19th Century Homes on East Avenue

Home of patent medicine magnate HH. Warner. It was located at the corner of East and Goodman. Warner also built one of the most unique structures on the avenue, the Warner Observatory near his home.

   Left to right: The Harris-Walton -Spencer House, house of John Fahy, home of Frederick Cook
 

Home of Patrick Cox, home of Alexander Lamberton, Parks Dept. official. The noted architect, Harvey Ellis, designed it.

In the latter part of the 19th century, lavish homes were constructed all along the avenue east of Alexander Street, many by noted architects. All the major styles of the late Victorian era were represented. The nursery lands began to be taken over by residential units. Horses and carriages were still being raced along the avenue, and a new invention, the bicycle, began to be used there as well. Students at the University and the Seminary lived in dormitories nearby. The wealthy continued to socialize in a whirl of parties and business and civic functions. Chauffeurs, butlers, maids and gardeners worked at the homes of the rich. However, the depression of 1893 had a major impact on some of the avenue's residents, among them H. H. Warner. He faced bankruptcy and was forced to sell both the observatory and his Rhineland-fantasy mansion.

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