Dedicated to the preservation of Long Island's 'gold coast' estates and other things old.
Monday, September 29, 2014
'Peacock Point'
'Peacock Point' the Henry P. Davison estate designed by Walker & Gillette c. 1914 in Lattingtown. Click HERE and HERE for more on 'Peacock Point'. The postcard is mislabeled the Jesse Livermore estate.
13 comments:
Doug Floor Plan
said...
So, this house lasted roughly 20 years. I wonder who was Livermore's architect?
Although the scholar in me decries rushing to attribution, I will put aside my reserve and hazard the opinion that this renovation could ONLY be Walker & Gillette----almost as distinctive as a fingerprint (now watch me proved wrong)
The reason that the photo postcard of the 'Livermore' house, 'Evermore', later nevermore, appeared so very Walker & Gillette-ish is that in fact, despite the caption, it is actually the Davison House, 'Peacock Point'. Not possibly, but absolutely. (Many old postcards have such errors). On the link provided by Mr. Ancient, one can see the actual Livermore House (and if I had to guess an architect for it, I'd go with Little Browne---but of course, I never rush to attribution :-)
Ha ha ha! I think every post about the Livermore estate has caused confusion. I was originally brought to this site while searching for the Livermore house after watching some PBS special and hearing that the house was so crooked that they cut the furniture legs.
The Davison family no longer owns the piece of land that this house once stood on. But, they do still own the deco house next door, the barn, garage, squash court, managers cottage, bathhouse, and a good bit of the original land.
This plot was sold, and the new owner planned to build a house, but it was never realized, because of a death -- they still maintain the property.
Agree it's a beautiful residential design. Hard to believe the new owners dont sell the vacant land. Such a magnificent property deserves a centerpiece however the chances are very slim anyone will surpass the original house.
13 comments:
So, this house lasted roughly 20 years. I wonder who was Livermore's architect?
http://www.trading-naked.com/jesselivermorephotos.htm
DFP,
Although the scholar in me decries rushing to attribution, I will put aside my reserve and hazard the opinion that this renovation could ONLY be Walker & Gillette----almost as distinctive as a fingerprint (now watch me proved wrong)
In other news, epic tragedy brewing on the Boston North Shore:
http://streetsofsalem.com/
http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/article_602642a4-806e-5deb-be4f-40c5a1c8c23f.html
AH HA!
The reason that the photo postcard of the 'Livermore' house, 'Evermore', later nevermore, appeared so very Walker & Gillette-ish is that in fact, despite the caption, it is actually the Davison House, 'Peacock Point'. Not possibly, but absolutely. (Many old postcards have such errors). On the link provided by Mr. Ancient, one can see the actual Livermore House (and if I had to guess an architect for it, I'd go with Little Browne---but of course, I never rush to attribution :-)
Great... this is what happens when I fall asleep at the wheel.
Such a short lifespan. Equally improbable is that this idyllic waterfront site lies empty today.
Ha ha ha!
I think every post about the Livermore estate has caused confusion.
I was originally brought to this site while searching for the Livermore house after watching some PBS special and hearing that the house was so crooked that they cut the furniture legs.
And from deep in Zach's archives from 2009, here is the actual estate once owned by Livermore:
http://www.oldlongisland.com/2009/11/when-silvermore-was-for-sale.html
The Davison family no longer owns the piece of land that this house once stood on. But, they do still own the deco house next door, the barn, garage, squash court, managers cottage, bathhouse, and a good bit of the original land.
This plot was sold, and the new owner planned to build a house, but it was never realized, because of a death -- they still maintain the property.
I still say Peacock Point is one of the Gold Coasts greatest losses.
Anon 9:13 a.m.
I agree - and can't fathom that it couldn't have been maintained somehow....
Agree it's a beautiful residential design. Hard to believe the new owners dont sell the vacant land. Such a magnificent property deserves a centerpiece however the chances are very slim anyone will surpass the original house.
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