This week’s question: This fine group of men was very much a part of the Baldwinsville community as well as the surrounding areas. They developed an exemplary reputation for a number of years. What did they do to earn the accolades?
Last week’s answer: Last week’s image featured the Italianate-style brick residence of Wallace Tappan. Built in 1880 on the southeast corner of Oswego and East Oneida streets, the home was constructed of brick and faced Oswego Street where it stands yet today. Its first owner occupied a position of great prominence in the community and the house itself has an unusual story.
In 1880, Baldwinsville was a bustling industrial village whose population ranged from blue-collar working class folk to wealthy entrepreneurs and land owners. Less than 100 years earlier the same area was uncharted wilderness forest whose only asset was the Seneca River, a vital water highway and rich fishing ground used by Native Americans.
The youngest son of early Van Buren pioneer Col. Gabriel Tappan and grandson of John McHarrie, Wallace Tappan was born in 1829. Educated, energetic and undaunted, he was outstandingly successful in his many enterprises ranging from farming and mercantile to politics and public service. A prolific writer and impressive speaker, Tappan promoted agriculture, horticulture, public education and establishment of a village water system. Transportation was among his many interests, from railroad service to road building and maintenance. He was knowledgeable and outspoken. An authority on tobacco, he was also a highly successful dealer in this area’s leading cash crop.
As local industry and the economy grew in both wealth and sophistication, B’villians did as well. Once a street with a few modest homes of area tradesmen, the Oswego Street hill became desirable real estate for large fashionable residences. Tappan desired to have a home on the hilltop.
The only undeveloped corner lot was owned by W. F. Morris, a distinguished citizen, successful entrepreneur and a gentleman with whom Tappan did not have a good relationship. Morris refused to sell to Tappan. Tappan then entered into an arrangement with James Connell, a younger member of the “mover and shaker” set. Morris sold the lot to Connell for $1,500; Connell then sold half of the lot to Tappan. Both men erected similar large homes on their respective halves. Connell’s became 80 Oswego St. and Tappan’s was numbered 82.
Construction on Tappan’s home began in March of 1880 and was completed by the end of October that same year. During construction the family lived in the carriage house which is also seen in the sketch.
Wallace and his wife Frances had six children, only three of whom lived to adulthood. Frances was also involved in village social and civic life. The Gazette noted that at the 1882 Fair she exhibited a “pair of chairs that were over 150 years old.” Another issue reported that she had been a schoolmate of Grover Cleveland’s at “the old academy in Fayetteville.”
Over the years the Tappan home morphed from a prominent residence into a multi-family apartment house with insufficient space to accommodate its residents’ vehicles. The former carriage house is now a separate property facing East Oneida Street. It also has been converted into apartments. The Connell home at 80 Oswego St. has retained its integrity as a single-family residence as well as a number of its historic architectural features including its original copper bathtub, fretwork and handsome brass studded burgundy leather wall covering in the front hall.
Wallace Tappan died in 1900 and Frances passed away in 1915. They, along with several of their children, are buried in Riverview Cemetery.
