Perhaps most completely symbolic - both historically and architecturally - of the box type as applied to business structures, is the recently destroyed Empire House nee Voorhees House. This was for many years THE building of Syracuse being not only a first class hostelry, but the scene of many social affairs, balls, conventions and public meetings. Located at the hub of early Syracuse, it was erected on the site of the Mansion House and completed in 1847 in square form, for John H. Tomlinson. One year later the building was sold to Colonel Voorhees, a lumber merchant, and John D. Norton* at which time it was enlarged by the addition of a North Salina Street wing: In 1856, an extensive remodeling took place with an additional wing being added. Finally in 1857 the building was purchased by the White brothers in whose name it remained until it burned in Deceraber 1942.

Just as the Onondaga House (page 163), the Voorhees was distinguished by a cupola, but of even purer Greek feeling than the earlier one on the Onondaga visible in the background of figure one. Undoubtedly inspired too, by the Choragic Monument, it is a masterpiece of refinement and revivalism replete with classic wreaths and anthemions, small mullioned windows and tall lightening rod. This building was also possessed of some fine details which the Onondaga did not have. Notice the splendid balustrade along the top - an extraordinary feature, and the sturdy Propylaea features of the baseless Doric columns in figures four and five which are surely fitting for such a composition. The attic windows are here again repeated in typical manner. It is to be regretted that this artful classic presentation was destroyed by an ugly French Mansard roof (seen in the background of the photograph on page 163), but tastes change and with them goes any sentimentality over past forms.

Of extreme interest at the right of figure two, is the Daily Star Building built on the canal in 1835 and 6 and closely resembling the Orphan Asylum building, on page 51, with its broad entablature and cornice wings. The Daily Star was the first newspaper in Syracuse. Here at one glance we are afforded twelve years of progress in the Greek Revival.

Note 1: Their homes are discussed on pages 80 and 101.