Alameda Street is one of the
friendliest and prettiest streets in Maplewood, perhaps in all of
Rochester. Neighbors congregate for
events throughout the year, and tend the gardens that mark the east and west borders
of the street. One of the sweetest
houses on the street is 196 Alameda, with its clean traditional lines and large
front porch with intricate white lattice.
The blue and white exterior is accented with wine-toned shutters and
teal details, and stained and leaded glass windows.
The 1,701 square foot house was
built in 1925, and retains to this day the stunning natural woodwork that
characterizes homes of the period. The
front and foyer doors have unusual, lovely beveled glass inserts. The pocket doors to the living room actually
work (!). The hardwood floors with
inlaid borders throughout the first floor will be beautiful again when
refinished. Remarkably intact are the
staircase with its arts and crafts-style newel post and stair rail, and the
dining room’s beamed ceiling.
The little details make a
difference: The doorknobs are
glass. The pastel floral motif
stained-glass window at the foot of the stairs is an attention-grabber. More beveled or stained glass is found in the
living room, dining room – and the attic.
The original milk box survives, as does the swinging door from dining
room to eat-in kitchen.
Off the wide hallway on the second
floor are four generous bedrooms with hardwood floors. One leads to the sleeping porch that spans
the entire rear façade. The second-floor
thermopane windows are sympathetic to the original design. Built-in drawers, shelves and laundry chute
are in the hall. The attic is
unfinished, tight and huge. Windows on
three sides make it bright and full of potential. The yard is 0.12 acres, or 40 x 133
feet. The deep backyard is surrounded by
mature trees. The detached garage has
the capacity for two cars, and needs work.
The home at 196 Alameda deserves
the TLC that the next owner will provide.
Generations of owners have kept the architectural details intact,
leaving only cosmetic or style changes necessary today. The property is listed for sale at $69,900
through Sam Morreale of Nothnagle Realtors, (585) 339-3966. Taxes are $2,779.
Historic Maplewood in northwest
Rochester is a block west of the Genesee River.
The Maplewood YMCA, Maplewood Branch Library, Maplewood Rose Garden and
Lower Falls of the Genesee are within walking distance of 196 Alameda. Nearby are John Marshall, Nazareth Academy
and Aquinas high schools. A large
portion of Maplewood is listed in the State and National Registers of Historic
Places, a testament to the quality and preservation of its homes.
By Elizabeth Teall
Elizabeth Teall is a Landmark
Society volunteer and Maplewood resident.
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2007.
