A. T. Stewart Era Buildings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
A. T. Stewart Era Buildings
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Cathedral of the Incarnation, April 2013
Location in New York Show map of New York Location in the United States Show map of the United States Location in the United States Show map of the United States Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	4th, 5th, and 6th Sts., Cathedral and Cherry Valley Aves., Garden City, New York
Area	53 acres (21 ha)
Built	1871
Architect	Kellum, John; Harrison, Henry G.
Architectural style	Italianate, Italianate vernacular
NRHP reference No.	78001864
Added to NRHP	November 14, 1978

The A. T. Stewart Era Buildings are a special collection of historic buildings. They are located in Garden City, New York, in Nassau County, New York. This group includes 50 different buildings. These buildings were part of the original plan for Garden City. They were built between 1871 and 1893.

These structures include homes, businesses, churches, and public buildings. They were all part of the vision of Alexander Turney Stewart (1801–1876). He planned Garden City as a new, organized community. The buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means they are important to American history.

Discovering A. T. Stewart's Historic Buildings

The A. T. Stewart Era Buildings show how Garden City began. Many of the buildings are homes built between 1871 and 1878. They range from small cottages to large, three-story "villas." Other important buildings include:

• The 53-55 Hilton Avenue commercial block (built 1875)
• The Garden City Water Works (built 1876)
• The Cathedral of the Incarnation Complex (built 1885)
• St. Paul's School (built 1883)
• The Cathedral School of St. Mary (built 1893)

The Unique Apostle Houses

The Apostle Houses are a special type of home found only in Garden City. There were originally ten of these unique houses. They were a key part of Alexander Stewart's dream for his planned community. He imagined a town with wide streets and many trees and shrubs.

Most of the Apostle Houses that still exist today are private homes. However, one of them is now home to the Garden City Historical Society. All the remaining Apostle Houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are part of the larger A.T. Stewart Era Historic District.

What Makes Apostle Houses Special?

These houses have a very distinct look. They feature mansard roofs and small towers called cupolas. Each house typically has sixteen rooms. This includes six bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms. They also had separate living areas for servants. Inside, the houses boast tall twelve-foot ceilings and beautiful decorative moldings.

Over the years, some of the original Apostle Houses have been lost. Three homes were torn down. One home was destroyed by fire. This means that only six of the original ten houses remain today.

Where Were the Apostle Houses First Built?

The original ten Apostle Houses were built in specific locations around Garden City. Here is where they were first found:

1. Hilton Avenue and Stewart Avenue
2. Hilton Avenue and Seventh Street
3. Hilton Avenue and Fifth Street
4. Hilton Avenue and Fifth Street
5. Cathedral Avenue and Fourth Street
6. Cathedral Avenue and Fifth Street
7. Cathedral Avenue and Fifth Street
8. Rockaway Avenue and Fourth Street
9. Rockaway Avenue and Third Street
10. Rockaway Avenue and Second Street

How Have Apostle Houses Changed Over Time?

The Apostle Houses have seen some changes since they were first built in the 1800s.

• Three of the four houses originally on Hilton Avenue have been torn down.
• The remaining Hilton Avenue house, at 40 Hilton Avenue, had a kitchen added in the 1920s.

40 Hilton Avenue, one of the original "Apostle Houses" within the district

• The sixth Apostle House, originally on Cathedral Avenue and Fifth Street, was destroyed by fire.
• The seventh Apostle House, also originally on Cathedral Avenue and Fifth Street, was moved twice! It is now located on Eleventh Street. This house was once owned by the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation. It was used as a grammar school called "Little St. Mary's." When the Cathedral closed both St. Mary's School and St. Paul's School, this house was given to the Garden City Historical Society. They moved it to its current spot.
• The tenth Apostle House, located at 15 Rockaway Avenue and Second Street, has had many updates. These include central air conditioning and remodeled kitchen and basement areas.