Clinton Street Comeback

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is pleased to announce that it purchased 128-130 Clinton Street, two small cottages on one property that have been on the Foundation’s endangered property list for more than a decade.

Based on preliminary research, it appears that the house at 130 Clinton Street, built circa 1877, was the first house constructed on the property by Dennis O’Brien, who was listed as a laborer residing at 108 Clinton Street.  It is particularly unique because it is the only example of a shotgun style residence in Saratoga Springs.  O’Brien built the second house, a one-and-a-half- story vernacular front gable house with a full-width front porch, at 128 Clinton Street in 1883.  Both houses were built as rental properties.

A shotgun style house is a narrow – typically no more than 12 feet wide, rectangular residence typically with two to four rooms arranged one behind the other without a hallway.  “As the saying goes, one could shoot a shotgun through the front door and the bullet would fly straight through the back door,” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director.  The shotgun house is believed to have emerged in New Orleans in the early nineteenth century and was predominantly popular throughout the South.

According to the directories, the residents of the two houses were laborers, coachmen, teamsters, farmers, maids, gardeners, firemen, and employees of various businesses.  In 1965, Nettie B. Dekalb and her son Ronald Dekalb acquired the property.  The DeKalbs moved into 128 Clinton Street and rented 130 Clinton Street to others.

It was during the DeKalb family ownership that the houses fell into disrepair and became vacant.  Earlier this year, the Foundation attempted to contact the owner to provide assistance to preserve the buildings or to offer to purchase the property.  Their attempts went unanswered.  Neighbors expressed concern that the buildings would be lost when they saw the red X’s appear on the buildings, indicating that the buildings were unsafe for first responders to enter.

In September, local builder, Dave Trojanski acquired the property with the intention of redeveloping it with a single-family residence.  Upon learning that Trojanski purchased it, the Foundation contacted him to see if he would be willing to sell, sharing with him the significance of 130 Clinton Street.  He was unaware that the property had been on the Foundation’s endangered list or of the importance of 130 Clinton Street.

“My wife Sarah and I are pleased to have had the opportunity to sell 128 and 130 Clinton Street to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Preserving Saratoga’s historic character and ensuring that these properties contribute to the community’s cultural and architectural heritage is something we value deeply. We look forward to seeing the Foundation’s vision for the properties come to life,” said Trojanski.

The Foundation did not anticipate taking on another project prior to selling 65 Phila Street, the 1851 Alexander A. Patterson House that they recently completed environmental abatement, stabilization, and exterior restoration because it would need the net proceeds from the sale to be able to purchase another property.

“Timing was of the essence.  We did not want to lose these two small cottages to demolition,” shared Bosshart.  “We were incredibly fortunate to again secure a private financing from Elisa and Mark Haworth to acquire the property,” she continued.  “Elisa and I are delighted to support this innovative approach to preserving key aspects of the city’s past.  “I am especially pleased that this project will save small, unassuming cottages, showing the breadth of the historic resources that are worthy of preservation,” said Mark Haworth.

“The Foundation acquiring this property helps to ensure that an intact row of early small worker housing on Clinton Street between Pine Alley and Alger Street is preserved,” said Bosshart.  This is an area that is not located in a local historic district and is seeing demolition of buildings.  “Our hope is that it will encourage others to see the value in these smaller historic homes and inspire them to preserve them,” said Michele Funiciello, President of the Foundation.

“My husband, Matt, and I have lived on Clinton Street for almost 30 years and have seen a lot of changes in the neighborhood, not always for the better.  Cottages are being torn down for larger homes to be built in their place, changing the character of Clinton Street.  We are so happy to see these two cottages be preserved and not demolished!,” shared Theresa Geleta.

Since purchasing the property, Foundation volunteers have been busy cleaning out the houses and clearing the overgrown backyard, resulting in more than 50 yards of debris being removed thus far. Soon a dead tree will be removed by Dulmer Tree Surgeons and Arborists, which is donating their services.  Thompson Fleming Land Surveyors, provided the property survey in-kind which will assist with developing plans for the buildings.  Allerdice Building Supply has again agreed to provide a generous discount on building materials in support of the project.  The Foundation is in the early stages of evaluating the structures and determining next steps for the project.  “The Foundation will need the support of the community to see these two cottages preserved,” said Funiciello.