23 Greenfield, prior to demolition, 2009
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation expressed dismay at the demolition of the 1853 Wayland House at 23 Greenfield Avenue in Saratoga Springs. The house, included in an historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but not included in the City’s protected historic district, is being demolished by its owner after a moratorium on demolition of historic buildings in Saratoga Springs expired April 30.
“Today’s demolition of 23 Greenfield Avenue is a sad day for Saratoga Springs’ proud legacy of historic preservation” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. “We are seeing the demolition of a beautiful and significant historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This building was in excellent condition.”
When the owner of the building applied for a demolition permit in June 2009, many neighbors and members of the community were upset. The Foundation requested the City Council to enact a temporary moratorium on demolition of historic structures while the City reviewed its historic preservation ordinance and considered expansion of the City’s historic district boundaries. A proposal made by the Foundation with the support of neighborhood residents to expand the City’s Historic District to protect 23 Greenfield Avenue and other historic structures in the neighborhood from demolition or inappropriate alteration failed to win support of a majority of neighbors and was abandoned. The moratorium on demolition expired on April 30.
Backside of 23 Greenfield being demolished
Bosshart noted, “We tried our best to save this historic building from demolition and we did not succeed. It’s distressing to see it lost to the wrecking ball. Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call that preservation of our past is an ongoing effort.”
23 Greenfield Avenue was an imposing two-story red brick Italianate style house with a two story side wing. It was built in 1858 by Mary Burr Wayland, the daughter of Col. Samuel Young (1779 – 1850) of Ballston, a prominent lawyer and Democratic politician who was New York’s Secretary of State, as well as an Assemblyman, State Senator and County Judge. Other residents of the house included John W. Ehninger who designed the Seal of the City of Saratoga Springs and his wife Mary; Henry S. Clement, the proprietor of the Congress Hall Hotel in Saratoga and his wife Julia; Mrs Frank S. Leslie, the wife of the owner of Frank S. Leslies Popular Monthly Journal, a national magazine of the late 19th and early 20th Century; Lillian Bockes, one of the original incorporators and trustees of the Skidmore School of Arts of Saratoga Springs (now Skidmore College); and Fred Phillips, MD a prominent local physician and his wife Norma.
Since 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has been working to preserve and enhance the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.