On Landmarking the Elridge House in Richmond Hill
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Landmakrs Preservation Commission Designation Hearing, June 28, 2011
Item 13: LP – 2473
BOROUGH OF QUEENS
DANIEL ELDRIDGE HOUSE, 87-61 111TH Street
The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation.
Even in a neighborhood as architecturally rich as Richmond Hill, the Daniel Eldridge House is a true stand-out. The striking Italianate style free-standing house topped with a cupola has long been considered by many here a landmark, whether officially designated or not. The cupola has the added history of being the spot from which Mr. Eldridge, a Tweed Ring member, is said to have watched for the arrival of policemen to arrest him on embezzlement charges. The incident is an interesting reminder of the connection between this then-rural area and Manhattan even in pre-consolidation days.
Richmond Hill has quite a stash of 19th-century and early-20th-century architecture. While it has been depleted some over recent years, there are still more buildings deserving of designation and protection. HDC is buoyed by the LPC’s consideration of this property despite the installation of replacement siding, and hope that this broader view of non-obtrusive architectural alterations is indicative of the possibility of considering other, similar landmarks in the future. HDC is thrilled to support the designation of the Daniel Eldridge House and we hope it is not the last of Richmond Hill we will see here at LPC.