Historic Homes: Little Houses in the Big City

DECEMBER 21, 2010

There’s something symbolic about a wooden house that some city dwellers crave and though they’re historic and rare, a handful of these homes still stand.

In the 1800s, as development spread upwards in Manhattan, fire regulations began to go into effect prohibiting the construction of wooden-framed houses, and by 1866, they were banned throughout the city. Yet a number of wooden homes remain standing, and some are still home to residents who consider themselves among the city’s luckiest homeowners.

Every so often a local news story will surface—like this NY Times piece—about a seemingly miraculously-preserved house nestled among the city’s brownstones and condos. Residents–and those who yearn to be–of these pieces of the city’s history are a small but passionate group who will often bid higher than a sellers’ asking price. The houses often require more TLC and are likely smaller than brownstones. But wood-house aficionados remain smitten by their charms. The Clinton Hill historic district is a good hunting ground if you’re looking for one of your own.

Dutch style colonial houses are among the best-preserved. Some notable ones are the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House in Ridgewood, Queens, the Alice Austen House in Staten Island and Manhattan’s last surviving colonial farmhouse, the Dyckman Farmhouse in Inwood. Some, like the Wycoff homestead, have become museums. The Historic House Trust is a good resource for finding historic wooden houses—and the stories behind them–throughout the city’s outer boroughs. The Historic House Trust also offers opportunities to tour the city’s historic houses.

ALSO IN NEW YORK CITY INSIDER

This is your member's center

Historic Homes: Little Houses in the Big City

DECEMBER 21, 2010

ALSO IN NEW YORK CITY INSIDER

Buy & Sell

Rent

Buildings

Insights

Company