The Clark Mansion

Now the home and studio of artist John Morrow, the Clark Mansion or Locust Lawn is one of the oldest buildings in Ogdensburg. It is a Federal Style house with Georgian influences possibly designed by famed architect Jean Jacques Joseph Ramee. It is close in age to the Remington Art Museum and the Robert C. McEwen Customs House. The two gateposts were the work of sculptor Bruno Zimm, who married Louise Seymour Hasbrouck in 1919. The first owner of the house, Louis Hasbrouck is represented by the man on horseback. The second owner Edwin Clark is represented by the sailing ship. The name Locust Lawn comes from the Locust trees that have surrounded the house for many years. The Clark family lived in the house for 151 years. The mansion nearly was demolished during Urban Renewal, but was saved by newspaper publisher Franklin Little.

Located at 324 State Street (formerly Euphemia St.) the Clark House was completed in 1810 as a home for lawyer Louis Hasbrouck (1777-1834) and his wife Catharine Banks Hasbrouck (1777-1862). Louis Hasbrouck along with Nathan Ford was a founder of Ogdensburg. He was the first clerk of St. Lawrence County, a county supervisor and the first postmaster. Hasbrouck was also the first president of the Village of Ogdensburgh. He served as a state assemblyman in 1814 and was a state senator from 1832 until his death.

On August 5, 1829 Sarah Hasbrouck Clark, daughter of Louis and Catherine Hasbrouck, and her husband Edwin Clark moved into Locust Lawn. Edwin Clark (1800-1869) was a businessman who built the Eagle Block, which was located where Ogdensburg Mall is today. In addition to owning the mansion, he also owned offices, stores and a number of other lots in the city.

Edwin and Sarah’s daughter Ella Clark died in the home in 1923. She bequeathed the property to her nephew, Edwin Clark. He married Dorette Bergemann in 1933. The Clark family occupied the mansion until 1981 when Dorette Bergemann Clark passed away at age 90.

Sources:

Clark Family: http://www.stlawu.edu/library/manuscript-collection/clark-family-papers

John Morrow: http://www.thousandislandslife.com/BackIssues/Archive/tabid/393/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/235/John-A-Morrow-Artist.aspx

Map of Ogdensburg: http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wcarr1/Lossing2/Chap27.html

Architectural Style Guide: http://www.historicnewengland.org/preservation/your-older-or-historic-home/architectural-style-guide

Ogdensburg Journal: September 23, 1936

Rural News: November 15, 1982

Advance News: December 19, 1982, December 12, 1982

Dorette Clark picture: Ogdensburg Public Library

Louis Hasbrouck Grave: Anne Cady

Sarah Hasbrouck Clark picture: Ogdensburg Public Library

Edwin Clark Picture: Ogdensburg Public Library