USA > New York > Monroe County > Brighton > Sesquicentennial History of the Town of Brighton, Monroe County, New York, 1814-1964 > Part 3
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Austin Crittenden was the town supervisor from 1871-1872 and was also the first trustee of No. 4 School in Brighton, which is now named for him. He gave the land for this school. The first school board meeting was held in his home.
Only three families have resided in this house, namely the Crittendens for 57 years, the Hills for 42 years, and the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Strong, for 35 years. This house is one of the early homesteads in West Brighton.
This home is noted for its fine carpentry, and the delicacy and balance of its design, an exceptional reflection of Federal Period grace in what was then recently-settled territory.
[33]
MR. AND MRS. HARRY RICE, JR. 2005 Westfall Road
The history of this house goes back to 1804, the date when it was built. In 1867 the property was purchased by Robert Polen for his family and in 1882 John Evershed became the owner. For many years the land here was known as the "Evershed Farm." The Westfall Road section was the scene of many farms, of which there are a few still operating. The Evans family acquired this land in 1924 and after World War II the property was developed as the Evans Farm Tract.
There is an interesting architectural feature in the basement of the house. The ceiling is supported by cross beams made from seven trees. The house has been completely remodeled recently into a most livable, Colonial home with a terrace and a pine kitchen. The present owners, who purchased the house in 1961, have done nothing to it but enjoy the fruits of the former owners' labors.
[34]
NUMBER NINE SCHOOLHOUSE Mr. and Mrs. Frederick G. Pickles . 490 French Road
Here is a 60-year-old schoolhouse that has been converted into a charming home. The first owners, Mr. and Mrs. Dowdy, acquired the schoolhouse in 1949. It had not been used in 10 years, and the "remains" of education were just as they were. The desks were still nailed to the floor and the pot-bellied stove was in the rear of the 15-feet-high single room.
Mr. and Mrs. Pickles have remodeled the building, adding a bedroom upstairs, replacing and leveling the original first floor, and they are at present making a dining room out of the downstairs bedroom.
[35]
MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND QUICK 1564 East River Road
In 1842 this house was built with its cobblestone foundation, an architectural trait of this area of that period. Generally the cobblestones were picked up from fields nearby.
Its site on the banks of the Genesee gave it an interesting outlook in the days of early Brighton.
Interesting details on the exterior are the beautiful iron grills in the "lie on your stomach windows."
[36]
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM S. ROBY, JR. 248 Landing Road South
History records that the Roby house was built in 1800 by one Abel Eaton and then was purchased by Mathew Dryer in 1817. Thus it was handed down for five generations to become eventually the property of Theodore Benedict, Jr., until 1933.
The original farm of 100 acres was full of springs, all of which were tribu- taries of the historic Rattlesnake Creek. The property is located two miles south of old Tryon Town.
This house is one of the most charming homesteads still standing as a tribute to early Brighton craftsmanship. Its beams and walls are held together with hand-wrought nails, and the doors all have hand-wrought latches. The floors are of oak and pine.
Mr. and Mrs. Roby have filled the rooms with many fine old antiques and have retained much of the original charm and feeling.
[37]
MR. AND MRS. MARO S. HUNTING 1237 Clover Street
金10張
The property on which this house was originally built was deeded in 1812 to Andrew Kingsbury, Treasurer of the State of Connecticut, and passed on through several hands until 1856, when Roswell and Belvidere Hart pur- chased it and resold it to Joseph Farley, Sr. He then sold to Charles Hooker in 1857.
The original part of this house was owned by the parents of Miss Kate Hooker, who still resides in the family home at the corner of Highland Avenue and Clover Street. It is said that the two older Hookers were born in this house, which later was used as the office for the Hooker Nursery.
In 1926, Mr. and Mrs. Hunting purchased and remodeled the house exten- sively, retaining much of the old, but adding the brick wing and garage. There is an intriguing stairway with a low rail around the second floor land- ing. Here one will see the original window into which a young Hooker lass carved her initials.
In 1948, the wooden wing to the north was added. This addition was almost a complete five-room house. This is a beautifully landscaped and gracious home.
[38]
MANOR HOUSE Mr. Robert G. Hobstetter . 1600 Highland Avenue
Mr. Hobstetter purchased this house in 1959 and has decorated it in soft blues and golds, which makes an elegant background for his fine sculpture and furniture collection. The house was built in or about 1845. Architectural evi- dence reveals that the house grew like "Topsy" from a small beginning to its present stately appearance.
超11點
Legend has it that the house was the summer residence of Philander Davis. The earliest resident was Jason Baker, Esq., Brighton supervisor in 1849. Augusta Barnum Taylor, descendant of Dr. Ebenezer Bowen, Town Clerk of Brighton from 1854 to 1856, lived in this house from 1861 until about 1875 when she moved elsewhere, at the age of fourteen. The original property went from Culver Road, then a toll plank road, to Harvard Street, Winton Road and back to Highland Avenue.
An interesting architectural detail is that each room is seventeen feet square with the exception of the drawing room which is 17 feet by 34 feet.
With its outstanding site, commanding a view for miles to the south, this was one of the most striking mansions of the 19th century in Monroe County.
[39]
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM S. LITTLE 2762 Elmwood Avenue
出12號
The Little house was originally a tenant house on the 100-acre farm belong- ing to Henry Donnelly, Mrs. Little's great-great-grandfather. The property was deeded to them by Andrew Kingsbury, Treasurer of Connecticut, on March 13, 1812. Later 50 acres of this property was deeded to Hiram Peck, Mrs. Little's great-grandfather, in 1826.
The original farmhouse stood near the corner of Elmwood and Monroe Avenues.
The tenant house probably was built around 1870. The original part of the house is the main part of the present house and was remodeled in 1936. Addi- tions were made in 1948 and 1959.
[40]
MR. AND MRS. ARNOLD B. SWIFT 661 Highland Avenue
This charming brick residence was built about 1830 by David Hagaman, son of John Hagaman, who built the brick house which stands on the corner of Highland and Clinton Avenues. The property on which this house stands was once part of the Hagaman farm, the whole property having been divided equally among the Hagaman children.
The bricks for this house were made from clay from the farm and were fired in Gideon Cobb's kiln. An interesting architectural feature of the house is that it was built with no ridge pole. Other unique and lovely features are the moldings around the windows and the basement floor, which is bricked in a herringbone pattern.
Truly because of the early history of Brighton, of which the family was an important part, this house, which its present owners have furnished so beau- tifully, should not be missed.
313
[41]
WARRANT HOMESTEAD Miss Cora Warrant . 1956 West Henrietta Road
※14號
The Warrant Homestead was built by Thomas White Warrant when he set- tled in Brighton in 1819. The family first built a log cabin at the present site. The house was completed in 1821.
The house was originally L-shaped and was lined with brick. Before the Civil War a room was added to the first and second floors to make it square. The house was covered with wood, and a cupola placed on top.
The interior was remodeled about 1908 to make one room across the front. In the early days, an iron fireplace in the "sitting room" was used for cooking. This was replaced by a wooden one, followed by a marble one to match the one in the parlor when the house was enlarged. The boards are hand-hewn and the beams in the cellar are still carrying the bark of the local beech trees,
This house was a station on the Underground Railroad which helped to smuggle escaped slaves to freedom in Canada.
[42]
N
MR. AND MRS. MAURICE L. GILLESPIE 1415 Crittenden Road
Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have owned this charming farmhouse for three years, and they are the third owners. It was originally on Crittenden property which was deeded from Chauncey Crittenden to Aaron Greene on January 10, 1832.
Mrs. Gillespie, in restoring the house, has made braided rugs and has col- lected and refinished pieces of furniture in keeping with this charming landmark.
$315
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1
d
4
MR. AND MRS. RICHARD VAN DE CARR 281 Edgewood Avenue
超16路 In 1845, Joseph E. Evans, Sr. brought his bride to live in this little house. Shortly thereafter, the house, being too small, was moved from its original location - now 333 Edgewood Avenue - to its present site and a new house was built on the old foundation.
In 1945, William Evans, a descendant of Joseph Evans, acquired the house. It has been remodeled from time to time and has a quality of the simple charm of an early Brighton house.
[44]
LANDMARKS OF EARLY BRIGHTON See Map, Page 26
MR. AND MRS. MITCHELL WILLIAMS Hoyt Place
This beautiful house on its imposing elevation held a place of great importance to the early history of Brighton. Its location on the Erie Canal and adja- cent to the Brighton cemetery and the old Congre- gational Church made it one of the most conspicu- ous homes of early days. It has been carefully re- paired and restored.
OLIVER CULVER HOUSE Miss Elizabeth G. Holahan 70 East Boulevard
Oliver Culver, Brighton's first supervisor, built this elegant Federal mansion. It was originally built on the northwest corner of East Avenue and Culver Road, then part of Brighton, in 1815. For 129 years it housed Culver descendants. It was moved to its present site in 1906.
Miss Holahan acquired the house in 1945 and has completely and beautifully restored it. It is filled with antiques and many of the hangings and up- holstery materials were woven especially for the house by Frances Scalamandre. Oliver Culver's por- trait hangs in the front hall.
So exquisite is the architecture of this house that measured drawings of various parts of the house were made by the Department of Interior to be kept in the Library of Congress.
[45]
THE JOHN HAGAMAN HOUSE Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Adams 895 Highland Avenue
In 1814, John Hagaman brought his wife to a log cabin near the place where in 1826 he built the beautiful brick house which is being so carefully restored today by Mr. and Mrs. Adams.
John Hagaman owned most of the property along Highland Avenue and Clinton Avenue. This land was known as Hagaman's Corners. Several of his children had homes on the property, among them, David, whose house is being seen on this tour. When the restoration of this home is completed, Brighton will have a museum piece to treasure. The details which are being carefully watched over and thought out by Mrs. Adams include such things as original glass of this period in all the windows, wrought iron latches, and old doors from similar old houses and buildings. Already restored are two complete baking ovens and two fireplaces.
[46]
BRIGHTON TOWN OFFICIALS
SUPERVISOR Leonard A. Boniface
TOWN CLERK Lawrence Mooney
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK
Rose Hallock
JUSTICES OF PEACE
John J. Darcy Thomas F. Hanna Harold S. Coyle
TOWN ATTORNEY
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS
John H. Shirley
DEPUTY HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
Warren Mack
TOWN ENGINEER
John W. Fisher
CHIEF OF POLICE
Carlton L. Fitch
ASSESSOR
Richard C. Wiles
TOWN BOARD
Oswald J. Gendreau
Robert T. Headley
John C. McNab William C. Warren
TOWN HISTORIAN PLANNING BOARD
Mrs. Claude Schmitt
Allen Macomber, Chairman John A. Baker
George B. Gardner
Harold F. Grunert
YOUTH AGENCY
Barnet Levy Mrs. Burton Kaplan
LIBRARIAN
Mrs. Charles Vaughn
[47]
BRIGHTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
There is little early history of the Police Department, but at the first town meeting on April 14th, 1814, Enos Blossom was appointed constable. Thus began our first police protection. Four years later four constables were ap- pointed. They were Enos Blossom, Collector; David Bush, Daniel Hibbard, and Richard Cornwall.
A. E. Babcock was appointed first police commissioner and supervisor. His police force was trained at Convention Hall in Rochester by the city's force.
In 1932, under the guidance of Chief Vincent Conklin, the Brighton Police Department was reorganized and headquarters established at the old Town Hall on Monroe Avenue near Hollywood Avenue.
Today the Brighton Police Department has its headquarters in the Town Hall on Elmwood Avenue. Its chief is Carlton L. Fitch. Serving under him are two lieutenants, four sergeants, one detective and nineteen patrolmen - making a force of twenty-five men, plus twelve school guards, and four desk clerks. The police force has seven squad cars and two motorcycles.
Under the guidance of the late Gordon Snyder, the Brighton Youth Group was organized. The department has long had an interest in the young people in Brighton.
BRIGHTON, N.Y.
[48]
BRIGHTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Town of Brighton has had fire protection since 1896 when the Village of Brighton organized two companies. One was called the Actives No. 1, and the other was the Citizens Hose Company. There were thirty-three members in the Actives. The Brighton Fire Department was reorganized in 1925. The newly formed department, wanting to name themselves the Brighton Fire Department, went to the old Brighton Actives, who were incorporated under that name, at East Avenue and Winton Road, and persuaded them to sur- render their charter. Their territory was now part of Rochester and protected by Rochester Fire Department Hose #19. Thus the three present-day compa- nies were formed. They are No. 1 Company at Landing Road and East Ave- nue, No. 2 Company at Winton Road and Elmwood Avenue, and No. 3 Com- pany at Blossom Road and Clover Street,
In 1925, three commissioners were elected and a bond issue for $90,000 to build and equip three fire houses was approved. The three men who were elected were Fred K. Townsend, Chairman; Amos Cobb, and William Farley. Howard Converse was named chief.
The only opposition to this necessary group was from Home Acres, Bel Air and Roselawn. The Rochester Fire Department had been answering calls there for $50. Shortly thereafter, Rochester refused, and these districts were glad to come into our department.
Much of the early education and training was done by Glen Ewell, who was chief from 1928 to 1940. Today the Brighton Fire Department is directed by the Brighton Fire Commission, a five-man committee chaired by Martin Hendrikson. The fire chief is Donald DeHollander. There are three houses, six fire trucks, thirty-one paid firemen, and one hundred and five volunteers.
[49]
WEST BRIGHTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
The West Brighton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was founded in 1926 by a group of men living in what was known as West Brighton. This section was bounded by Genesee Valley Park, East River Road, Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road and Clinton Avenue.
Before No. 1 Firehouse was built, the organization met at the River Park Hotel which still stands on East River Road. These volunteers proudly an- swered calls in a 1924 Ford Model T, the body of which was obtained from the City of Rochester. Their helmets were "hand-me-downs" - as was their hose box. They used a hand siren, owned one axe and a 60-gallon chemical tank and a booster line.
The money for this first truck was contributed by the Town Board out of their own pockets. The members of this board were Byron Howard, Super- visor; Karl Marcus, Town Clerk; Clarence Miller, George M. Keller, Glen Ewell and William Rodell.
As the years progressed No. 2 Firehouse was built on West Henrietta Road. This could house two trucks and had a small room in the rear. A 1927 GMC and a 350-gallon front end pump were acquired. Four more trucks have been added between 1941 and 1961, giving the department four pumpers and one emergency truck.
The Department's future plans are for another truck in 1965 and a building on West Henrietta Road containing a meeting hall and a recreation room.
Wayne Clapp is President of the organization and George M. Uhl is Fire Chief. Their purpose is "Prevention of fire, preservation of life and property and to make the Town of Brighton a better place in which to live."
[50]
WORLD WAR II VETERANS (Died in Service)
Thomas Abel James Albright Varian Austin
Neil Dear
Joseph Morton
Robert Decker
Joseph Myler, Jr.
Sherill Dengler
Robert Relyea
Paul Baker
George Eike
Donald Rice
Bernard Barney
Richard Eike
Harry Rosenberg
Paul Beaman
Leo Gertin, Jr.
Peter Rosenberg
Robert Behnke
Lyman Hart
John Sanderson, Jr.
Gustave Braun, Sr.
Allen Hasbrouck
Robert Seelye
Donald Briggs
Herbert Hastings
Gerald Smith
Richard Brigham
Joseph Honsinger
Gerard Smith
Baron Brodine
Richard Hulburt
Lee Streeter
Monroe Billings
Donald Lerch
Walter Taylor
Robert Coleman
William T. Lewis
Lewis Uhl
James Conheady, Jr.
James Matteson
Frank Van Morrelgem
John S. Costello
Fay Maxion
Ronald Watt
Edward Crone, Jr.
Margaret McMahon
Joseph Weider
Ross Danford
Albert Miller
Herbert Wooden
Paul Zaenglein, Jr.
*
* ** * *
CIVIL WAR VETERANS WHO DIED IN SERVICE
Justus Eisenberg-Co. D., 140th William Gregor-Co. G., 140th Franklin Evans-Co. D., 140th George Pullen-Co. G., 108th Robert S. Ambrose-Co. G., 108th Frederick Schaman-27th Inf.
John H. Van Antwerp- Co. E., 27th Inf.
James Dack, Jr .- Co. D. 100th Inf.
Isaac Klein-17th Inf.
Cassius C. Bowen-Co. L., 21st Cav. Herschel Coby-Co. L., 21st Cav. Michael Flynn-Co. L., 21st Cav. Eldridge F. Taylor-Co. L., 21st Cav. Martin J. Taylor-Co. B., 8th Cav. John Bloss-Co. L., 8th Cav. Isaac Ellwood-Co. B., 8th Cav. Joseph Schraeder-3rd Cav.
[51]
BRIGHTON SCHOOLS
ALLEN CREEK SCHOOL East Avenue . (Pittsford Central District) AUSTIN CRITTENDEN SCHOOL 1534 Crittenden Road . (Rush-Henrietta Central District)
BRIGHTON DISTRICT NO. 1 Monroe and Elmwood Avenues
BRIGHTON DISTRICT NO. 2 220 Idlewood Road
COUNCIL ROCK SCHOOL Grosvenor Road
HARLEY SCHOOL 1981 Clover Street
INDIAN LANDING SCHOOL 702 Landing Road North . (Penfield Central District)
MCQUAID JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL 1800 Clinton Avenue South
OUR LADY OF LOURDES 165 Rhinecliff Drive
OUR LADY OF MERCY HIGH SCHOOL 1437 Blossom Road
ST. AGNES HIGH SCHOOL 300 East River Road
ST. THOMAS MORE SCHOOL 2317 East Avenue
ALLENDALE SCHOOL Allen's Creek Road (Just over Border of Pittsford)
[52]
LIST OF CHURCHES AND TEMPLES
*ATONEMENT LUTHERAN . 1900 Westfall Rd. 14618-Rev. Frederick H. Reissig BETH HAKENES HACHODOSH . Monroe at St. Regis Dr. N. Abraham Nusbaum, President
*BRIGHTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH . 1775 East Ave. 14610-Rev. George E. Ulp BRIGHTON REFORMED CHURCH . Blossom Rd. at Arbordale Ave. Rev. Gordon Curtis
*B'RITH KODESH . 2131 Elmwood Ave. 14618 - Rabbi Philip Bernstein FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH . 175 Allens Creek Road 14618-Rev. Lee J. Beynon, Jr. INDIAN LANDING LUTHERAN . 626 Landing Rd. N. 14625 Rev. George Schweikert
OUR LADY OF LOURDES . Rhinecliff and Imperial Dr. 14618 Msgr. Leslie Whalen
*OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE . 95 Warren Ave. 14618 - Rev. James Slattery
*ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL . 2000 Highland Ave. 14618 - Rev. Arthur R. Cowdery
*ST. THOMAS MORE . 2617 East Ave. 14610 - Rev. Francis Pegnam
*SECOND REFORMED CHURCH . Landing Rd. N. at Penhurst Rd. Rev. Richard Pruiksma
TEMPLE BETH EL . 139 Winton Rd. S. - Rabbi Abraham J. Karp TEMPLE SINAI . 519 Allens Creek Road - Rabbi Leonard Schoolman
*TWELVE CORNERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH . 1200 Winton Rd. S. 14618 Rev. Carlton Allen
UNITARIAN FIRST CHURCH . 220 Winton Rd. S. - Rev. Robert West APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN . 1969 South Clinton Ave.
*FIRST FREE METHODIST . 250 Edgewood Ave. RIDGELAND BAPTIST CHURCH . 1230 East Henrietta Road
*Have indicated that they will open the buildings for visitors from 1 to 5 P.M. on Sunday, June 28.
[53]
POPULATION GROWTH OF BRIGHTON
1800
414*
1810
2,800 **
1814
673
1820
1,972
1825
4,375
1830
3,128
1840
2,336
1850
3,117
1860
3,138
1865
3,590
1875
3,455
1890
4,533
1900
3,815
1905
3,125 ***
1925
4,584
1930
9,065
1940
13,132
1950
.18,036
1960
27,849
1963
29,331
*Northfield, after 1808 Boyle.
** Boyle and Penfield.
*** Brighton Village made part of Rochester in that year.
PERTINENT INFORMATION . 1964
Acreage: 8,649.13
Equalized value real and franchise: $81,315,398
Miles of Highways - 114.33 State - 16.28
County - 20.43
Town - 77.62
Number of election districts - 31
[54]
BRIGHTON OFFICIALS
Supervisors
1814-1816 Oliver Culver
1867 Caleb Moore
1817-1818 Elisha Ely
1868-1870 Ira Todd
1819-1825 Ezekiel Morse
1871-1872 Austin Crittenden
1826 Elisha B. Strong
1873-1874 Henry E. Beardman
1827 Thomas Blossom
1874 Harrison A. Leon
1828 Ezekiel Morse
1875-1876 Ira Todd
1829-1831 Samuel G. Andrews
1877-1879 Thomas C. Wilson
1832-1834 William B. Alexander
1880-1884 David K. Bell
1835-1836 David S. Bates
1885
S. Hatch Gould
1837 Samuel Beckwith
1886-1887 K. A. Hughson
1838-1841 Oliver Culver
1888 David K. Bell
1842-1843 Samuel P. Gould
1889 K. A. Hughson
1844 Oliver Culver
1890 Edwin C. Remington
1845-1847 Stephen Otis
1891-1892 William H. Rowerdink
1849
Jason Baker
1897
William Manning
1850
Elisha Miller
1902-1903 Cornelius F. Warrant
1852
Abel Dryer
1904-1907 A. Emerson Babcock
1853
Justus Yale
1908-1909 Stanley Todd
1854 Seth Weed II
1910-1911 A. Emerson Babcock
1855
Timothy Wallace
1912-1915 Hiram C. Shaw
1856 Luther Eaton
1915-1927 Bion H. Howard
1857-1858 Benjamin Huntington
1928-1931 A. Emerson Babcock
1859-1860 Henry H. Holton
1932-1942 Samuel Cooper
1861 Edwin T. Otis
1943-1945 Charles O. Green
1862-1864 Lorenzo D. Ely
1946-1951 Roy C. Draper
1865
Samuel P. Gould
1951- Leonard A. Boniface
1866
Ira Todd
(continued)
1848
Lorenzo D. Ely
1893-1896 A. Emerson Babcock
1851 Benjamin Remington
1898-1901 A. Emerson Babcock
[55]
BRIGHTON OFFICIALS (continued)
Town Clerks
1814-1815 Nehemiah Hopkins
1854-1856 Ebenezer Bowen
1816-1820 Enos Stone
1857-1859 Benjamin B. Blossom
1821 Anson House
1860-1862 Ebenezer Bowen
1822-1824 Enos Stone
1863-1866 Benjamin B. Blossom
1825 Thomas Blossom
1867-1870 Amasa C. Cook
1826-1830 William B. Alexander
1871-1873 Ezra Bosenbough
1831 Harvey Humphrey
1874-1875 Charles C. Houlton
1832-1833 Henry L. Achilles
1875-1891 Charles Keitzler
1834 William Colby
1835 Benjamin B. Blossom
1836 Elisha Miller
1905-1919 W. P. Surgenor
1837-1838 Benjamin B. Blossom
1920-1921 Raymond A. Wood
1839-1840 John Boardman
1922-1927 E. Karl Marcus
1841 John Hagaman
1928-1934 F. Porter Surgenor
1842-1843 Benjamin B. Blossom
1934-1961 George C. Gordon
1844-1852 Ebenezer Bowen
1853 Henry H. Houlton
1892-1895 Daniel F. Sheehan
1896-1904 Andrew W. Miller
1961- Lawrence Mooney
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