Charles Bell House Known as the “Old Courthouse Block” the Charles Bell House located at 412 Crescent St. is a wonderful example of the Mansard Style or Second Empire Style. This architectural style was made popular during the reign of Napoleon III in France from 1852-1870. It became so popular after the Civil War that it was called the “General Grant Style”. The mansard roof is the most obvious feature, but also note the dormers, decorative window surrounds and one story porch. The Charles Bell house was the home of a number of prominent citizens of Ogdensburg. Charles Bell was born in 1861 in this city. Trained as a jeweler, he worked with his father George R. Bell until 1884 and was vice president and treasurer of Bill, Bell & Company, president of the Businessmen’s Association and director of the National Bank of Ogdensburg. He was also the president of Maple City Milling and the Seymour House Corporation. The Bell family was convinced to settle in Ogdensburg by George Parish, establishing the jewelry business in 1818. The family had extensive shipping interests in Scotland as well. Mr. Bell was a member of the Board of Education as well as a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He was a mason and member of the Ogdensburg Century Club. This house was also the home of James S. Bean and his wife Mary Deane. James Bean was a founding partner of the George Hall Corporation and President of the Ogdensburgh Bank. He married Mary Deane of Weatherfield, Vermont in 1858. They came to Ogdensburg that same year. After his death in 1883, his wife Mary D. Bean was elected a director of the bank at a time when women could not even legally vote. Mrs. Bean was also an original member of the Ogdensburg Public Library board of trustees. She was a well known philanthropist in the community, contributing toward the building of the Ogdensburgh Cemetery vault. A separate branch of the library, located in the 4th ward was named in her honor. Later owners of the house included John and Mary Langford, who owned the Strand Theater and Brian and Kathie Wade. Presently Sean and Jill O’Brien own the home.
Comments
Post a Comment