Conklin Mountain House

Historic house in New York, United States

United States historic place


Conklin Mountain House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Conklin Mountain House, September 2016
42°4′38″N 78°25′33″W / 42.07722°N 78.42583°W / 42.07722; -78.42583
Architect	Conklin, William C. and Dewitt
Architectural style	Second Empire
NRHP reference No.	98001386^[1]
Added to NRHP	November 19, 1998

Conklin Mountain House is a historic home located at Olean in Cattaraugus County, New York. The above ground portion of the main house is a 4,500 sq. ft Second Empire style wood frame dwelling built in 1886. The front facade features a three-story tower with mansard roof and a wraparound porch. The exterior of the home features extensive overhanging eaves, decorative brackets and balustrades. The house sits on top of a 2,000 sq. ft full-height stone basement. The property also includes a 1,600 sq. ft two-story carriage house.

The interior features elaborate and extensive woodwork, quarter-sawn oak floors throughout the house, one of the longest cantilevered staircases on the East Coast of the United States, a large and ornate antique Eastlake-style chandelier in the dining room, and the only known existing installation of M.H. Birge & Sons block-printed peacock wallpaper ca. 1915. The home was constructed by the owners of Conklin Wagon Works, one of Olean's most important industries in the late 19th century. It was subsequently owned by the Mountain family, who operated the Mountain Clinic Infirmary, and is currently an owner-occupied single family residence not open to the public. On the morning of October 8, 2023 the house caught fire, resulting in the residents being displaced and a total loss of the historic interiors.^[2]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.^[1]

The home caught fire the morning of October 8, 2023.

History

The home was built in 1886 by William H. Conklin. Mr. Conklin was born on December 21, 1811, in Greenfield, Saratoga County, New York. In 1860 he moved his wagon-making business to Olean; the famous Conklin Wagon Works. It became one of Olean's most important industries at that time, eventually growing to employ 50 skilled laborers with an output of 2000 wagons per year. The wagon works was located closer to the Allegheny River than the house itself, which sits some 600 feet away. This was for purposes of using the river systems for transportation of materials and completed wagons.

First Floor

The first floor of the home, used mainly for entertaining guests, features 12 foot ceilings throughout and contains the vestibule, foyer, first parlor or "music room", library, second parlor or "drawing room", a formal dining room and kitchen.

Vestibule and Foyer

The vestibule is a small space approximately 16 feet square. It's the first space encountered upon entering the home and is separated from the foyer by a double-door. The foyer contains access to the main staircase with a large carved newel post made from cherry and Birds-Eye Maple. The staircase and landings are cantilevered above the first floor and feature a continuous varnished maple railing supported by 102 turned spindles.

Vestibule and Foyer
Main staircase
Looking straight up the stairwell, April 2017

Music Room

The first parlor, also known as the "blue room" or "Music room" features blue wallpaper inside of decorative wall moldings and is the scene of most seasonal celebrations. During the Christmas season the largest tree is placed in the bay window of this room. It houses the grand piano and Victrola, among other instruments.

First parlor looking toward second parlor
The Music Room at Christmas time

Library

The library/lounge room contains a 10-foot L-shaped bar, brick fireplace and built-in bookshelves.

Library at Christmas time

Drawing Room

The second parlor, also known as the "drawing room" or "ladies salon" features white wallpaper depicting gnarled trees and fanciful scenes. It contains a large white tile fireplace and mantle straddled by ornately carved wooden griffons.

Drawing room fireplace
One of the two carved griffons
Drawing room fireplace detail

Below is a cache of images from the home listing when the home was last for sale in 2016. These images are how the house appeared at that time, and do not reflect more recent changes to the structure such as the remodeled kitchen surfaces and appliances and the painting of the main and rear staircases. These pictures also do not show the furniture and possessions of the new owners. These are included only for historical reference pertaining to the structure itself, for the purpose of eventually restoring the structure after the October 8, 2023 fire.

Conklin Mountain House - Northeast Corner.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Northwest Corner.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Front Porch.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - White room west wall.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Foyer 2016.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Foyer From Stairs.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Foyer to Music Room.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Blue Room 2.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - French Door Foyer.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Blue Room 2.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Blue to White.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - White to blue.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Blue Room Overview.jpg

Conklin Mountain House - First Floor Half Batch.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - First Floor Half Bathroom.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Ladies Salon to Music Room View December 2016.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Music To Salon.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Salon FP.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Salon FP Detail2.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - White Room Fireplace.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Ladies Salon Fireplace Mantle April 2017.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Salon Detail.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Salon FP Detail.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - radiator detail.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Music Room August 19 2016.jpg

MusicRoomChristmas.jpg
LibraryChristmas.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Music Room Chandelier 2017.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Dining Room Overview.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Dining Room.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Dining Room SouthEast Corner April 2017.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Dining Room Corner.jpg
DiningRoomWallpaper.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Dining Room NorthWest Corner April 2017.jpg
DiningRoom1.jpg
Conklin Mountain House M.H. Birge Peacock.jpg
V3Znb1EI.jpg

Conklin Mountain House Dining Room to Ladies Salon View April 2017.jpg
Conklin Mountain House Dining Room Window Treatments 2017.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Main Bedroom.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Kitchen1.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Butler's pantry 2.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Butler's pantry 1.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Kitchen 3.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Kitchen2.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Tower Room 2016.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Tower to Hall.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Third Floor Master Fireplace.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - A view up the stairs.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Two story carriage house garage.jpg
Conklin Mountain House - Second floor of the carriage house.jpg

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Conklin Mountain House.

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
^ Michelle Patrick (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Conklin Mountain House". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2009-06-14. See also: "Accompanying five photos".