James Alldis House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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James Alldis House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 355 Prospect St., Torrington, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004480 |
| Added to NRHP | April 29, 1982 |
The James Alldis House is a beautiful old home located in Torrington, Connecticut. It was built in 1895 in the popular Queen Anne style. This house is special because it's a great example of this type of architecture. It also has a strong connection to the history of Torrington.
The house belonged to James Alldis, who was an important supervisor at the Torrington Company. This company made needles and was the biggest employer in town. The house still looks much like it did when it was first built. Many original features, like the hardwood floors and lighting fixtures, are still there. In 1982, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical building.
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What Makes the House Special?
The James Alldis House is a wonderful example of Queen Anne style. This style is known for its unique and interesting shapes.
Outside the House
The outside of the house has many cool details. It has a round tower with a cone-shaped roof. There's also a fancy porch with lots of carved wood. The house uses different types of windows and wall textures. The first floor has smooth, straight wooden boards. But the second floor and above have wavy, textured siding. This mix of shapes and textures is a key part of the Queen Anne style.
Inside the House
The inside of the house is also very well-preserved. It has classic design details throughout. You can find a tiled fireplace and two special colored-glass windows. One of these windows is thought to be from Tiffany Studios, which is famous for its beautiful glass art. The other is believed to be from Bigelow Studios.
Who Was James Alldis?
James Alldis (1839–1910) was a very important person in Torrington. He was born in England and moved to the United States when he was 14.
His Work and Influence
James Alldis worked at the Excelsior Needle Company from 1869 to 1899. This company later became the Torrington Company. He was a supervisor there, and it was the biggest employer in Torrington. After he retired, he became the president of the Torrington and Winsted Street Railway. This was a local train company. He led the company from 1899 to 1906. He was also a "principal shareholder," meaning he owned a lot of the company's stock.
His Role in the Community
James Alldis was a member of the Democratic political party. This was interesting because Torrington was mostly a Republican town at the time. He bought the land and had this large house built in 1895. It showed his success and importance in the community.
The House Today
When the James Alldis House was built in 1895, it was in a nice neighborhood. It was also very close to the main business area of Torrington. Today, the area has changed a bit. There are churches and other large buildings nearby. The Alldis House, and some other old homes, are now used for different purposes. The James Alldis House currently has a law firm on two floors. There is also an apartment on the top floor.
