Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District

Infobox_nrhp | name =Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District
nrhp_type = hd


caption =
location= Aurora, New York
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 45
lat_seconds = 1
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 76
long_minutes = 42
long_seconds = 0
long_direction = W
locmapin = New York
area =
built =1793
architect= Davis,A.J. & Downing,A.J.; Et al.
architecture= Mid 19th Century Revival, Early Republic, Late Victorian
added = November 19, 1980cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = Local
refnum=80002595

The historic village of Aurora, Cayuga County, New York rises on a hill above the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. The village was named by Captain Benjamin Ledyard, who settled there in 1793. From that time until the mid-nineteenth century, Aurora played an important part in the history of Central New York. County seat for first Onondaga County and later Cayuga County, the village was also a leading market town in the region. A steam-powered flour mill was built in 1817, the first of its kind west of Albany, contributing to Aurora's importance as a commercial center. Aurora was an important shipping point for goods bound up the Lake and through the Erie Canal, until the canal's role was replaced by railroads in the mid-19th century. Aurora's second period of historic significance began in 1868, with the founding of Wells Seminary, later Wells College. In 1980, the Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District was entered on the National Register of Historic Places cite web|last=Herschensohn|first=Michael J. and Roger Reed|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=903|date=February, 1980|accessdate=2008-08-03 and [http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=902 "Accompanying 33 photos from 1977-1980"] ]

Aurora Village properties

The contributing properties in the village of Aurora are of varied styles and vintage. They include commercial buildings, the Masonic temple, three churches, many homes, some barns and two cemeteries.

Commercial properties

The vernacular design Patrick Tavern was built in 1793 and is the oldest building in the village. Built in 1898, the Tudor Revival style Aurora Free Library/Morgan Opera House served until 1996 as the Public Library/Town Hall, as it was originally intended by benefactor Louise Morgan Zabriskie. [cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Sheila|title=A History Lesson: The Aurora Free Library/Morgan Opera House|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson1.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] The brick, Greek Revival style Aurora Inn was built in 1833. A complete renovation was completed in 2003. [cite web|title=Steeped In History Since 1833|url=http://www.aurora-inn.com/history.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] Solomon Myers, a mason, built The Bank, circa 1840, of local limestone. Originally his home, in 1864 the second owner sold it to a consortium forming the First National Bank of Aurora. At that time, several physical improvements were made and the Italianate features were added. [cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Sheila|title=A History Lesson: The Bank House|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson2.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] The Shaketon Funeral Home is a large, white, neo-classical structure built in 1903-1904. Edwin Barber Morgan, a leading citizen of Aurora, had the E. B. Morgan House built in 1857-1858. The imposing stone mansion on the shore of Cayuga Lake is now operating as a bed and breakfast. [cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Sheila|title=A History Lesson: E. B. Morgan House|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson11.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] Other commercial properties that contribute to the district include: the Shakelton Hardware Store, the Aurora Office Building, Mack's Drug Store, the Aurora Village Hall, the White Elephant Shop, the Aurora IGA, and the Thompson Block.

Masonic Lodge

Robert Livingston, who administered George Washington's oath of office and was Grand Master of the Masons, signed the charter for the Masonic Lodge in Aurora, received in 1797. It is known as the Scipio Lodge #110. New York State Governor DeWitt Clinton, also Grand Master of the Masons, laid the cornerstone for the existing structure in 1819. [cite web|last=Peter|first=George|title=A History Lesson: Scipio Lodge #110|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson6.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] The Masonic emblems incorporated in the design of the structure survive to this day.

Churches

Three churches contribute to the historic district. St. Patrick's Catholic Church, built in 1873 , is Italiante in design. It is located on the west side of Main Street. Across the street, St. Paul's Episcopal Church is Greek Revival in style and was b uilt in 1870-1871. Both were designed by a local architect Samuel Mandell. The Presbyterian church, built in 1860, is of Romanesque design, with a Gothic steeple.

Homes

Over fifty homes contribute to the historic district, too many to enumerate them all. The imposing Taylor House on the east side of Main Street was built around 1838 and was the site of many village celebrations. [cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Sheila|title=A History Lesson: Taylor House|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson3.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] Mandell House was built by and home to local architect Samuel Mandell. It is designed in a combination of Queen Anne and Stick styles. The romantic Queen Anne style Abbott House is at the northern end of town. [cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Sheila|title=A History Lesson: Abbott House|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson10.html|accessdate=2008-08-05] The Leffingwell House was the first house built of brick in Aurora, circa 1826. [cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Sheila|title=A History Lesson: Leffingwell House|url=http://www.auroranewyork.us/HistoryLesson7.html|accessdate=2008-08-05]

Wells College

In 1868, Wells Seminary, later Wells College was founded by Henry Wells, founder of Wells Fargo and American Express. The campus includes fourteen properties contributing to the historic district. The Wells College Boathouse, on Cayuga Lake, was built in 1898. Pettibone House is a Gothic Revival structure built of stone in 1858. The science building, Zabriskie Hall, was built in 1905. The Main Building was built in 1890. Glen Park was built in 1852, and was originally the home of Henry Wells. The house was designed by A.J. Davis, while the grounds by A.J. Downing. The remaining nine contributing properties on campus are Fritt House, Power House, Boyer Cottage, Macmillan Hall, South Hall, Bellinjou, Dining Hall, Cleveland Hall, and Morgan Hall.

References