OGDENSBURG — New York Governor W. Averell Harriman (1891–1986) once remarked, “My roots are deep in Ogdensburg. One of my forebears was mayor... My mother was brought up and married in Ogdensburg. I visited as a boy.”
The beautiful home the Governor remembered—the Averell Mansion—once stood at what is now 419 Ford Street. Today, the site is home to Planned Parenthood and the Ogdensburg Neighborhood Center, sitting just beside the First Presbyterian Church. While the home no longer stands, the history of the site remains a vital part of the City’s story.
A Masterpiece of the Second Empire Built for William J. Averell (1821–1897) and his first wife, Mary Lawrence Williamson Averell, the mansion was a brick residence in the Second Empire style. It was defined by its mansard roof—a popular 19th-century choice that provided an extra floor of living space in the attic.
The home was a blend of Victorian styles: arched dormers provided light to the upper floor, while stone quoins (decorative corner blocks) gave the home a sturdy, timeless look. The mansion also featured Italianate details, with decorative brackets under the eaves, tall, narrow windows, and an ornate wooden porch.
While the mansion’s destruction wasn’t strictly part of the Urban Renewal project, it fell victim to a mid-century movement to “modernize” American cities. At the time, 19th-century craftsmanship was often dismissed as too decorative or “fussy." In its place, the architecture of the 1960s and 70s favored straight lines, minimalism, and plain surfaces like concrete and glass. In this case, a simple office building with metal siding replaced the massive Second Empire home.
A Legacy Intertwined with Progress The Averell name was intertwined with leadership and growth in St. Lawrence County. William’s father, James, arrived by horseback in 1809, eventually becoming a prominent merchant, judge, and president of the Ogdensburg Bank. William J. Averell followed in his father’s footsteps, managing vast land holdings and serving as president of both the bank and the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad.
Despite his business success, William was very community-minded. He served as mayor in 1883, alderman, and was a main benefactor for the City Hospital and the Ogdensburg Cemetery Chapel.
The family’s influence extended worldwide through William’s daughter, Mary Averell Harriman. After marrying future railroad baron E.H. Harriman at St. John’s Episcopal Church, she inherited $100 million upon his death in 1909—approximately $3.7 billion today. While she became the wealthiest woman in the U.S. and a philanthropist for organizations like the Boys Club and the Trudeau Tuberculosis Sanitarium, her legacy remains complex due to her funding of the controversial Eugenics Record Office.
From Family Home to Community Hub Following William’s death in 1897, the home eventually was purchased by the Knights of Columbus Council #258 in 1917. The Knights modernized the interior, replacing gas fixtures with electricity and converting the third floor into a large club room for meetings and, eventually, the Ruth Dumas Dance Academy.
The original property was once more extensive, including the current site of Phillip’s Diner and the vacant lot where the Strand Theater stood before it was lost to fire. By the mid-1960s, the Knights of Columbus desired more modern facilities and began looking for a buyer. The mansion was sold to Daniel M. McConville for $13,500 (about $123,000 today), then transferred to Daniel J. and Frances McConville for $1.00. The First Presbyterian Church then purchased the home from the McConville family. To make way for a new community facility, the mansion was removed in 1969, marking the end of its era on Ford Street.
A Lesson for the Future The Averell Mansion was more than just a residence; it was a home for a family that helped shape the region. From the Averells' civic leadership to the Knights of Columbus’s charity work, and now the nonprofits currently occupying the grounds, the site continues to serve the people of Ogdensburg.
While this legacy of service endures, the loss of the mansion itself serves as a quiet reminder for the future. True modernization doesn't always mean removing the old to make room for the new. By being more mindful of our historic structures today, we can find creative ways to bridge our rich past with the needs of a changing city.
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