Lakeview Terrace is a small street in the Maplewood
neighborhood that runs north from LakeviewPark. Number 6 is among a street full of early 20th-century
houses that have maintained their architectural integrity. There is a wonderful variety of styles and your
eyes travel excitedly from rooflines, to windows, to porches and doors. Rochester
is full of neighborhoods that reflect our earlier days and Lakeview Terrace is
definitely one of them. I got out of my
car and just absorbed the street for a while before going in to meet with the
homeowner and Realtor.
The current homeowners have lived in this lovely 1922 American
Foursquare house for 27 years, and you will see that in that time they have
cared for it lovingly. The house was a
double at one time, but was returned to single-family status quite some time
ago. This entire house maintains the original wood trim and molding. This style
house was said to be “the most amount of space for the least amount of money,” and
there is a good feeling of space as you walk through. The main entrance is from the front porch and
through the original door with sidelights.
You step into a vestibule and close the front door before opening the
next original door into the front hall.
Many early houses had a vestibule, and it was a great design for keeping
out the winter drafts. It was also where
the umbrellas were kept and coats were hung. The Arts and Crafts style stairs are straight
ahead.
Many foursquare houses have a side entrance -generally on
the driveway side. I went in this way
and stepped into a beautifully decorated space. The basement stairs are on the right, coat
hooks on the left and steps to the kitchen straight ahead. At the top of the stairs is a small hall that
contains an original wood-trimmed laundry chute and medicine cabinet. Originally there was a small sink there as
well. To the right are the typical “back
stairs.” The charming eat-in kitchen has
newer oak cabinets and the microwave and dishwasher will stay with the house. What was probably the pantry is now a space
where the table has a great backyard view and there is also a full bath. The original architectural detail remains in
both the dining and living rooms -inviting window seats, wood beamed ceiling,
pocket doors, and columns of the era.
The “front” and “back” stairs meet at the landing and at the top are
four bedrooms, a bath, attic door, and a laundry chute surrounding a spacious
hall.
This 1744-square-foot gem sits on a 44 x 108 lot; it is
offered at $73,900 and taxes are $2700. The
mechanics include a newer gas furnace and hot water heater and the added bonus
of central air. If you would like to see
this house or have questions, please contact Sandra Bohner
of Brightskye Associates at 377-5850 or on her cell
at 414-5333.
By Sharon Pratt
Sharon Pratt is a former Landmark Society Receptionist.
This article appears in Dec 27, 2006 – Jan 2, 2007.
