Question: Both of these gentlemen were part of village government. Do you recognize them? Do you know where the photo was taken and what they may have been discussing?
Last week’s answer: The Victorian residence featured in last week’s mystery photo has had several uses since it was built in 1866. The structure was built as a carriage house to complement the large Italianate home built by Samuel Bisdee at 38 W. Genesee St., the northeast corner of Genesee and North streets.
Carriage houses and barns were standard outbuildings that served the needs of a society whose transportation vehicles were horse drawn. Upscale homes were more likely to have a carriage house to accommodate vehicles and tack. Occasionally the carriage house would also serve as a stable and some had second-story living quarters for the groom.
Typically, a carriage house reflected the architecture of the owner’s home as in the case of the Bisdee residence and this outbuilding. Both structures have Italianate features and are made of brick.
Prominently located, featuring the latest in architectural fashion, larger than any neighboring dwelling and constructed of brick, the home bore testimony to the wealth and status of its owner, Samuel Bisdee.
A native of England, Bisdee came to Baldwinsville in 1842 and began a 50-year career as an entrepreneur, civic leader and real estate developer. Bisdee’s business ventures varied from retail to the tobacco industry, all of which were met with great success. Real estate investment and development was an ongoing activity. At one time Bisdee owned so many properties on the south side that a street bore his name. Bisdee street ran between Syracuse Street and the river; it is now known as Grove Street. Agricultural property was also in his portfolio.
Bisdee was both admired and well liked by his fellow B’villians. He served a term as village president (the office now called “mayor”), was active in Grace Episcopal Church, and developed notable expertise as an agriculturalist. He promoted agricultural education and local fairs and expositions where his entries often garnered highest honors.
Samuel Bisdee passed away in July, 1891 at the age of 75 and was buried in Riverview Cemetery. His home was sold later that year to Nicholas Hee; consideration was $5,000. The house remained in the Hee family until 1977.
During the intervening years the carriage house underwent two transitions. As gasoline-powered vehicles replaced horse drawn conveyances, the carriage house was used as a garage. A third life was soon to follow as the large home and carriage house property at 38 W. Genesee St. was subdivided. The former carriage house/garage transitioned into a residence and was given the address of 38 W. Genesee St. The large Italianate house was designated as 40 W. Genesee St., and is now a residence and home of Baker Photography.
Sally Dayger called the Messenger with the correct answer. She lives next door.
Email your guess to [email protected] or leave a message at 315-434-8889 ext. 332 with your guess by noon Friday. If you are the first person to correctly identify an element in the photo before the deadline, your name and guess will appear in next week’s newspaper, along with another History Mystery feature. History Mystery is a joint project of the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse and the Baldwinsville Public Library.
