Here you can find all my posts I’ve done yet. Enjoy!
The last Newport mansion to fall: “Avalon”
When it was torn down in 2006, “Avalon” was no reflection of its former self. But, exactly 100 years before, this Mediterranean castle was considered one of Newport’s most iconic. Avalon’s story begins in May 1904, when an opulent lawyer by the name of Edward Stephen Rawson purchased about 14 acres of property in the…
“Poplar Hill”, a Gatsby-era mansion turned Nursing Facility.
For the past 3 months, i’ve had a special opportunity to visit and explore a grand Gatsby-era mansion on Long Island turned Elderly Facility: “Poplar Hill.” When my 95-year-old grandmother first visited the Glengariff Rehab Center this past October, I quickly fell in love. Not only was it a stunning building, but its unique and…
The story of a long-secluded Gilded Age estate known as “Willada Point”
Hidden away from the rest of the world for nearly a century, this Gilded Age estate was quietly torn down in 1984 – without ever getting the chance to be saved. Built in 1894, “Willada Point” was once Glen Cove, New York’s best kept secret. Amidst a city of notable, extravagant palaces, Willada Point was…
The full, unaltered history of Howard Maxwell’s “Maxwellton” – featuring some 76-year-old unseen photographs.
In this article, we will be exploring the complex and long-untold history of Howard Maxwell’s Glen Cove, New York residence, formally known as “Maxwellton.” Long before the residence of Howard Maxwell ever stood in the bustling city of Glen Cove, however, there was a wealthy sportsman by the name of John Rogers Maxwell with a…
“Burrwood”, a Gilded Age estate of the most grand proportions – featuring some unseen 87-year-old photographs.
Of the many Gilded Age estates to have stood on Long Island’s Gold Coast, few have ever reached the proportions of this palatial creation. From its construction in 1898 to its demolition in 1995, Burrwood was considered one of the regions most prized possessions. So, when a man by the name of Tim Heise reached…
The grand history of “Round Bush”, a Gilded Age estate built by J. P. Morgan Jr – featuring some unseen color home movies
The full home movies of “Round Bush”, which were likely recorded some time in the mid-1960s. Courtesy of the Villar family. These one-of-a-kind films were discovered by myself a few weeks ago while searching through the deep corners of the internet. When I came across the digitized recordings, they had under 30 views each. Today,…
A forgotten Glen Cove estate in the North Country Colony known as “Wyndhem”
The tale of “Wyndhem” begins in a place forever keen to the realm of Gilded Age estates: Glen Cove, Long Island’s “North Country Colony.” Formed in 1893, the North Country Colony was a “residential enclave” dedicated to Americas wealthiest. It was (and has forever remained) the home of multiple extremely famous Long Island homes like…
The untold history of “Knollwood” – featuring some never-before-seen photos
In late 1951, an exiled and shunned European King purchased an estate on Long Island, New York, for use as his personal foreign palace. Ultimately, his dream for this grand property never truly came to be. Despite this, and the main mansions demolition over 70 years ago, the story of “Knollwood” is nowhere near over.…
The unique history of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s “Laurelton Hall”
What happens when you give one of the 20th century’s most notable artists a 300 acre plot of land just an hour out of New York City? Chances are, within just 5 years time, a castle of the most grand proportions and an estate incomparable to any other will stand in the place of what…
The unique history of a long forgotten Glen Cove Mansion turned grand clubhouse: “The Appleby Mansion” turned “Glen Cove Lodge of Elks”
This incredible mansion was once converted into a well-renowned social clubhouse, before falling victim to the wrecking ball just 40 years after its construction. Told for the first time in this capacity, I am honored to present to you the story of “The Glen Cove Lodge of Elks.” First known as the “Appleby Mansion”,…
The history of “Maxwelton”, John Rogers Maxwell’s 1898 residence. And, a private tour of what’s left.
Today, I got the chance to tour the remaining piece of what was once a Gilded Age palace. Unseen by the public since its construction, “Maxwelton” used to be “the finest property on the north shore of Long Island.” Today, it is a shell of its original self. Here is the story of this incredible…
“Cedar Cliff” – An 1895 Mansion That Was Cut In Half!
In 1895, Joseph Allen “Joe” Physioc Sr, a set designer and artist, had his New York country home constructed in a small settlement along the North Shore called Bayville. The estate, which stood within an estimated 6 acre long property, consisted of a large driveway with two entrances, a circular formal garden, a beachfront pathway,…
Finding a long-gone mansion actually still standing – “Brymptonwood”
For years, it was thought this home was another long-gone remnant of the Long Island Gold Coast. But, I recently discovered it was actually still standing (kinda)! Called “Brymptonwood”, this was the John G. Berquist home built 1915. Before I tell you about how I found this out, here’s what we know about the elusive…
“The Braes” – a story of Long Islands best Gilded Age mansion upgrade.
In 1902, Herbert Lee Pratt had his stately country house built in the secluded neighborhood of “Dosoris Park” (located in Glen Cove, New York). But, 10 years later, he had the house demolished to construct an even larger and even grander structure. In my opinion, this is the biggest estate upgrade i’ve seen during Long…
The Lawrenceburg, Tennessee “Forgotten F5” tornado – April 16, 1998
The date is April 16, 1998. It’s a humid spring day in middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, most don’t know the conditions for a historic weather day is brewing right in front of their own eyes.. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a High Risk (5/5), which mostly covers southern states in the US. Specifically, Tennessee…
Saturn Mondays 