The benign gentleman opposite was the head of one of the most noted families between New York and Chicago; his home, the center of the most fashionable society in this city and over its threshold passed some of the most prominent people in the nation. Harvey Baldwin sprang from a family of renown for his father was the founder of Baldwinsville. The son proved himself worthy of the heritage becoming, not only a public spirited lawyer in good-natured-rival to Elias Leavenworth, but the first mayor of Syracuse after its incorporation.

The land on which his fabulous home was built was first sold to Horace White in 1839 for eight hundred dollars, with the house constructed shortly thereafter. In 1841 the property was sold to James L. Voorhees (see page 168) who transferred it on May 18, 1844 to Harvey Baldwin for five thousand dollars. 0- this estate, where it is said doer roamed at will, Mr. Bald- win lived until his death.

As in the Judge Shankland House on page 56, and in contrast to the preceding example, the proportions have been heightened and the columns attenuated as advocated by Benjamin. The resemblance ceases here, however, for there is a refinement of detail not found in the earlier examples. The Ionic capitals, the pedimental mouldings and the entablature are unusually fine; the wing has been carefully tucked to the rear to avoid any nonsecular appearance, and the doorway is mounted under a splendid entablature. Two points of interest are the shallow pedimented window headings, a feature which gradually assumes dominant proportions, and the circular window in the pediment seen only in figure three - obviously an after thought of the 'seventies or 'eighties.

Despite the finer aspects of this structure, however, there is still a bulkiness in rendering that in itself clearly trumpets the character and spirit of pioneer Syracuse.

Portrait from Onondaga Historical Society

Figure two from E. Q. Williams collection