NEW YORK

Allegany County

• Alfred. Octagon house. Age unclear, but appears to be from the 1850s or 1860s. One Henry Hunting purchased the house in 1923. 57 South Main Street. Two story, cupola, porch extends around seven sides. Appears to be wood construction.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Photograph. Date taken unknown. No electric wires from the street are apparent, which would suggest 1910 or before, but there's nothing else to hint at a date.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Aerial photograph.
  
  Sources: Julia Dyke, Dale Travis.
  Entered: May, 2002.
  Updated: August, 2005.
  Updated: December, 2006.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Little Genesee. Octagon house. Located on Salt Rising Road. One and a half story.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: R. Kline; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: September, 2002.
• Village of Friendship. Octagon house. The Erastmus Hyde House, built about 1870. Originally located on Elm Street. First level is restored. The house has been moved, and now sits on Orchard Street, in Mumford, NY, on the site of the Genesee County Museum.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Photograph and location.
  
  Sources: Mark Harmison, mark.harmison@xrxgsn.com, Dale Travis, Roberta Walsh. Suzanne Wray.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: January, 2003.
  Updated: September, 2006.
  Updated: July, 2009.

Bronx County

• Bronx. Hexagon house. Built between 1848 and 1852. Located at W. 261st Street and Riverdale Avenue.
  
  Don Gilligan provides the following description:

  Fonthill, or Fonthill Castle as some call it, is on the National Register of Historic places as well as a NYC Landmark building. The building consists of six octagonal towers of varying dimensions and heights, joined together. It was built for Edwin Forrest, a famous 19th century Shakespearean actor. The architect is claimed by some to have been Thomas C. Smith of NYC. Barbaralee Diamondstein, in her book - Landmarks of New York - states that "the design has been attributed to Alexander Jackson Davis."

  Construction started in 1848 and completed in 1852. Forrest never occupied the house. He and his wife were divorced and the large property was sold to the Sisters of Charity who founded Mt. St. Vincent College at the site. Fonthill was used variously as a library and offices by the college.

  Photograph.
  
  Source: Don Gilligan, who supplied the information and the photograph.
  Entered: October, 2002.

Broome County

• Binghamton. Octagon house. Built in 1853 or before. 1853 Riverside Drive. Shown on both 1853 and 1901 birds eye maps.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The image on the left, above, is a from an 1853 map. That on the right from a 1901 map.
  
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2009.
• Glen Aubrey. Octagon house. Built in 1857 by George W. Smith. Located at 3699 State Route 26. Grout wall construction. Timbers put together using wooden dowels. A porch originally went around the entire house. At one time the Glen Aubrey Inn. Now gone.
  
  Photograph, probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis, and "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt. Linda Esposito.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: August, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.
• Maine. Octagon bandstand. Built right after the Civil War. Burned in 1928. Rebuilt in 1973.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• North Sanford. Octagon house. Nothing else known.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.

Cattaraugus County

• East Otto. Octagon house. Built in 1874. Located at 7201 Mill valley Rd, at Bailey Hill Road. In 1821 Moses T. Beach built the first sawmill in Mill Valley and the following year he built the first and only gristmill in the Town and the first frame house. He operated the mill until 1845 when he sold the entire Mill Valley property to Nathan Larkin. After his death the property eventually fell in to his sons hand who built the Octagon House. Why Mr. Larkin chose to build an Octagon house we don't know. He maintained a weather station on the roof. Torrance Brooks, grandson of Mr. Sikes one of the former owners, told the story that the walls of the rooms of the 2nd floor were built so that they could be folded back thus exposing a dance floor for square dances. The mill buildings are gone, the dam is gone but the house remains and it is still an attraction for motorists.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Olean Times Herald March1, 1941. Ellen Puerzer. Michelle Gogel, East Otto historian. Buffalo Curier Express - 1970s or 1980s. Frank and Jean Wheeler. John and Jean Mason, the previous owners.
  Entered: October, 2009.
  Updated November, 2009
  Updated January, 2010
• Olean. Octagon house. Built in about 1875 byJames H.Barber, as surprise for his wife Fidelia. James Barber died in 1878, and the house was occupied for many years by Fidelia and son James. Located at 404 E. State Street. On the front and back are two identical porches. Steep staircase to the upper floor. A large chimney runs through the center of the house. The house has been converted into apartments, although it's said not in a destructive way.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Source: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated February, 2010

Cayuga County

• Fairhaven. Octagon house. The Fowler-Bacon house. Built in the early 1850s. Demolished in 1954. "The Octagon Fad" book and a 1920 newspaper piece provide descriptions of the house.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Source: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer. "The Octagon Fad."
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: September, 2002.
  Updated August, 2009
• Locke. Octagon schoolhouse. Located on West Hill, several miles SW of the town.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
• Poplar Ridge. Octagon house. The Young-Hoag. Built in 1856. Possibly the same as the house below.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The piece in the center, above, is from December 18, 1944. The piece at the right, above, is from the Union Spring News, December 29, 1944.
  
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated August, 2009
• Poplar Ridge. Octagon house. Built in 1840. Very solid construction. Used as a church for a while by the Society of Friends.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.

Chautauqua County

• Chautauqua. Octagon house. Gables on perhaps six sides. Apparently one story with a large attic.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: February, 2003.
  Updated: April, 2009.
  Updated: June, 2009.
• Fredonia. Octagon house. Two stories, with cupola and octagonal carriage house. Located at 99 Chestnut Street. Being restored.
  
  Left click on the images below for largers version.
  
  
  
  Source: Howard McHenry
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2009.
• Lily Dale. Octagon house. Built before 1897. Now used as a spiritual camp center.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: January, 2007.
• Westfield. Alice Kent octagon house. Not a true octagon. Shown on an 1877 map as being owned by a Mr. Harris. William Vorce owned the house in 1889. In 1908 a newspaper indicated that a Miss Alice Kent made improvements to the house. The house changed hands many times after Alice Kent owned it, and as of year 2010 it has been chopped up in to a number of small apartments. Located at the corner of South Portage and Chase Streets. Two story. Recessed porch on both stories. Small fenced in area on the top instead of a cupola. Located on Route 394.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis, Susan Zorn. "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: January, 2003.
  Updated: November, 2007.
  Updated February, 2010

Chemung County

• Elmira. Octagon study. Built in 1874, and moved to Elmira college campus in 1962. Built by Mark Twain's sister-in-law on her farm as a study for the author, with a design resembling a steamboat pilothouse. Single story, it contained a fireplace, writing table, sofa, and a few chairs.
  
  Left click on the images below for larger versions.
  
  
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 160. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: July, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2009.
• Millport. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in the 1840s. Razed in 1930.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  Sources: "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.

Chenango County

• Coventry. Octagon house. Built in 1854. Located on Gothic Street Originally the house was two story, with a cupola, and a porch that went around at least five sides of the house. By 1985, the house had apparently lost the cupola and the porch.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  Likely a 1950s photo.

  A 1985 photo.

  
  
  Sources: Richard and Mary Hamilton, current owners; "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2009.
• Greene. Octagon house. Built in 1875. Wood plank walls Located on Genesee Street, between Birdsall and Canal Streets. two inches thick. Two story, with large cupola. A segment of an 1890 map of Greene shows the building at the center of the image.
  Source: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 99.
  Entered: July, 2001.
• South of Greene. Octagon house. Two story. Large cupola. Age unclear.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Entered: January, 2007.
• Guilford. Octagon house. Built about 1865. Located on the corner of Main Street and Mechanic Street. Porch on three sides.
  
  Unidentified in the photographs below, the people shown owned the house from 1923 to 1976.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Photograph at top, left, above, perhaps taken in the 1950s. Top right, above, shows storm damage on June 13, 1994. Bottom left, above, shows the repair of the storm damage. The remaining photo is undated.
  
  Sources: F. Wilson, the current owner of the house. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: April, 2007.
  Updated February, 2010
• Norwich. Octagon house. The Rhodes-Barnes house. Built in 1852. Located at 19 Hayes Street. Two story, with cupola, 16 rooms, and front, curved stair case. The walls are 16 feet long and double or triple brick construction.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Sources: owner Phil Giltner. Dale Travis provides the photograph.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: July, 2003.
  Updated: April, 2004.
• Oxford. Octagon house. Built in the 1850s. Located at 37 Mechanics Street.
  Source: R. Kline.
  Entered: September, 2002.
• Oxford. Octagon house. Built in 1886. Located at 15 Taylor Street.
  
  June Henry supplies the following information:
  
  "Meanwhile here is what the Oxford historian says about the house: The L. G. Lindsley House was built in 1886 on the site of a lime kiln. The octagon fad of the 1850's reached Oxford earlier with the construction of a octagon house on Mechanic Street. "Mr. Lindsley used grout to build the walls and pitched the roof toward the center of the house to catch the rainwater and drain it through to a cistern in the basement. The grout walls were covered with a coat of plaster marked off with a tool to imitate stone jointing. It is a two-story house and each of the eight sides is twelve feet eight inches long."
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline, June Henry. Cassie Marrone. Jeanie Petersen.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2006.
  Updated February, 2010
• Sherburne. Octagon house. Built about 1855 by Devillo White. Walls are 20 feet long, stucco, scored to look like stone. Two story. Porch added later or rebuilt. Two story bay added later. A segment of an 1887 map of Sherburne shows the building at the center of the image. Apparently it was demolished.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The piece above right, top,from the Post Brookfield, NY, newspaper, Januray 1, 1946, shows that the house was converted to a legion post facility at some point. The piece at the right, bottom, is from the Utica Observer, June 2, 1946. The piece at the left, bottom, is from the Utica Observer Dispatch, about 1970.
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 161. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: July, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2009.
  Updated August, 2009
• South Otselic. Octagon house. Built around 1855 by LeRoy Newton, who also built the Stetson house nearby. At one time the Gladding museum. Cupola. Construction is grout with stones of various sizes. It once had a porch on three sides. The house has been empty at various times and was vandalized, leaving few features intact any longer. It does, or did, have a winding staircase from basement to cupola.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph at the left, above, top row, was probably taken in the 1950s. The one at the right, top row, is undated, and shows the substantial porch the house once possessed. The photograph at the left, bottom row, above, possibly shows LeRoy Newton. The last of the family to live in the house, Bertha, died in the late 1930s. The crystal chandelier, shown in the photograph at the bottom right, above, was lost during a period of abandonment and vandalism. A great deal of historical material about the house was lost during a theft of the contents of the Gladding museum aroun 1982.
  
  Photograph, probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt. Michael Sheridan.
  Entered: February, 2003.
  Updated February, 2010
• South Otselic. Octagon house. Stetson House. Located at 1607 State Highway 26. Built in about 1860, by LeRoy Newton, for his daughter Lucretia, and son-in-law Orrin Stetson. Two story, stucco. The house was purchased in November, 2000, by M.C.Sheridan, from Queens, NY.
  
  In year 2010 the house is a B&B, called the Octagon Guest House. Contact Mike Sheridan, at ms8guesthouse.net for information. Also see www.octagonguesthouse.com 315-653-7271.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Photograph.
  
  History and photographs. Note that floor plans are available on this site.
  
  Staircase from the ground to the second floor.
  
  A 1907 view of the house on Main Street.
  
  An 1880's view of the house.
  
  The photograph above appears to show Lucretia Stetson, with some family and friends. Her husband, Orrin, died in 1868.
  
  Hallway view.
  
  Another hallway view.
  
  Master bedroom.
  
  Restored stairway.
  
  Source: Michael Sheridan, the current owner.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: October, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2004.
  Updated February, 2010

Columbia County.

• Ancramdale. Octagon house. The Near-Dietter house. Fowler period. Two story. No cupola. Porch around at least three sides. Now owned by the Barringer's.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph at the right, top row, above, was probably taken around 1950. The images in the bottom row, right, above, is undated. The others are contemporary.
  
  Sources: Johnathan Hallam, "The Octagon Fad," Carl F. Schmidt. Gail Barringer, the current owner.
  Entered: July, 2002.
  Updated September, 2009
• Columbiaville. Octagon house. The Isaac Smith Octagon. Built in 1853. Gravel wall construction, as promoted by Fowler. Each side is 16 feet. Open cupola, which is accessible by ladder from the second floor. Currently being restored.
  
  
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  

  , Photo from 1939.

  , Photo from the 1950s.

  
  
  As of July, 2008, the house has been massively restored, as shown in the photographs below, provided by the owner.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: Jonathan Hallam, the present owner; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: July, 2002.
  Updated: July, 2008.
• Columbiaville. Hexagon house. Also built by Isaac Smith, perhaps about the same time. Good condition. Has additions. Located near the octagon house.
  Source: Jonathan Hallam
  Entered: July, 2002.
• Copake. Octagon house. Built in 1866-1868 by Dr. John Reynolds after his return from the Civil War. Wood frame construction. Central cobblestone chimney. Each side is twelve feet. Dr. Reynolds added a wing for his office.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The image at the left was probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Jonathan Hallam; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: July, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.

Cortland County.

• Cortland. Octagon house. Built in 1855. Locate at 14 N. Church Street. Apparently now used for apartments.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Larger version of the photograph above.
  
  Sources: Linda Esposito. Dale Travis provides the photographs.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2004.
  Updated: December, 2006.
• Cortland. Octagon house. Located on the east side of the Tioughnioga River.
  
  Source: Linda Esposito.
  Entered: June, 2001.
• Homer. Octagon house. Built in 1905. Located at 161 South Main Street. Known as the circus house building, it is now the Circus House Antiques.
  
  Left click on the image below for a larger version.
  
  
  
  Photograph.
  
  Larger version of the photograph above.
  
  The current owner provides the following facts:

  Sig Sautelle's Circus winter quarters, built in 1905 in Homer N.Y. It is a three story 55' octagon building, built to look like a circus tent. It has ten bedrooms each with a closet on the second floor. The first floor has five large rooms and three smaller rooms 80% of the original tin walls and ceilings are intact on both the first and second floors. It has a full 55' octagon basement and a 45' octagon third floor attic. On top of it all is a 10' octagon cupola and seven dormers.

  
  
  Sources: Linda Esposito. Dale Travis provides the photograph. David and Marsha Ward, the current owners.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: October, 2005.
• Homer. Octagon house. The Head-Miller house. Probably built in the 1860s. Two story. Cupola. Located in the historic district, at 26 Clinton street.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Photograph, possibly taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Linda Esposito; Dale Travis; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2004.
• Marathon. Round house. Located on Route 11, north of town.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.

Delaware County.

• Hamden. Octagon house. Built in 1855 by John Hawley. Located at 34055 State Highway #10 ( also called Walton-Hamden road ), Walton, NY. Built of locally quarriedstone, but veneered with brick in 1875. Rooms are square. Staircase runs up the center. Now a bed and breakfast.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The top, right photo is circa 1950. The bottom, left photo was taken in 2007. Bottom, right, the newspaper piece is from the Oneonta Star, March 16, 1965.
  
  
  Photograph.
  
  Larger version of the photograph above.
  
  Brief description, photo.
  
  Octagon Farm Bed & Breakfast.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer. Tim Duerden, Delaware County Historical Association.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2004.
  Updated: July, 2007.
  Updated September, 2009
  Updated February, 2010
• Roxbury. Octagon house. Old River Road. Now a bed and breakfast. Brief article.

Dutchess County.

• Annandale on Hudson. Hexagon house. The Bleithwood-Gate house. Also said to be in Barrytown, NY. A street address is not available at this time. Built in 1840, based on plans provided by Alexander Jackson Davis. Once the home of Bard college founder John Bard. Two story. Hexagon cupola.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  ,

  
  
  The photograph above was taken in 1939.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated: February, 2009.
• Near Barrytown. Octagon gatehouse. South gatehouse, Edgewater.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  ,

  
  
  Source: HABS project.
  Entered: August, 2009.
• Barrytown. Octagon house.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  ,

  ,

  
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: February, 2010.
• Fishkill. Octagon house. "By 1853, Fowler's own octagon house near Fishkill, NY, which he helped to build, was ready for occupancy. Three stories high, it contained sixty rooms and included entries, a basement and a twenty-foot glass-domed octagonal cupola. Each of the upper floors contained twenty rooms, among them a playroom and dancing room, a gymnastics room for unlaced female dress reformers, a dressing room for every bedroom, a library and a room for minerals, shells and portraits, and author's study and a prophet's chamber. Many visitors were attracted to "Fowler's Folly" overlooking the Hudson River, and all went well for a few years until mounting unemployment and a multitude of bank failures resulted in the 'Panic' of 1857, which brought an end to the octagon fad and to Orson Fowler's resources."
  The house is said to have had central heating, gas lighting, running water, and inside flush toilets, all quite advanced for the time. The following description of the house is from "The Octagon Fad,
  The following sketch provides some idea of what Fowler's house looked like during it's brief existence. Another rendition of the house, provided by the ELPuerzer archive.
  
  Floor plans for a few of the floors are shown below.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Source: R. Kline and Kevin Berner and Ellen Puerzer, who provided the sketches.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: September, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.
• Millbrook. Octagon house. Also called Floral Hill. Built by John Russell Comstock. Razed in 1912. Located on Route 44. Two story. Each side 12 feet long.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  The piece above is from the Millbrook Roundtable, 1967.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated September, 2009
• Poughkeepsie. Octagon house. Based on an existing estate, including an 1830 Georgian house, Samuel F. B. Morse, of telegraph fame, worked with the architect Alexander Jackson Davis to enlarge the house in 1847, including a large octagonal salon.
  
  A small photograph and drawing give some idea of what the house looked like.
  
  The house still exists, and is now a NY landmark.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Roberta Walsh. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2005.
  Updated: June, 2009.
• Poughkeepsie. Octagon house. Built as early as 1819. Burned in 1836. Located on Main Street.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Red Hook. Octagon house. On Route 9 (South Broadway.) From Linda Keeling:

  Our Red Hook Public Library, New York, is a 10 room octagonal house, begun October, 1864, and finished December, 1865, built by Allan Barringer Hendricks. The foundation is poured concrete made with Rosendale Cement. It is virtually unchanged from the page 171 photo in The Octagon Fad by Carl F. Schmidt, 1958 and in remarkably intact condition.

  Hendricks lived in the house for over 60 years. After his death, at age 93 , it stood empty for several years. In 1935, it was purchased by the Red Hook Public Library (chartered June 27, 1898) for $3,850. It cost $900 to renovate and $1,289.40 for furniture. Most of this was donated as memorials.

  The original roof was slate. Round iron pillars were used on the porch and replaced by wooden pillars when the library was renovated. The outside walls are covered in stucco.

  The original kitchen and dining room were in the basement, open to the garden. The furnace room and storage room are located against the hill. There were four bedrooms and a bath on the top floor which is now used as an apartment by the caretaker. Only one room over the stairs is v-shaped. The corners are used for the closets.

  The first two photographs below show the house as it appeared in 1939:

  
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  ,

  ,

  ,

  
  
  The photo on the right taken in 1938 or 1939 by Croswell Bowen.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Aerial photograph
  
  Sources: Linda Keeling. Ellen Puerzer. Lucey Bowen.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: February, 2009.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Rhinebeck. Octagon house. Built in 1860.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  Rhinebeck NY b. 1860 by attorney Ambrose Wager -- 6484 Montgomery Street (Route 9), Rhinebeck. It appears on the Rhinebeck map of 1876. Aka The Reed House.

  (Wager later built an 2nd empire mansion also still standing). . Its owner's mother in law, Mrs. Harry H. Hill , had an ugly addition put on the back c 1935, however the front of the house is fairly original with the octagon.

  The the same family has owned it since about 1900. Maybe the plans are in the house, however nobody ever gets in there. The owner does not allow the public in the house because she was warned by the BCI NEVER to open her house for a nonprofit event as it's too hard to secure. It is on a huge village lot, about 12 acres, with barn, outbuilding, etc. that backs right up to the fairgrounds property, which the family inherited through Edward Livingston as their g-g-g grandfather Garret Van Keuren was Livingston's financial secretary. The house is listed in the National Landmark District for Rhinebeck which at the time (c 1980) was the largest district of its kind in New York State.

  
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2009.

Erie County.

• Akron. Octagon house. The Rich-Twinn Octagon house, built in 1849 by Charles B. Rich. Owned and operated by the Newstead Historical Society. House located at 145 Main Street, Akron, NY. Phone: 716-542-2254.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The creation date of the photo at the left, above, is unknown.
  
  Source: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: April, 2002.
  Updated: February, 2007.
• Town of Newstead. Octagon house. Construction date needs verification. Located on the north side of Clarence Center Road, between Utley and Barnum Roads, in the 11500 address region.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Don Felice. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: December, 2009.

Essex County.

• Bouquet. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1826. Brick. Single story. Cupola with bell.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2004.
• Crown Point. Octagon house. Has view of Lake Champlain. Had captain's walk on the top. The first photograph below was taken by an unidentified photographer at an unknown time. The second is a contemporary photograph of the house.
  
  Older photograph.
  
  Contemporary photograph - right side.
  
  Contemporary photograph - left side.
  
  Greg Furness, of Mineville, NY, supplies the following information:

  'The house is located on the Factoryville Road in Crown Point, NY see photo below taken today. I can recall that 20 years ago some of the gingerbread decoration along the edge of the roof still existed. Grey's 1876 Atlas of Essex County,NY, plate 18, map of "Factoryville" indicates the house occupied by one "C.P. Fobes" '

  
  Source: Dale Travis, Paul A. Carnahan, Librarian, Vermont Historical Society, who provides the older photograph, and Greg Furness, who provides the identification of the house, historical information, and a contemporary photograph.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: May, 2003.
  Updated: October, 2006.
• Essex. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1850 by the Noble family.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2009.

Genesee County.

• LeRoy. Octagon outhouse. Probably built in the 1850s, by George Slader. Located at 6928 Cole Road, south of town. Accommodates seven.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.

Greene County.

• Catskill. "Springside," the David Van Gelder octagon house. Located on Division Street. Completed in 1860. Two story brick, cupola, about 3,000 square feet. The floor plan is four rectangular rooms off of a square center hall. A stair well is open from the first floor into the cupola. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. David van Gelder was a farmer, and a designer of covered bridges.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The top left photograph above shows the house before any restoration work was begun. Top right shows the house during active resoration. The bottom two photographs show the house after the completion of extensive renovation inside and out. The house is now in a remarkable state of preservation.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photos above give a context view of the house.
  
  Source: Mark Phillips, the owner in 2001. Ellen Puerzer. John G. Schultz, owner in 2009, and responsibile for the preservation effort.
  Entered: December, 2001.
  Updated: June, 2009.

Hamilton County.

• Raquette Lake. Octagon cottage. Built about 1890. Located on Raquette Lake, at Golding Point.
  Sources: Dale Travis. "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Dave Porter.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: January, 2007

Herkimer County.

• Ilion. Octagon house. The house appears to be from the Fowler period, and a guess at its construction date would be about 1860. Located at Third & John Streets. Brick construction, now stuccoed. Two story, large cupola. The house appears to be in very good condition in year 2007.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph on the left was probably taken in the 1950s. The one on the right was probably taken in 2007.
  
  The Paddock family lived in the house in and around 1910 - exactly when and for how long is not known at present. Blanch (Raut) and William Paddock are shown in a November 6, 1901,
  
  Wedding photograph.
  
  At least three of the Paddocks's five or six children lived in the house for a while. Shown below are Frances, Marion, and Helen Paddock.
  
  Paddock children around 1910.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis, "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt.Heather Meeker Metheny, who supplied the contemporary photograph, and whose grandmother once lived in the house.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: June, 2007
• Little Falls. Octagon house. Built in 1855. Located at 102 West Gansevoort Street. Two story. Cupola. Circular staircase. The current owners are in the process of doing some restoration work.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  2005 photograph,
  
  2006 photograph,
  
  Sources: Dale Travis, "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt, Karen May. Scott and Megan Schmidt, the owners as of September, 2003.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: May, 2005
• Newport. Octagon house. Built in 1849 by Linus Yale Sr, for his daughter, Mrs. Ira L. Cady. Two story, cupola, built of Trenton limestone. Recessed porches and bay windows.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Larger version of the photograph above.
  
  Another larger version of the photograph above.
  
  Linus Yale Sr.
  
  Undated photograph - perhaps the 1920s, based on the vintage of the automobile.
  
  A 2005 photograph.
  
  Floor plan.
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 178.
  Dale Travis provides photographs.
  Robin Walsh, the current owner, also supplies photographs of the house, and Linus Yale Sr, and also a floor plan..
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: May, 2004.
  Updated: April, 2006.
  Updated: July, 2006.

Jefferson County.

• Campbells Point. Octagon cottage. Built in 1843. Stone fireplace.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  
• Fineview. Octagon cottage. Built in 1876. Located on Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River, opposite Fisher's Landing. Once called "Waving Branches." Rebuilt in 1927.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002

Kings County.

• Brooklyn. Octagon house. "Built by a German" before 1850. The house was quite large - four stories. Sold to a Mr. Richardson in 1850, and he lived there until his death in 1908. Occupied until 1913, when it was demolished, by J.D.Brooks, a fish merchant. The 1913 newspaper piece below gives some detailed history.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The top row, right, image above is dated May 22, 1910. The one on the bottom row, left, is dated Februrary 9, 1913. The bottom row, right, images is dated August 11, 1874, and is from the Eagle.
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer. Brooklyn Public Library.
  Entered: August, 2009
• Coney Island Beach. Octagon structure. Nothing else is known, including what the function of the structure is/was, whether it still exists, when it was built, etc.
  
  Postcard image,
  
  Postcard image - detail,
  
  Source: Jerry Freeze, who also provides the postcard images.
  Entered: August, 2003
• Coney Island Beach. Octagon structures. Luna park. At least four octagonal structures are shown.
  
  Postcard image,
  
  Postcard image - another view,
  
  Postcard image - nigh time view,
  
  Postcard image - another structure,
  
  Source: Jerry Freeze, who also provides the postcard images.
  Entered: January, 2004
• Utrecht. Octagon church. Built in 1700. Razed in 1828.
  Source: "More About Octagons," Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002

Lewis County.

• Constableville. Octagon house. Built in 1856 by Moses J. Eames. Located on James Street. Frame construction. Each side is 13 feet, 2 inches. The current, and fourth, owner mentions that the house was in the Eames family until 1952. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as a significant structure in the Constableville Historic District.
  
  Karen May, the owner in 2005, provides the following history and chronology of owners for the house from 1856 to present.
  
  Period photograph.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  2005 photograph.
  
  The house was neglected for about the last 20 years, and unoccupied since since 1997. The lack of heat in the winter has taken a toll on the plaster walls. The current owner is in the process of doing the necessary renovations.
  
  Stacked board construction was used for both the inner and outer walls. The lack of heat has necessitated the replacement of the original plaster in many rooms, and allows a better view of the construction method.
  
  A view of the circular staircase area.
  
  Downstairs and upstairs floor plans.
  
  Aerial view.
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 21, and "The Octagon Fad," Carl F. Schmidt. Karen May, the current owner.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: July, 2001.
  Updated: May, 2005.
  Updated: April, 2009.

Livingston County.

• Conesus. Octagon house. Built in 1805 by Davenport Alger. Located on Clark Road, about one half mile northeast of town. Also near South Livionia.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis.Ellen Puerzer. Steve Gates, York, NY, Historical Society.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: April, 2009
• York. Octagon house. Built in 1837. Located on Cowan Road, off Route 36. Now gone. The image below shows that the house perhaps once had a porch that went around the house. It appears to be abandoned in the image, and perhaps features are now missing.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.Ellen Puerzer. Steve Gates, York, NY, Historical Society.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: April, 2009

Madison County.

• Madison. Octagon house. Built by James Coolidge, about 1850. In about 1910 the house belonged to Louis Fuess. Walls made of cobblestone. Cut-stone quoins at the corner. Located at 7271 Main Street.
  
  Photograph.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The top row left hand photograph was perhaps taken in the 1950s. The top row right hand photograph in 1910. The bottom row photographs are satellite images, showing the roof line of the house.
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books. reprint, 1973. Page 47, and "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: March, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2004.
  Updated: June, 2009.
• New Woodstock. Octagon house. Construction date not known. Located at 2606 Pearl Street. Owned by Fred and Shea Palmer.
  
  The first two photographs below do not particularly suggest the house is an octagon, but the satellite photograph confirms that it is. The house has a number of attachments, most likely added later. The terrestrial photos apprear to be from about the early 1920s.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dave Porter, Cazenovia, NY, Madison County.Ellen Puerzer. New Woodstock Regional Historical Society provides the terrestrial photographs.
  Entered: January, 2007
  Updated: April, 2009
• Oneida. Octagon house. The Brown-Huyck house. Located at 313 Stone Street, where Seneca Street crosses Stone Street. Built some time during the Civil War by Captain Brown. Brick walls, with pilasters on the corners. Perhaps starting in 1879, it was used as a girl's school. Now a private residence.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline, Karen May. Ellen Puerzer. David H. Alvord, City Historian, supplies the photographs.
  Entered: September, 2002
  Updated: June, 2005
  Updated November, 2009
• Siloam. Octagon bath house. Built in the 1860s. Now a garage.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.

Monroe County.

• Clifton. Octagon schoolhouse. Perhaps built in the 1840s. Now gone.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Hilton. Octagon house. Built in 1919 to 1925. Located on 49 Lakeside Blvd, off Lighthouse Beach Road. The recent owners were only the first owners outside the original family. During the time they owned the house they reversed years of use, and the house is probably in close to original condition for the most part. The square addition on the back is not original.
  
  Some history.
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Fireplace.
  
  Stairway detail.
  
  Second floor chimney detail.
  
  Attic detail.
  
  Context view.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. The former owners, Patricia Conway and Paul Naliwajek, supplied additional information and the photographs.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: April, 2004
• Rochester. Octagon house. Built by Henry White. Razed in the 1880s. Located on Plymouth Avenue.
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: September, 2002.

Montgomery County.

• Canajoharie. Octagon house. Two story, cupola. Appears to be brick. Some bay windows. Nothing else known.
  
  The house was looked for in December, 2005, and not located.
  
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: February, 2002.
  Updated: December, 2005.
• St. Johnsville. Octagon house. Built in 1865. Located at 3 Kingsbury Avenue, a.k.a. Route 5. Once the office of the local doctor. Total area about 600 square feet.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer. Kelly Yacobucci, Farquhar County Historian. AJ supplies the photo.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated November, 2009

Nassau County.

• Oyster Bay. Octagon hotel. Built in 1851. Called the Nassau house. Located at 67 West Main. Before 1941 it was 114 West Main Street. Three story. Ornate cupola. Porch on at least three sides.
  
  Apparently the hotel proprietress in 1889, Mary Lavelle, had steam heat added, and put in an early electric plant a year later. Telephone service was added in around 1900.
  
  Starting in about 1919 the first floor was remodeled, and used as a Ford showroom. In year 2005 a kitchen-bathroom remodeling business in using the first floor. The second and third floors, and the cupola, are said to be in mostly original condition, save that plastic siding now covers the outside walls.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph at the left, top row, above is from about 1910. The one at the left, center row, is perhaps from 1985 to 1990 - perhaps the age of the trucks can be identified. Clearly the house is in the context of a thriving neighborhood, although it has been severely modified. The one at the right, center row, is undated, but contemporary. The house appears to be in a derelict area, and its condition might be no better than the buildings around it. There might have been a fire, or the area might have suffered economic decline. This is the fate of many old octagon houses today. Finding themselves in declining neighborhoods, they are often cut up in to apartments, and then run in to the ground, after which they are razed, or used for fire practice.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer. Dana Laird supplis the photo of the boarded up structure.
  Entered: September, 2002
  Updated: April, 2003
  Updated: July, 2005
  Updated: July, 2009
  Updated September, 2009
  Updated November, 2009

Niagara County

• Niagara Falls. The Niagara octagon house. The house is mentioned in the August 9, 1927, newspaper piece, in the first full paragraph of the second column. It's shown on a 1908 map of Niagara Falls, off Bellevue Avenue, near the water's edge, with a pink roof. As the newspaper piece suggests, the house was probably demolished some time shortly after August, 1927.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Ellen Puerzer. Maureen Fennie, Niagara Falls Public Library.
  Updated August, 2009
  Updated December, 2009

Oneida County

• Barneveld. Octagon house. Built 1852 by Jacob Wicks. Located at 107 Vanderkamp Avenue. Each side is 13 feet 5 inches. Two story. Cupola. Photo in the source.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  2005 photograph.
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 147, "The Octagon Fad," Carl F. Schmidt, and Karen May.
  Entered: July, 2001.
  Updated: May, 2005.
• Deansboro. Octagon house. Two story. Cupola. Porch on perhaps three sides. Appears to be in very good condition.
  
  2005 photograph.
  
  Sources: R. Kline, Karen May.
  Entered: September, 2002
  Updated: May, 2005
• Hawkinsville. Octagon house. Built in the 1840s. Located on the west side of the river.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002
• Utica. Octagon house. Built in 1850 - 1860. Located at 2620 Genesee Street.
  Source: Roberta Walsh.
  Entered: April, 2005

Onondaga County

• Baldwinsville. The Lee Fletcher octagon house. Located at West Genesee and North Streets.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated September, 2009
• Camillus. Octagon house. The Isaiah Wilcox house. Built in 1856. 5420 West Genesee Street. Two story. Cupola. Thick walls made of cobblestones and concrete. Circular staircase from the basement to the cupola. Open to public as museum. Listed, National Register. Brief article and photo..
• Cedervale. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1870. Located one mile south of the village in a place called "Mudville." Now used as a farm building.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002
• Cedervale. Octagon house. Built in the 1850's. Located on Tanner Road.
  Source: Roberta Walsh
  Entered: April, 2005
• Lafayette. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in the 1850s.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Lysander. Octagon house. The Teall-Ekross house. Built in the 1850s.
  Source: R. Kline.
  Entered: September, 2002
• Marcellus. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1865. Located at 2869 Seal Road, about two miles south of town. One story, The cupola mainly provides ventilation. Located two miles south of town at Seal and Slatehille roads. A one room schoolhouse as late as 1948, it is now a residence.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis, "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt, and Joy Long, the owner in 2006. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: June, 2006
  Updated: June, 2009
  Updated January, 2010
• East of Marcellus. Octagon school. Known as District 9. Located between Cards Corners and Marcellus, on the Seneca Turnpike. Built in 1867 to replace a log schoolhouse.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The postcard photograph at the right, above, is circa 1900.
  
  Sources: Dave Porter. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: January, 2007.
  Updated January, 2010
• Marcellus. Octagon schoolhouse. The Onondaga Hill school, located on Tanner Valley Road. As of year 2006, the school still exists, and is said to look very much like the photograph shown below, taken in the 1950s.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt, Joy Long, who owns another former octagon school in the area..
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2006.
• Otisco. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1841. Located on the corner of Octagon Road and Route 80. Classes were held until 1939/40. Beatrice Nolan was the last teacher. Became a private residence in 1947.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Elle Puerzer. Eleanor L. Preston - Tully Area Historical Society.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: May, 2009
• Otisco. Octagon house. The Tallman house. Built in the early 1870s. Located on North Street (now known as Warren Street). Torn down a number of years ago.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer. Eleanor L. Preston - Tully Area Historical Society.
  Entered: September, 2002
  Updated: May, 2009
• Plainville. Octagon house. The Schenck-Reed house. Built about 1860.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer. The January 17, 2001,edition of The Baldwinsville, NY, Messenger.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated September, 2009
  Updated October, 2009
• South of Skaneateles. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1859, by Quakers, as a girls dormitory. Now a dwelling. Located on the corner of West Lake and Benson streets. Brick construction. Four gables. Was known as "The Bee Hive."
  
  Contemporary photograph.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  On the right, above, is a HABS photo, taken in 1936. The photograph on the left was taken in about 1959.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. A photograph comes from Carl Schmidt's second book of octagon houses, issued in about 1959. Ellen Puerzer. HABS.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: March, 2004
  Updated: November, 2007
  Updated: May, 2009
• South Onondaga. Septagon house. Built around 1850 by either Rufus or Tobias Gilbert. Acquired by Jared Parsons Jr. in the 1860s. A son, Jared Ives Parsons eventually was given the house and land. In the early 1900s the house was obtained by a Mr. Chase, and then by Mr. and Mrs Ray Tanner, who lived in the house until 1952. It has been owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burt since 1952. An unusual example of a irregular seven sided house. Five sides are one size, and two another. Often mistakenly called an octagon house.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Syracuse. Octagon house. Built about 1870, perhaps by W. Douglas, who owned the house in 1874. Located at 707 Oakwood Avenue. One story, wood. Each side is ten feet long.
  
  Left click on the image below for a larger version.
  
  
  
  
  Source: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 58.
  Entered: July, 2001.
• Syracuse. Octagon house. The Pierce-McAuliffe Built in 1854. Located at 514 Bear Street.Two story. No cupola.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph at the left, above, might have been taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2002
  Updated January, 2010

Ontario County

• Canandaigua. Octagon House. Built in 1860. 116 Gorham Street. Two story, cupola. Recently remodeled. Had been a multiple family dwelling. Once owned by NY State Senator John Raines. Raines was born May 6, 1840, in Canandaigua, and died December 16, 1909. Served in the Civil War.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Photo provided by Jean Heffernan.
  
  Sources: E.H.Rodney. Jean Heffernan. Aurina.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: December, 2001.
  Updated September, 2009
• Geneva. Octagon house. Built in 1853 by Nehemia Denton for a Mr. Moore. Located at 760 Castle Street. Stone foundation, two story, brick walls seventeen and a half feet long, cupola. Central stairhall and spiral staircase. Located on North Street, at the State Agricultural Experimental Station.
  
  Photograph of east side
  
  Photograph of west side.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  Sources: Jean Heffernan.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: December, 2001.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Naples. Octagon House. West and Lyons Street.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Julia Dyke. Ellen Puerzer. E. H. Rodney. "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 139. Photo.
  Entered: May, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.

Orange County.

• Middletown. Octagon house. The Hasbrouck house. Built in 1857 by John W. Hasbrouck and his wife Lydia. Torn down in 1919 to build the Memorial School on Linden Avenue.
  
  Left click on the image below for a larger version.
  
  
  
  Source: brief description and photo.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: March, 2009.
• Monroe. Octagon carriage house. Totally remodeled.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Port Jervis. Octagon house. Located on Sun Tan Lake.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002
• Walden. Octagon house. Built in the 1860s. Located at 8 Maple Street. Now a two family apartment.
  
  Photograph - front view,
  
  Photograph - side view,
  
  The different angle to the sun might or might not explain the color differences.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Jim Augustine supplied the photographs.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: November 26, 2006

Orleans County.

• Kent. Octagon house. The Hobbes-Warren house. Built in 1860. Located on 1403 Bills Road, north of town. Altered.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Photograph - side view,
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt. Peter Calvert supplied a current photograph. Don Felice.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: January, 2004.
• Lyndonville. Hexagon house. The Tarbox-Baun house. Built in 1850. Located at 11886 East Lake Shore Drive. Greek Revival details. Cupola removed. Each side is 18 feet 5 inches long. As of January, 2004, it appears the house is under going some kind of work.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: M. Culver; The Octagon Fad (showing floor plan), pp. 76-77, 194. Peter Calvert provided a photograph.Ellen Puerzer. Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: January, 2004
  Updated: April, 2009.

Oswego County.

• Constantia. Octagon house. Located on Main Street ( Rt. 49 ) in town. Each side is 13 feet 5 inches long.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis; "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: August, 2002.
• Oswego. Octagon house.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The image above, left, which give the general ideal of what the house looked like, is from the Oswego Palladium Times, November 20, 1913. The right had image mentions a church being built near the house.
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2009.
• Richland. Octagon house. Originally built by a pond, and later moved to some unknown site.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated October, 2009
• Suttons Corners. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1866. Located on Route 49 east of Fulton. The walls are 14" thick and made of grout. Now used as a residence.
  
  Photograph, probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis; "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: August, 2002.

Otsego County.

• Oneonta. Octagon house. Built in 1868 or 1870, for Steven Bull, brother of professor Nathaniel Bull. Three story, Located at 16 Grand Street. Mansard roof. Converted to four apartments in the 1920s, thereby destroying the interior. A segment of an 1884 map of Oneonta shows the building at the center of the image.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Aerial view,
  
  The owners as of 2003 were in the process of restoring the structure to a one family home. As of November, 2008, the house is for sale.
  
  
  
  Sources: R. Kline, Dave Fineout, the current owner, and Dale Travis..
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: August, 2002.
  Updated: November, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2003.
  Updated: November, 2008.
• Maryland. Octagon house. Built in 1847. Nothing else known.
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: September, 2002.
• Portlandville. a.k.a. Maryland. Octagon house. Built in 1847. Located on the east side of the Susquehanna River, about one and a half miles northeast of town. Each side is 12 feet long.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photos aboe are circa 1947.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer. Sarah Wilcox, NYSHA Research Libarary.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated November, 2009
• Unadilla. Octagon house. Built in or before 1887. Located at 21 Watson Street, next to a Baptist church. Two story. Cupola. Additions on two side. A segment of an 1887 map of Unadilla shows the building at the center of the image.
  
  Photograph. The house appears to be in excellent condition.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Dale Travis. Peter Mogavero, who supplied the photograph.
  Entered: July, 2002.
  Updated: September, 2003.

Queens County.

• Forest Hills. Octagon house.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.

Rensselaer County.

• Hoosick Falls. Octagon house. The Estabrook-Dodge house. Built 1853. Located at 8 River Street. Cast concrete. Now a commercial property.
  
  Photograph, probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Contemporary photograph.
  
  Sources: Brief description and "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt. Dale Travis supplies contemporary photographs.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: February, 2003.
  Updated: November, 2005.

Richmond County (Staten Island)

• Tottenville. Octagon house. 1856 Beach St. Later named Page st. In 1865, William Page (1811-1866), a prominent American artist purchased land in Tottenville, and built a three-story octagonal house shortly thereafter on the west side of a private road that would later become Page Avenue. The house was demolished sometime in the late 1920's. Octagon Home overlooked the Staten Island Sound. . A studio formed an important feature of the residence. For many years Page lived there, on Beach Street, as it was then called, although it has now been named in his honor, Page Avenue. "Folly Farm," as it was called burned down some 15 or 20 years ago, (1980s.) but a grove of trees marks the site where the foundation stones of the house are still visible.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer. Collection of the Staten Island Historical Society.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: May, 2009.
  Updated August, 2009

Rockland County

• Irvington. Octagon house. Five story. Domed. Located on Tappan Zee Road.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.

St. Lawrence County

• Brasher Falls. Octagon house. Built sometime between 1850 and 1874. West Main St. Two story. Cupola. Now vacant, being restored. Entered in the National Register of Historic Places.
  
  Left click on the image below for a larger version.
  
  
  
  The image above is undated. The house is octagon in shape, not hexagon as the image suggests.
  
  Contemporary photograph.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Dale Travis and Ellen Puerzer provide the photograph.
  Entered: April, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2004
  Updated: March, 2009
• Ogdensburg. Octagon house. Located on Ogdensburg Free Academy campus.
  Source: Roberta Walsh
  Entered: April, 2005.

Saratoga County

• Crescent. Octagon house. Located on Church Hill Drive. Two story. The house originally had a cupola, but now has gables on the roof on four sides.
  
  George Harris, who grew up in the house, relates the following:
  

  "A rephotographed picture I took of a photo of my dad's octagon house in Crescent (New York,Saratoga County). The original photo was believed to have been taken, based on research by my dad, in the late 1870s. Not to many years later, gable roofs were added and the cupola removed. The house, built in 1853, originally overlooked the Erie Canal crossing the Mohawk River on the Crescent Aqueduct . The build date is based on half-dimes dated 1853 that were found inside the walls during renovation work. When the Barge Canal was built in the early 1900's, replacing the Erie Canal, the new dams elevated the river pool so that the house is now surrounded on two sides by the river. The road that used to service the front of the house in the 1800's is now underwater and a new road was built behind the house, Church Hill Road. The floor plan is quite well laid out. The original front of the house used the two corners for double door entrances and for spiral stairways to the second floor. There is a central fireplace with hearths on two opposing main floor rooms. The original kitchen was in the basement with a dumb waiter that serviced the dining room. The house is quite large with sixteen foot sides. My mom and dad lived there over fifty years and I grew up in the house with my sister. I'm also including for your information, a picture of the Crescent Aqueduct taken sometime before 1915. Church Hill can be seen in the background, The octagon house was further to the right (east) just out of the picture as the hill went back down to the water."

  
  
  Photograph, likely taken in the late 1870s.
  
  Photograph, likely taken in the early 1900s. The house is located on Church Hill, shown in the background, but is just off the right side of the photograph, which shows the view the house had. Later, the aqueduct, which carried a canal across the Mohawk river, was demolished, and a dam built about a mile downstream. The river area rose about ten feet after the dam was constructed.
  
  A current photograph, of the area shows the house now on the waterline. It is about two inches from the right edge of the photograph.
  
  Sketch showing the relationship of the aqueduct, the approximate spot where the photograph above was taken from, and the location of the octagon house, not shown, but just to the right of the photograph.
  
  Photograph, likely taken in the late 1800s. The roof has been converted to the use gables. and the cupola removed. The photograph shows the south side of the house, and was taken from a spot that would later be under water.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. George Harris, who provides detailed information, the photographs, and the sketch .
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated: August, 2003.
  Updated: January, 2004.
• Gansevoort. Octagon house. Built in 1853. Located on Clark Road, about two miles northeast of town. Each side is 18 feet 8 inches long.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis, and "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: August, 2002.
• Round Lake. Octagon house. Built in 1885. Located at 19 Andrews Street.
  
  Contemporary photograph
  
  Sources: Dale Travis and Susan Germain, who supplied the photograph..
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: August, 2007.
• Schuylerville. Octagon house. Located at 9 Burgoyne Street. Construction date unknown. Two story. Porch on three sides.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Source: R. Kline.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated: April, 2009.
  Updated February, 2010
• Stillwater. Octagon house. Built in 1858 by Theodore Baker, whose other accomplishments include 19 sons. The house has a slightly unusual roof line. Located at 67 Hudson Avenue. A segment of an 1889 map of Stillwater shows the building at the center of the image.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  

  ,

  ,

  
  
  Both photos were taken in 1938 or 1939 by Croswell Bowen, and contributed by his daughter, Lucey Bowen.
  
  Photograph, perhaps taken in the 1950s.
  
  Contemporary photograph
  
  A newspaper piece about the Stillwater octagon house shows a lot of detail about the efforts of the current owners to restore the house, which is apparently already in very good condition.
  
  Sources: Wayne & Brita Donovan, the current owners; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.Lucey Bowen.
  Entered: December, 2002.
  Updated: December, 2006.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Stillwater. Octagon house. Existed as of at least 1889. Strange architecture. A single story octagon house, with a rectangular second story. Located at about 17 Main Street, now Hudson Avenue, as well as routes 4 and 32. A segment of an 1889 map of Stillwater shows the building at the center of the image.
  
  Contemporary photograph
  
  Sources: R. Kline and Susan Germain, who supplied the photograph..
  Entered: December, 2002.
  Updated: August, 2007.

Schenectady County

• Duanesburg. Octagon house. Built in 1868 by Alexander Delos "Boss" Jones for Nathan Jenkins. Two stories, walls 14 feet long. One and a half inch by five inch planks used on walls, which were to serve as a base for plaster. Located on NY 395, just north of the village line.
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The person in the right hand photograph is Alexander Delos Jones.
  
  Sources: "The Octagon House: A Home for All," Orson S. Fowler. Dover Books reprint, 1973. Page 179. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: July, 2001.
  Updated: May, 2009.
• Duanesburg. Shute octagon house. Located on McGuire School Road. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Quite possibly from the Fowler period. Two story. Wood exterior. From the angle of the photograph below it it not clear whether there is a cupola.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  It appears the porch in the earlier photo was lost over the years.
  
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: April, 2002.
  Updated: July, 2007.
  Updated: May, 2009.

Schoharie County

• Middleburg. Octagon house. Built in 1853 by the brothers John Calvin and Henry Mattice. Originally the home was a duplex, built for the use of the two brothers. Two stories, with a cupola. It is located at 3924 Route 30, near the base of Vroman's Nose, a local landmark.
  Jeni Friedland supplied the following document:
  
  Page 1
  
  Page 2
  
  Page 3
  
  Page 4
  
  Photograph, probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Larger version of the photograph above.
  
  The following photographs show the context of the house, and some contemporary interior scenes.
  
  Context:
  
  Photograph 2
  
  Photograph 3
  
  Photograph 4
  
  Photograph 5
  
  Photograph 6
  
  Photograph 7
  
  Interior scenes:
  
  Photograph 8
  
  Photograph 9
  
  Photograph 10
  
  Photograph 11
  
  Photograph 12
  
  Photograph 13
  
  Sources: Emily Plishner; Jeni Friedland; Dale Travis; "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: March, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2003.
  Updated: March, 2004.
  Updated: April, 2006.
  Updated: December, 2006.
• Richmondville. Octagon house. Built in the 1850s by Peter Boughton and his brother. Located on River Street. Two story. Each side is 8 feet 10 inches.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph at left, above, was probably taken in the 1950s. The right was taken in 2009.
  
  Source: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer. Joan Sondergaard, Richmondville Historical Society Curator.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.
• Schoharie. Octagon house. The Schwartz-Westfall house. Built in 1854. Located on Grand Street.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph on the left, above, was probably taken in the 1950s. The one on the right was taken in the summer of 1989.
  
  Sources: R. Kline, "More About Octagons," Carl F. Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated: June, 2009.

Schuyler County.

• Hector. Octagon schoolhouse. Located about one and half miles northwest of the village, on a hilltop overlooking the east side of Leneca Lake. I was originally on the other side of the road.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.

Steuben County.

• Hammondsport. Octagon house. The Younglove house. Built in 1859 by Timothy Younglove. Pleasant Valley Road. Stucco walls, 20 feet long, are 18 inches thick. A porch was added later. Two stories, cupola. Leonard Paul Wood Jr. was the last descendant to own the Younglove homestead, and sold it in 1965, at which time the house was already in need of repair. An octagon barn and smokehouse are now gone.
  
  Photograph from perhaps the 1920s.
  
  As can be seen in the contemporary photographs below, the house has been badly neglected. It's not clear from the photographs whether it is ( hopefully ) being worked on, or has been abandoned. Clearly the house was majestic in earlier days.
  
  Photograph - front and left side,
  
  Photograph - right side,
  
  Aerial photograph taken about 2006
  
  As of 2007 the house has apparently been rennovated, and converted to a B&B.
  
  Bed and breakfast.
  
  The B&B website has a large number of photographs of the inside and outside of the house as well as a nice historical summary.
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Peter Calvert supplied contemporary photographs.Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: June, 2003.
  Updated: January, 2004.
  Updated: August, 2007.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Prattsburgh. Octagon house. Built in 1852 by Henry Hopkins, who had a sawmill on the property. Two story, large cupola. Each side is 17'4" long. Mentioned in "The Octagon Fad," by Carl F. Schmidt. Two story.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph at the left, above, shows the house originally had a porch extending around at least four sides.
  
  Photograph,
  
  Sources: Kirk and Julie Dyke, the current owners. Peter Calvert supplied the photograph.
  Entered: May, 2002.
  Updated: January, 2004.
  Updated: June, 2009.

Suffolk County

• Box Hill. Octagon house. Built in 1895. Kate Anette Wetherill Estate, Harbor Road. Colonial Revival house, designed by Stanford White. Also octagonal pump house.
  
  Left click on the image below for a larger version.
  
  
  
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: April, 2002.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Brentwood. Octagon house. Built in 1869.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Source: E. Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2009.
  Updated December, 2009
  
• Brentwood. Octagon school. Modern Times School. Built 1857 and relocated in 1989. Located on Third Avenue.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated September, 2009
• Deer Park. Octagon house. Now gone. Two story
  Source: R. Kline.
  Entered: September, 2002.
• East Williamsburg. John J. Brown octagon house. Built in the early 1850s. Demolished.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated February, 2010
• Huntington. Octagon house. Built in 1859. Located at 41 Prime Avenue.

  A person familiar with the house provides the following:

  " The Prime Octagon House was constructed circa 1859. It is Huntington’s only example of the octagon style of architecture. The architect and builder are unknown. The house reflects the innovative architectural concepts of Orson S. Fowler, the designer and promoter of the octagon style. It is a two story structure with stucco walls and a nearly flat hipped roof. The building is distinguished by a projecting denticulated cornice with brackets and a square cupola with ventilator panels. The paired six over six double hung sash windows have heavily molded surrounds and bracket supported window sills.

  The house is loosely patterned after the plans of the John J. Brown house in Willamsburgh, New York. The projecting bracketed cornice and paired windows with bracket supported sills were copied from the Brown house plans.

  The original wrap around porch was removed in the mid-twentieth century and replaced with a smaller gable roof entrance porch with square columns. The interior of the house is relatively unaltered and retains its wall and ceiling finishes, trim, flooring and overall plan. The first floor was built with Rosedale cement and gravel dug from the cellar. The second floor is composed of brick with stucco coating. The exterior walls are 18 inches thick. The general condition of the house is excellent.

  The house is historically associated with Ezra C. Prime, the prosperous local thimble manufacturer. Born in Huntington, Prime worked in the silver business in New York City and opened his own factory producing thimbles. Prior to his factory being opened, all thimbles sold in the United States were imported from Europe. By 1859, Prime had the octagon house built, although it is not known whether it was for his own use or that of an employee. By 1860 he had opened Prime Avenue from Main Street to Mill Lane and owned land on both sides. He proceeded to build a dam on his property and used the water power to operate his factory. Prime’s business flourished until the 1880's. Today, Heckscher Park occupies the site of Prime's thimble factory and the Octagon House remains as one of two unaltered structures associated with Huntington's nineteenth century industrial development and the locally prominent Prime family."

  
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  
  

  
  
  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer. Dana Laird supplies the photograph.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: April, 2003.
  Updated: July, 2003.
  Updated: March, 2009.
  Updated November, 2009
• Huntington. Octagon house. Located at Prince Avenue and Lake Place. Demolished in the 1930s.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  The piece abova, from the June 4, 1900 edition of The Eagle, mentions the rental of the house.
  
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated September, 2009
• Mattituck. Octagon house. Built 1854. Located on Main Road.Two stories. Large cupola. Porch on three sides.
  
  
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: brief mention. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• Northport. Irregular octagon house.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The photograph above, left, is from the March, 1913, issue of Country Life in America. The house was remodeled in the early 20th century by a Mrs. J. S. Schneider. The image at the right, above, is from the September 8, 1900, issue of The Brooklyn Eagle.
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated: July, 2009.
  Updated September, 2009
• Northport. Hexagon house.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Patchogue, LI. Octagon house. Built in the 1880s. Located on Maple Avenue. Moved from the original location on Ocean Avenue.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated August, 2009
• Sag Harbor. Octagon house. Springhouse.
  Source: Roberta Walsh.
  Entered: April, 2005.
• Stony Brook. Apparently once called Smithtown. Long Island. Also known as the Berehyl House. Built in 1860s by Silas or George Davis. Formerly a barn. Converted to a house in 1938, and restored in 1973. Built in to a hill to keep cattle warm. Held two cows in the basement, and carriages on the second floor.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer. Carl Schmidt, "More About Octagons."
  Entered: October, 2002.
• Westhampton Beach. Octagon house. Built about 1900. Located on Beach Lane. Owned by the Burcher family in the 1940s and 1950s, and then by William Burcher, a son. As of August, 2009, the house appears to be partially squared.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated August, 2009
• Yaphank. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1864. Remodeled in 1926 and used as a firehouse. It then held the library until 1971. Now serves as a district office. Use of the octagon shape for the schoolhouse was suggested by William J. Weeks.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2004.
  Updated: May, 2009.
• Yaphank. Yaphank was formerly one of many Millvill's in NY, which necessitated the name change. Octagon house. Built in 1848 by William J. Weeks built the house and lived there with his wife Mary and their 12 children. Burned in the 1950s. Three story. An octagonal foundation still exists. Located on what is today East Main Street. Weeks also suggest that the town octagon school use that shape.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The exterior photographs above were taken in 1895. It's possible the interior Photograph was taken at the same time. Note that the third story is very different in appearance from the rest of the house. Perhaps it was added later.
  
  Top right, the parlor. Bottom left, breakfast room. Bottom, second from left, sitting room. Bottom, second from right, sitting room, looking towards the parlor. Bottom right, William J. Weeks, who lived in the house with his wife Mary and their 12 children.
  
  
  Sources: Ellen Puerzer. Karen Mouzakes, Yaphank Historical Society.
  Entered: May, 2009.

Tioga County

• Newark Valley. Octagon carriage barn.
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.

Tompkins County

• Etna. Octagon schoolhouse. Built in 1827. Each side is 12 feet 6 inches. In continuous use until 1941. Now owned by the DeWitt Historical Society.
  
  Photograph, probably taken in the 1950s.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis; "More About Octagons" Carl F. Schmidt.
  Entered: August, 2002.
• Ithaca. Octagon (possibly hexagonal) schoolhouse. On Hanshaw Road, outside Ithaca.
  Source: Bruce Marcham.
  Entered: June, 2001.

Ulster County

• Kingston. Octagon house. The Robert G. Boonsteel house, named after the owner, who was an ice dealer, and died in 1869. Built in 1855, of local brick and bluestone, in the Italianate style. Located at 693 Broadway - the street was called Union Avenue when the house was built. Now a display room for an electrical appliance dealer.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  The photograph on the bottom row, left, was taken in 1938 or 1939 by Croswell Bowen.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Sheryl Chisamore. Lucey Bowen. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: September, 2005.
  Updated: April, 2009.
  Updated September, 2009
• Marlboro. Octagon House. The DuBois/Sarles Octagon House. Apparently built between 1850 and 1855. Two and a half story. Siding rather than traditional stucco. Mansard roof.
  
  The owners provide the following:
  
  

  As Orson S. Fowler said "Every living thing must have its habitation." Carmen & Terry have found their perfect 21^st Century habitation to be in a 19^th Century Octagon House.  This home was built for General DuBois in the mid 19^th Century, approximately 1850-1855.  It is located in Marlboro, New York about 70 miles north of New York City and on the opposite side of the Hudson River from Fowler's home town of Fishkill. Orson Fowler, who made the architectural style of the octagon house famous in the middle to the 19^th Century, described the perfect home as one that combines most instrumentalities for safety, enjoyment, and comfort. 

  The DuBois/Sarles Octagon House, which was built around the 1850's by an unknown architect, stands proudly on three acres of mature landscaping at the end of the Village. It is a practical home full of all the amenities and practical facilities for the entire family of the 19^th Century coupled with all the conveniences of modern times plus the benefits of functionality. This home has been built for the conveniences of both sexes. It has a solid practical foundation built out of bricks, cement, and stone while its interior design was arranged to facilitate the purposes of the different rooms.  All the rooms in the house are easily accessible from each to all, connected by doors, stairs and entry ways. All the rooms in our home are conveniently located to each other, facilitating a smooth navigation throughout the house, encouraging family interactions and making housework less strenuous.

  Terry & Carmen's Octagon House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the DuBois/Sarles Octagon House was given national historical acknowledgment in November 12, 2002. 

  This home has served as a perfect private heaven for only three families: the DuBois Family, Sarles Family, and Elizondo/Clouse Family and stands as a successful realization of the dream of having the perfect habitation.         

  
  
  Front, right photograph,
  
  Back, left photograph,
  
  Source: Carmen Elizondo/Clouse and Terry Clouse, the owners.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated: October, 2003.
• Saugerties. Octagon house. Located on Russell Street. Two story.
  
  Front, left photograph.
  
  Aerial view
  
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: September, 2006.
  Updated: April, 2009.

Washington County

• Fort Edward. Octagon house. Now gone. Nothing else known.
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: September, 2002.
• Hudson Falls. Octagon house. Construction date unknown. Razed in the 1940s. Located on Maple Street.Two story. Cupola.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer. Photos were taken in 1938 or 1939 by Croswell Bowen, and contributed by his daughter, Lucey Bowen.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated: April, 2009.
• North Argyle. Octagon house. Now gone.
  Source: R. Kline
  Entered: September, 2002.

Wayne County

• Village of Alloway, just south of Lyons. Built in 1832. Octagon blacksmith shop. Two stories. Cobblestone construction. Owed by Cleve Friend, who was a working blacksmith for many years. Now used as a storehouse ( The time frame of "Now" is unclear; this information was taken from an undated newspaper piece.)
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The center photograph, above is from "More About Octagons," and possibly taken in the 1950s.
  
  Photograph.
  
  Sources: Jean Heffernan, Canandaigua, NY, provided the newspaper clipping from which this information was taken. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2001.
  Updated November, 2009
• Clyde. Octagon house. The Bissell-Gillette house. Built in the 1870s. Located at 273 Glascow Street.
  
  Photograph. The car in the photograph suggests that it was taken in the 1950s.
  
  Source: "More About Octagons," Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: September, 2002.
• Sodus Point. Octagon cottage. Built in 1900, by Seymour Scott, of Lyons. Stone masonry first story, followed by two wood stories. Each story is graduated, like a windmill.
  
  

  Left click on the images below for larger versions.

  
  
  The postcard, above right, is circa 1908.
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated February, 2010
• Williamson. Octagon House. Built in 1864. Located at 617 Ridge Road West. A great deal of detailed information has been provided about this house by Jean Heffernan, as well as about a blacksmith shop in the village of Alloway. This is one of only a few examples floor plans available on this site at this time. Hopefully more will become available later, together with interior photographs. Many details are available in the histories included here.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  

  Undated photo. Probably around 1964.

  Contemporary photo. Year 2000.

  Another contemporary photo. Year 2000.

  Contemporary real estate ad. Year 2000.

  Detailed floor plan.

  Detailed history - part 1.

  Detailed history - part 2.

  
  Source: Steve Wray and Jean Heffernan.
  Entered: June and September, 2001.

Westchester County

• Banksville. Octagon house. Built in 1859 by country doctor Ralph B. Griswold. He sold the house to Lizzie Crespo in about 1890, and she later sold it to the Middle Parent Methodist Church. In 1921 it returned to private ownership. It was purchased by Thomas Birdsell in 1961. Also said to be located in North Castle, near Banksville, but has Banksville P.O. address. Located at 47 Round House Road.
  
  Two story, cupola, and clapboard construction. The porch extends around the house.
  
  Updated photograph
  
  Photograph
  
  Rough photographs of Ralph B. Griswold and wife Mary Jane.
  
  Aerial view of the house, which sits on 0.7 acres
  
  Multiple views of the house and land
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. James Buick.
  Entered: August, 2002.
  Updated: March, 2008.
• Irvington. Octagon house. Built in 1860 by banker and broker Paul J. Armour. Said to be perhaps the most lavish from the 1850-1860 period. In 1872, Joseph Stiner, wealthy tea merchant, substantially remodeled and enlarged the house. Last sold to Joseph Pell Lombardi, an architect specializing in historic preservation, the house is now in the process of being restored. Available for group tours by appointment.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  

  Left click on any item below for a much larger version

  2	3	4	5
  6	7	8	9
  10	11	12	13
  14	15	16	17
  18	19	20	21
  22

  
  
  Sources: Dale Travis. Suzanne Wray. HABS project.
  Entered: August, 2002
  Updated: June, 2009.
  Updated November, 2009
• Peekskill. Octagon library. Built 1880. Razed sometime in the 1960s. Located at 532 Smith Street. Was orginally used as a horse stable by the Sherwood Stage service. In 1887 the upper floor was converted to Peekskill's first public library. It was moved in the 1920s.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. Ellen Puerzer. John Curran, Peekskill historian.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated February, 2010
• Rye. The Billip octagon house. The Billip house. Located on North Street and Railroad Avenue. Occupied by Pauline Billip until 1913. Then owned by John Sterline, who rented it to the Billip family for 50 years. Razed in the 1940s.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: R. Kline. Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: September, 2002.
  Updated: July, 2009.
• White Plains. Octagon house.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Sources: Ellen Puerzer. Robert Hoch, President, White Plains Historical Society.
  Entered: June, 2001.
  Updated October, 2009
• Yonkers. Hexagon house. Probably built in 1852. On Yonders Avenue, a short distance west of where it crosses over the Saw Mill River Parkway. Two story. It appears that the house is largely in good condition - the roof, sides, and foundation appear to be in good condition.
  
  Photograph.,
  
  Source: Don Gilligan, who supplied both the site and the photograph.
  Entered: May, 2002.

Wyoming County.

• Arcade. Octagon house. Built in the 1920s. Located at 124 Park Street.
  Source: Dale Travis.
  Entered: August, 2002.
• Wyoming. 12-sided house.
  
  

  Left click on the image below for a larger version.

  

  
  
  Source: Ellen Puerzer.
  Entered: February, 2010.

Yates County.

• Penn Yan. Octagon carriage house. Located at 312 Clinton Street.
  
  

  

  
  
  Sources: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt. E. Puerzer.
  Entered: October, 2002.
  Updated September, 2009
• Rushville. Round school house. Cobblestone. Single story.
  
  Photograph, possibly taken in the 1950s.
  
  Source: "More About Octagons" Carl Schmidt.
  Entered: October, 2002.