White-Pound House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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White-Pound House
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The White-Pound house, 2016.
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lockport, New York |
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| Built | 1835 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | Stone Buildings of Lockport, New York MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000484 |
| Added to NRHP | May 30, 2003 |
The White-Pound House is a historic stone home in Lockport, New York. It was built in 1835 and later updated in the Italianate style. This two-and-a-half-story house is over 3,000 square feet. It still looks much like it did in the late 1800s, both inside and out. Its beautiful stone work and detailed decorations make it a well-known building in Lockport. It's also a great example of the many stone houses in the city. About 75 stone homes still stand in Lockport today.
Contents
A Look Back: The House's Story
The White-Pound House was first built in 1835. For its first 13 years, the house changed owners many times. But in 1848, Robert and Martha White bought the house for $1,000. Their family then owned the house for 125 years!
Robert White's Life
Robert White was born in 1818 in Washington County, New York. He moved to Lockport in 1836. There, he started working as a clerk in a store. In 1842, he opened his own grocery business with a partner. Robert White passed away in 1865. He left behind his wife, Martha C., and their three children. People remembered him as a popular and respected leader. He was known as a faithful public officer and a good citizen.
The White Family's Long Stay
Martha White lived in the house until she passed away in 1910. She left the house for her daughter, Mary E. Mary E. White lived there her whole life. After Mary E. died in 1940, the house was rented out. In 1948, the house went to Donna Coates Pound. Donna's husband, Alexander White, was a grandson of Robert and Martha White. He came from a very important Lockport family. Donna moved into the house after her husband died. She stayed there until 1972. After Donna's death, the house was sold outside of the family.
How the House Changed Over Time
The White-Pound House was updated twice in the 1800s. The first changes happened in the late 1850s. These updates added the front porch and made the first-floor windows longer. They also changed the roof to a hip roof with wide eaves and decorative brackets. These changes made the house look more like the Italianate style. This style was very popular thanks to Andrew Jackson Downing.
The second set of changes happened around 1880. This included new front doors and new fireplace mantles. A second-floor wooden addition was also added to the back. The back part of the house has special carved details. These details are typical of the Eastlake architectural style. These updates show how building styles changed throughout the 1800s. The White-Pound House is important because it shows Lockport's home architecture from the mid-1800s. The beautiful stone work on the front of the house is very detailed.
The House's Location and Surroundings
The White-Pound House is located south of Lockport's main downtown area. It sits on the east side of Pine Street. The neighborhood around it has many houses built in the 1800s. Most of these homes are made of wood. However, there are several other stone houses on the same block.
The house sits on a flat piece of land. A path made of Gasport Limestone slabs leads from the sidewalk to the front porch. There is a concrete driveway on the north side of the house. A modern wooden fence stands at the back of the yard.
Outside the White-Pound House
The White-Pound House is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of Gasport Limestone and has a hip roof. A two-story section extends from the back of the house. Stone pieces called lintels and sills are used above and below the windows. Large, shaped stone blocks called quoins strengthen the corners of the house.
Front of the House
The front of the house faces west and has four sections. It is made of gray Gasport Limestone. The stone is laid in a rough, natural style with neat mortar lines. The windows are arranged evenly. There are four windows on the second floor. They are directly above taller windows on the first floor. The windows still have their original wooden frames from the 1800s. They also have working wooden shutters. Smaller cellar windows are found below the main level.
The front porch has double entrance doors. The porch steps and side walls are made of shaped Gasport Limestone blocks. The square porch posts look like they are from the early 1900s. The porch roof has wide eaves with decorative hanging pieces. The tall, narrow front doors have glass panels and decorative trim. Storm doors from the early 1900s are also installed outside the main doors.
Sides and Roof
The north and south sides of the house are made of rough stone. The south wall has no windows. The north wall has been covered with a smooth plaster-like coating.
At the roof level, the eaves stick out almost three feet from the walls. Large, decorative brackets mark the sections of the roof. The eaves also have decorative hanging pieces. Two pairs of stone chimneys are found above the south and north walls. The first floor of the back section of the house is made of stone. It matches the main part of the house. The second floor of this section is made of wood. It seems to have been added in the late 1800s.
Inside the White-Pound House
The inside of the White-Pound House is still in great condition. Most rooms have their original plaster walls, baseboards, and doors. The original layout of the rooms is still the same.
Main Floor Layout
The front entrance leads to the main hall. An open staircase runs along the left wall. The staircase has a curved handrail and turned spindles. The handrail and spindles have a dark, natural finish. To the south of the hall is a small sitting room. This room connects to a bedroom in the back. To the north of the hall are the main parlor and the dining room. A large doorway connects these two rooms. The kitchen and other utility rooms are in the back section of the house.
All the main rooms on the first floor have wide wooden floors. They also have ten-foot-high ceilings. The doors have four panels. The doorways have decorative frames with corner blocks. The dining room and main parlor have matching black marble fireplaces. These fireplaces have decorative carvings and coal grates. They also have colorful tile hearths. These fireplaces were likely updated around 1880.
The Cellar Kitchen
One of the most interesting parts of the house is a well-preserved old kitchen. It is located in the cellar, below the main parlor. A simple open staircase leads from the first floor down to the kitchen. This room still has its original six-panel doors and wooden paneling. It also has its original plaster walls and ceiling. The floor is made of fir wood planks.
On the north wall of the kitchen is a cooking fireplace and a baking oven. The fireplace still has its original mantle, andirons, and crane. The fireplace opening and hearth are made of large, shaped blocks of Gasport Limestone. The baking oven next to it is made of brick.
The White-Pound House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This happened after Robert J. and Holly E. Keller carefully preserved it.
