Lakeview Terrace is a small street in the Maplewood neighborhood that runs north from LakeviewPark. Number 6 is among a street full of early 20th-century houses that have maintained their architectural integrity. There is a wonderful variety of styles and your eyes travel excitedly from rooflines, to windows, to porches and doors. Rochester is full of neighborhoods that reflect our earlier days and Lakeview Terrace is definitely one of them. I got out of my car and just absorbed the street for a while before going in to meet with the homeowner and Realtor.
The current homeowners have lived in this lovely 1922 American Foursquare house for 27 years, and you will see that in that time they have cared for it lovingly. The house was a double at one time, but was returned to single-family status quite some time ago. This entire house maintains the original wood trim and molding. This style house was said to be "the most amount of space for the least amount of money," and there is a good feeling of space as you walk through. The main entrance is from the front porch and through the original door with sidelights. You step into a vestibule and close the front door before opening the next original door into the front hall. Many early houses had a vestibule, and it was a great design for keeping out the winter drafts. It was also where the umbrellas were kept and coats were hung. The Arts and Crafts style stairs are straight ahead.
Many foursquare houses have a side entrance -generally on the driveway side. I went in this way and stepped into a beautifully decorated space. The basement stairs are on the right, coat hooks on the left and steps to the kitchen straight ahead. At the top of the stairs is a small hall that contains an original wood-trimmed laundry chute and medicine cabinet. Originally there was a small sink there as well. To the right are the typical "back stairs." The charming eat-in kitchen has newer oak cabinets and the microwave and dishwasher will stay with the house. What was probably the pantry is now a space where the table has a great backyard view and there is also a full bath. The original architectural detail remains in both the dining and living rooms -inviting window seats, wood beamed ceiling, pocket doors, and columns of the era. The "front" and "back" stairs meet at the landing and at the top are four bedrooms, a bath, attic door, and a laundry chute surrounding a spacious hall.
This 1744-square-foot gem sits on a 44 x 108 lot; it is offered at $73,900 and taxes are $2700. The mechanics include a newer gas furnace and hot water heater and the added bonus of central air. If you would like to see this house or have questions, please contact Sandra Bohner of Brightskye Associates at 377-5850 or on her cell at 414-5333.
By Sharon Pratt
Sharon Pratt is a former Landmark Society Receptionist.
