A Classic American Foursquare with Bonuses
Were it not for a move precipitated by career advancement, the current owner of 14 Weldon Street wouldn’t give up this solidly constructed, gracious home. Built in 1923, this 1,570 square foot American Foursquare still features numerous original embellishments and shines with quality. As the name suggests, American Foursquares are designed around a simple square footprint. Use of space is maximized, incorporating a foyer, kitchen, dining room, and living room in each corner of the first floor and three to four bedrooms and a bath on the second floor. In this case, not only are the basics accommodated, but a butler’s pantry, another full bath, and sleeping and service porches are integrated into the design, adding several bonuses to the bargain.
Typical of many Foursquares, visitors are greeted with an expansive front porch, with latticework and with cheerful tulip-shaped cutouts dotting the railing spindles. Inside, the quality and the detailed craftsmanship continue. Throughout the house on both levels, the hardwood floors gleam, the gumwood trim—both baseboard and crown moulding—has never been touched by paint, and all the solid wood doors are touched with the sparkle of glass doorknobs. The foyer is bright and welcoming with a full-sized window, the original brass light fixture, and sunshine reflected off the mirrored closet door.
The living room features a big bay window overlooking the front porch, the original five-globe brass light fixture, and lovely leaded-glass French doors. Complementing the living room, the dining room is crowned by an elegant brass and glass chandelier. Two bonuses are tucked behind the dining room: a full bath and a completely intact butler’s pantry. The fully tiled bath appears to have been added in the late 1940s or early 1950s; the quality of materials and workmanship are equal to the exceptional quality of the original structure. The butler’s pantry not only expands kitchen storage and accommodates the refrigerator, but it is also a benefit when entertaining, allowing for discrete service to the dining room. The kitchen is a delight, successfully blending the original glass-fronted cabinets and floor-to-ceiling pantry with expansive countertops and cupboards for a bright, open, highly functional workspace. Adding to the kitchen’s efficacy is the service porch giving access to the unusually deep back yard and another doorway to the side entry and basement.
The second floor is equally as efficient and well preserved. Radiating off the central hallway are three bedrooms, the second full bath, and walk-up access to the unfinished attic. The bath sparkles with a hexagonal tiled floor, cast iron pedestal tub, and original ceiling light fixture. New cabinetry and supplemental wall-mounted lighting echo the classic 1920s style. The smallest bedroom enjoys access to the sleeping porch. The south-facing, window-filled master bedroom spans the width of the front of the house and includes a sunny nursery alcove in the southwest corner.
The current owner was captivated by the home’s warmth, quality craftsmanship, and excellent condition. The next owner will enjoy not only that, but also the nearby amenities. Located in Rochester’s 19th Ward, 14 Weldon is a short stroll from Genesee Valley Park, a quick walk from Genesee Street commercial conveniences and the Brooks Landing development (to include a hotel and an array of restaurants, retail, and services), a brief foot or bicycle commute to the University of Rochester, and a short drive to I-390. Additionally, the next owner will be surrounded by friendly neighbors, many of whom are active in the 19th Ward Community Association—at 41 years old, the country’s longest continually operating association of its kind.
Priced at $85,900 with taxes of $2,954, to visit 14 Weldon Street, contact Adrienne Kllc of Re/Max Realty Group at 218-6812 or see it and more like it at this weekend’s City Living Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00. Visit www.CityLivingSundays.com for details.
By Christine E. Corrado, a Landmark Society volunteer, a 19th Ward resident, and an avid proponent of city living.
This article appears in Mar 1-7, 2006.
