William B. Dunlap Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William B. Dunlap Mansion
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Front of the mansion
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1298 Market St., Bridgewater, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Bridgewater Historic District (ID96000713) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003409 |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1980 |
The William B. Dunlap Mansion was a very old and important house in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, United States. Built in 1840, it stood on a hill overlooking the Beaver River. Many people thought it was the most beautiful and well-kept 19th-century house in Bridgewater. Sadly, the house was torn down on January 17, 2017, after officials decided it was unsafe.
Contents
The William B. Dunlap Mansion: A Historic Home
A Grand Home's History
The mansion was first built for a coffee businessman named James Arbuckle. He used a special design style called Greek Revival. Mr. Arbuckle lived in the house until 1865. Then, he sold it to Samuel R. Dunlap and his family.
One of Samuel's sons, William, also lived there. William ran his river transportation business from the house. When Samuel passed away in 1890, William became the owner. He lived in the mansion until he died in 1922.
During these years, William B. Dunlap was also a public official. In 1890, he was chosen to represent his area in the Pennsylvania State Senate. He kept this important job until he died.
The house did not change owners very often after William's death. It was rarely empty. This helped it stay in good condition for a long time. Most of the time, the mansion was used as a family home. Some people wanted to turn it into offices or a print shop, but it stayed a residence.
What the Mansion Looked Like
Dunlap's mansion was a large, three-story building. It was made of brick and sat on a strong stone foundation. The house had four big chimneys. Inside, it featured beautiful wood from cedar trees.
Today, the house's area is a lawn with shrubs. But long ago, it had a very large and fancy garden. This garden might have been bigger than any other in western Pennsylvania.
A Special Place in History
On August 29, 1980, the William B. Dunlap Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States. It was recognized for its unique architecture and its connection to William B. Dunlap.
The mansion was also part of a larger special area. This area is called the Bridgewater Historic District. This district was added to the National Register in 1996.
The Mansion's End
Sadly, the William B. Dunlap Mansion was torn down on January 16, 2017. This happened after officials in Bridgewater decided it was unsafe. About 15 to 20 people watched as the walls came down. Even though many online petitions tried to save the house, it was not enough.
