center of town. The Babcock House stood at the corner of Old Phoenix Bank and was a full two story, nearly square building with a hip roof. Tall ceilings and hand finished wood work were features of the home. A hand dug fresh water well was dug inside the pantry.
The Johnson and Perkins homes, torn down to make way for Cardinal Federal Savings and Loan were two of the most beautiful homes in the area with leaded glass windows, among other features. And the brick homes of the Shermans at W. 130th and Rt. 303 are gone.
But you can still see original beams in the Fuller home, for instance, or enjoy the restoration of the Lance Building as a reminder of our past.
(PHOTO) The Fadner House is located at 4821 Center Rd. at Substation.
(PHOTO) The Babcock House, formerly at Pearl and Center Roads.
