Circa 1880 Cheap House in New York $59,900 – The Strawberry House

OHU50K Notes $59,900

Disregard the realtor’s 1920 build date for this grand yet cheap house.  Per US Census records, a prominent businessman and his family owned the Queen Anne  in 1880. It is known as the William S. Gerity House or locally as The Strawberry House.

Realtor Comments

This property was grand back in the day. Restore it for a variety of uses. Possible multi-family, commercial, professional office space. The possibilities are endless. Heatinng system appears to be dismantled.

• 5bed
• 2.5+bath
• 7,807sqft
• 0.33acre lot
• Circa 1920

If interested in a property, please contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended. 

415 William St, Elmira, NY, 14901 $59,900

• Contact Realtor: Michael Hamilton
  Brokered by: Howard Hanna Elmira Residential
• Google Maps
• Niche

Family History

This was the home of William Scott Gerity (1847-1912), a wholesale drug merchant. He lived in the home with his wife, Janet Dounce Gerity (1851-1933), and his adult son, Marsden Gerity, who also worked for the drug company, Janet’s mother and a servant girl.

While on vacation in La Jolla, California, in 1908, William passed away. He was brought back to his home in Elmira, where his funeral was held. Out of respect, all the retail drug stores in Elmira closed during the hour of the funeral.  Marsden eventually inherited the home.

Per Wikipedia”

“Known in upstate New York as “The Strawberry Mansion” (for its distinct red brick facade), this historic home was built in about 1880 and designed by Thomas Gerity, a well-known regional architect of the day. A large two-story, brick and stone Queen Anne style dwelling of almost 8,000 square feet, the home showcases classic wood moldings, 12 foot etched ceilings, and original pocket doors. It features an irregular cross-gabled massing and high gable roofs, as well as a large bracketed entrance porch, second story balcony, and projected semi-octagonal front bay.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 22, 2010. Originally designed as a private residence, “The Strawberry Mansion” was purchased in December 2019 by Charlie Schmitt and Brenda Brown, who (were) restoring it to its Victorian period grandeur for use as a private residence and vacation rental.”

Note that the blue house next door has since been demolished, and it appears that the house and neighborhood are in decline since the last purchase.

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