Ludlam Building facts for kids
The Ludlam Building is a really old and cool building in Oyster Bay, New York. It was built in a style called Greek Revival, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples! Over the years, it has been many different kinds of stores, like a place to buy clothes, groceries, and even hats. Even though it has been through some fires, its strong brick walls are still standing today.
Contents
The Ludlam Building's Story
How It All Began
The Ludlam Building got its name from James Ludlam, who built it way back in 1849. But James Ludlam was doing business in Oyster Bay even before that! Since 1836, he owned a dry goods store, which sold all sorts of useful things, on another street corner. Next to his first store was a building where a cabinetmaker, a tailor, and a group called the Sons of Temperance worked.
The First Fire
One evening, on November 6, 1848, a fire started in the cabinetmaker's shop. It burned down that building completely. The fire then spread to James Ludlam's store, destroying it too. Instead of rebuilding in the same spot, he bought new land. He chose a corner lot on West Main and South Street. There, he built the two-story brick building we see today.
New Owners and More Challenges
James Ludlam passed his successful business to his sons, James and Fredrick. They later sold it to Roger Royce. Mr. Royce was running a grocery store in the building in 1907. That's when he faced a big challenge, much like James Ludlam had.
The Great Opera House Fire
Nearby was the Long's Opera House, where a play had just finished for the night. A fire started in the back of the Opera House. It quickly spread to the buildings next door. Luckily for Mr. Royce, the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company arrived quickly. They used their special Silsby Steamer, pulled by horses.
The firefighters bravely fought the blaze. They got water from Anthony's Brook, which flowed down South Street. The Opera House was destroyed, along with a house and a hat shop. But the Post Office and the Ludlam Building, though scorched, were saved! Soon after this fire, Mr. Royce sold the building. The Kursman brothers bought it and opened a dry goods and clothing store.
Another Fire and a New Shop
The Kursman brothers, later joined by David Bernstein, ran their store into the 1930s. Then, on April 12, 1932, fire struck again. This time, the inside of the Ludlam Building was completely burned out. All the items for sale and the store's equipment were lost. Only the strong brick walls remained standing.
After this fire, David Bernstein rebuilt the inside of the building. He then opened a popular hat and men's clothing store. It was called Dave's Shop and stayed open for over thirty years. Today, this Greek Revival brick building is one of the oldest stores in the village. For more than ten years, it has been the home of Appliance World.
See also
