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This highly ornate
four-story building on the corner of Court and Chenango Streets is one of Binghamton’s
most unique and distinctive structures.&nbsp;
Known as the Perry Block, it is faced with cast iron, and&nbsp; is the only example of this type of
architecture in the area.&nbsp; Notice the
large windows and ornate architectural features, typical of this form of construction.&nbsp;

Built in 1876, the Perry
Block was designed by one of New York’s most famous architects, Isaac Gale
Perry.&nbsp; Perry first came to Binghamton from New
York City in 1858 to supervise construction of his first major architectural project, the New York State Inebriate
Asylum. &nbsp;

With his wife Lucretia,
Perry lived on the fourth floor of this building while operating his business on the floor
below.&nbsp; The first and second floors were
occupied by a variety of businesses, and local residents will remember shopping
here when it was home to&nbsp; McLean’s, one
of Binghamton’s most popular department stores.&nbsp;

Throughout his career Perry
designed several structures in town including the county courthouse across the
street.&nbsp; In addition he designed approximately 40 armories
throughout the state, and was selected to complete the State Capitol in
Albany.&nbsp; It is worth noting that with all
his accomplishments, the building in front of you has been described by some as
Perry’s greatest structure.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is interesting to note
that this building played a staring role in the Hollywood movie “Liebestraum”,
filmed in Binghamton in 1991 – a movie that features several of Binghamton’s
historic buildings.

The Perry Block. Cast-Iron construction, designed by Isaac Gale Perry, built in 1876.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S VERSION - See Comment Section Below.

This highly ornate four-story cast-iron building is one of Binghamton's most unique and distinctive structures. Designed in 1876 by Isaac Perry, the first two floors served as a department store and Perry's architectural firm occupied the third floor. The fourth floor was home to Perry and wife Lucretia until his death in 1904. 

Perry Building

This short walking tour includes numerous historic buildings and city landmarks in only a few blocks. Feel free to edit the tour and create your own version based on your schedule and interests. Enjoy!

In 1913 Albert Willey was contracted to build a five-story
building to house a 400-seat movie theater. Built of reinforced concrete and
known as the Willey Block it was promoted as an “absolutely fireproof photoplay
house” and “one of the most modern structures of its character in the country.”
Ground was broken on September 11, 1913, and on the following July 6, the
People’s Theatre opened to a packed house.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Upper floors of the building were occupied by the Lewis M.
Weed Company, a manufacturer of overalls that would in later years become the
Drybak Corporation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The theater was an immediate success and continued to thrive
for several years. Then in the late 1920’s, with the advent of sound in motion
pictures, the silent film era came to an end. For reasons unknown, the People’s
Theatre held fast in its resistance to the new technology, and by the end of
the decade attendance had declined to a point where the theater could no longer
continue to operate.

In 1930 the interior of the building was converted into an
indoor 18-hole miniature golf course. After 2 years the business closed, the
building reopened as the People’s Dance Palace and Restaurant.

Today the building is home to a popular brewery and
restaurant known as the Water Street Brewing Company. The outside of the
building looks much as it did when it first opened a century ago. Marquee
lights still line a cast iron façade and frame the lower level, where the
original center entrance and ticket booth have long since been replaced by
windows. Inside, large stainless steel brewing tanks, a bar and dining tables
fill the old theater space. Interestingly, the original sloping theater floor
lies hidden in darkness below the current floor, where it is surrounded by
faded wall murals that once provided outdoor ambiance for indoor golfers.

Built in 1913 of reinforced concrete and known as the Willey Block this 400-seat theater was promoted as an “absolutely fireproof photoplay house” and “one of the most modern structures of its character in the country.” 

The People's Theatre, Binghamton

The building at the corner of Water and Henry streets in
Binghamton was originally home to the Hull-Grummond Cigar Company, one of the
leading cigar producers in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A close look at the building today shows two buildings side
by side. The building on the left is the original 1886 factory. 20 years later
the company was producing 100,000 cigars daily and more space was needed. &nbsp;In 1906 another building went up adjoining the
original structure. With the new building, designed by architect T.I. Lacey
“especially for the purpose of a cigar factory”, Hull doubled both his work
force and cigar production. At its peak, the company was one of the largest
employers in the city.

Following World War I,&nbsp;popularity of cigars declined.&nbsp;By 1920 large
areas of the factory were idle and space was leased to other manufacturers.

The building would later serve as a shoe company, an auto parts store, an
electrical supply company, and house a variety of other businesses. Today
modern offices fill the second and third floors, the vacant fourth floor with
exposed brick walls, rafters and wood floors remains virtually unaltered, and
since 1997, the first floor has been home to one of Binghamton’s most popular
restaurants, the Lost Dog Café. 

&nbsp;It is interesting to note that John Hull’s uncle, George
Hull, gained fame in 1868 for creating one of the greatest hoaxes in American
history… the Cardiff Giant.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Currently known as the Lost Dog Café, the Hull-Grummond Building was built in 1886, expanded in 1906, and was home to one of the leading cigar producers in the country.

Hull-Grummond Building

The Binghamton Intermodal Archaeological Site is generally defined by the city block bounded by Chenango, Lewis, and Henry Streets and Prospect Avenue.&nbsp; The history of this block was influenced by changes within Binghamton.&nbsp; In the early 19th century, the block was located to the northwest of the core of the developing settlement of Binghamton, which focused on the intersection of Court Street and the Chenango River.&nbsp; There was little development of the block and it is not shown on the first detailed map of Binghamton in 1825.&nbsp;&nbsp;The location of the Chenango Canal, completed in 1837 one block to the west, drew this block into the fabric of industrial development within Binghamton.&nbsp; The western side of the block along Canal Street (now Prospect Avenue) became the site of the Weed and Ayers Grist Mill and was also the site of the Weed candle factory.&nbsp; The eastern side of the block along Chenango Street was a residential area but census data suggest it was not the elite enclave it would later become.&nbsp;



All of this changed in 1857 after a fire destroyed the industrial properties along Canal Street. James Munsell acquired much of the former industrial area and developed housing on it.&nbsp; The houses Munsell built along the alleyway of Canal Street were smaller dwellings on average city lots aimed at the middle class.&nbsp; Munsell was one of the elite residents who began to make their homes along the Chenango Street side of the block during the 1860s.&nbsp; This change to a solidly residential area coincided with the construction of Binghamton’s railroad station on the corner of Lewis and Chenango Street one block to the north.&nbsp; Chenango Street, always a major road from the north, became the most prominent entryway into Binghamton.&nbsp; Existing homes along Chenango Street were updated and new homes built during the 1860s.&nbsp; All were on large lots and many were valued at $15,000.00 to $24,000 in New York State Census data.&nbsp; They were elaborate mansions built to impress, and placed to be seen by all who used the major artery of Chenango Street.&nbsp; These mansions gradually transitioned from the homes of the wealthy to working class apartment houses during the late 19th and early 20th century and were replaced during the 20th century by commercial development and parking lots.

&nbsp;Archaeological investigations located a rich array of buildings and trash left behind by the 19th-century families who lived on this block.&nbsp; One of the most interesting features was a privy or outhouse behind one of the middle-class houses on Canal Street.&nbsp; The fieldstone shaft or vault of the privy was filled with trash, including broken dishes, bottles, and animal bones.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the 19th century, trash service was not available and people could dispose of it by scattering it in their yards, piling it in discrete dumps on their properties, digging pits to place it in, or throwing it down deep shaft features, such as privies or wells.&nbsp; This was usually done when these features were no longer in use. &nbsp;Research indicated that the family connected to this privy discarded their daily trash in here while they were actively using it.&nbsp; Most other trash disposal options required either leaving trash exposed in the yard or having an open trash pit, both of which were unattractive and could be messy.&nbsp; This family was willing to use up valuable privy space to keep trash out of their yard and present their property as neat and tidy.&nbsp; Cleanliness was often linked to morality and financial success in the 19th century.&nbsp; Families with clean properties were more likely to be seen as moral, ambitious, and deserving of wealth and success.&nbsp; It is also possible that the middle-class residents along Canal Street felt some pressure to “keep up appearances” since their rear yards were visible from the mansions of their wealthy neighbors along Chenango Street. &nbsp;

The Binghamton Intermodal Archaeological Site was identified by the public archaeology facility in 2010 prior to redevelopment of the Greyhound Bus Station on this site.  During the second half of the 19th century, many of Binghamton's elite families built elaborate homes along Chenango Street.  Prospect Avenue (formerly Canal Street) forms the other major axis of this block and featured more modest homes occupied by middle-class families. These residences were replaced by commercial development, including the bus station, in the early 20th century.  Archaeologists identified trash middens, portions of house foundations, wells, cisterns, and a privy related to the families who lived here during the 19th century. 

Binghamton Intermodal Archaeological Site

Built in 1938, the Binghamton Greyhound Bus terminal has been in continuous operation since that time. The architectural style of the building is known as Streamline Moderne, a form of Art Deco design evident in many Greyhound bus terminals built between 1937 and the mid 1940’s. 

Intended to depict aerodynamics and a sense of speed, the
design is attributed to Louisville architect William S. Arrasmith, who designed
over sixty moderne Greyhound terminals in his career, of which only a
half-dozen exist today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In his book “The Streamline Era of Greyhound Terminals: the
architecture of W.S.Arrasmith,” author Frank Wrennick wrote of the Binghamton
terminal: “the façade featured cast stone details including scalloped cornice
window reveals, the block-lettered word ‘Greyhound,’ and a running greyhound.
Glass block was employed over the main street entrance and in a wing wall which
concealed the bus docks from the street.” High above the main entrance neon glass
tubing is formed into the shape of a running greyhound dog.&nbsp;

In 2009 a new transportation center was constructed on the
site. At that time the original building façade was restored and incorporated
into the new structure. &nbsp;

Built in 1938, the Binghamton Greyhound Bus terminal has been in continuous operation since that time. The architectural style of the building is known as Streamline Moderne, a form of Art Deco design evident in many Greyhound bus terminals built between 1937 and the mid 1940’s. 

Greyhound Terminal, Binghamton NY

With a distinctive façade of
carved red sandstone, the Stone Opera House gets its name not from the building
material, but from its builder, local businessman Charles M. Stone.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Completed in 1892 and
designed by architects Sanford Lacy and E.H. Bartoo, the building has elements
of Richardsonian Romanesque style.&nbsp; Above
the entrance an ornamented arch once framed a stone balcony.&nbsp; Inside, the main entrance opened to a large
arched foyer with retail stores on either side and led to a 1500-seat theater
with a large stage, orchestra pit, two balconies and eight boxes.&nbsp; A ballroom was located on the third floor.&nbsp;

Promoted as the most
impressive opera house between New York City and Buffalo, the Stone Opera House
provided the finest in theatrical entertainment.&nbsp; Sarah Bernhardt, Ethel and John Barrymore,
George M. Cohan and many others performed at the Stone.&nbsp; A teenage Edward G. Robinson began his acting
career on its stage.&nbsp; Teddy Roosevelt
addressed Binghamton citizens here during a 1900 campaign tour.&nbsp;

In 1903 the stage and a
large portion of the roof were destroyed by fire.&nbsp; It was rebuilt the following year.

&nbsp;As theater entertainment
changed, elaborate productions gave way to burlesque and minstrel shows.&nbsp; In 1930 the opera house was converted into a
motion picture theater and renamed “the Riviera.”&nbsp; Sharing a marquee with its neighboring
“Strand Theater,” the Riviera would provide entertainment for movie-goers for
nearly 50 years, until it finally closed in 1978.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2009, badly deteriorating
and suffering “demolition by neglect”, the Preservation Association of the
Southern Tier launched a campaign to save the structure.&nbsp; In January 2010 the building was placed on
the Preservation League of New York State’s “Seven to Save” list, designating
the Stone Opera House as one of the seven most threatened historic properties
in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today, work is under way to
stabilize the structure and proposals are being suggested for adaptive re-use.

The Richardsonian Romanesque-style Stone Opera House was built in 1892. Designed by architects Sanford Lacy and E.H. Bartoo, it was promoted as the most lavish theatrical facility between New York City and Buffalo. Sarah Bernhardt, Ethel and John Barrymore and many others performed on its stage. Since closing in 1978, the vacant theater has experienced neglect and significant deterioration.

Stone Opera House

The Binghamton Press building was built in 1904. Originally
called the “Kilmer Building,” it was to be the home of the Binghamton Press, a
newspaper founded by local businessman Willis Sharp Kilmer.&nbsp; Designed by T.I. Lacy and Sons, the 12-story
building would be Binghamton's tallest structure for nearly seventy years.&nbsp;

The original lobby, covered with magnificent marble tiles,
leads to an exquisite grand staircase. Ornamental plaster artwork adorns the
ceiling. The marble floor was originally highlighted with an inlaid brass
design and "Kilmer Building" logo.&nbsp;

In 2008 much of the exterior of the building was restored,
the first floor was renovated to include a new entrance and lobby, and four of
the upper floors were extensively remodeled.&nbsp;

In December, 2010, a fire in the adjacent building caused
extensive water damage throughout the Press Building. Since that time each
floor of the building has been gutted and prepared for rehab. Today the
building remains vacant.

The Binghamton Press building was built in 1904. Originally called the “Kilmer Building,” it was to be the home of the Binghamton Press, a newspaper founded by local businessman Willis Sharp Kilmer.  The building was designed by T.I. Lacy and Sons.

Press Building

Designed by Truman I. Lacey and son, this Binghamton
"skyscraper" was built in 1904 to be the headquarters of the rapidly
growing Security Mutual Life Insurance Company.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;building stands as an elaborate expression of
Beaux-Arts Classical architecture. The massive arch at the entrance was created
in the image of the company's original emblem - a stone bridge spanning a river
with a setting sun in the background. Originally, a radiating pattern of
ironwork filled the upper portion of the arch further emphasizing the concept.
The design is echoed around the windows of the upper floors where carved stone
lion heads look out over the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Inside, the highly ornate two-story lobby is one of the most
magnificent in the area. Finished in Pavonezza and Carrerra marble, the grand
entrance features twin marble staircases that curve gracefully to the second
floor. The domed ceiling is framed by architectural features and high above the
entrance a marble sculpture of a hunting dog watches over the lobby. Some say
it's the architect's dog, others believe it to be the family dog of the first
company president, and there is some indication that it simply exists as a
symbol of fidelity for the insurance company.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The walls on each side of the lobby are faced with arches,
where in 1983 the company commissioned local artists to paint murals depicting
life in Broome County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Magnificent woodwork, ornate fireplaces, vintage light
fixtures, and even the original conference room table are found in the executive
offices on the upper floors. A close look at the doorknobs reveals an intricate
Security Mutual logo molded into the brass fixtures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today, the building still serves as corporate headquarters
for the Security Mutual Life Insurance Company.

The Security Mutual Building was built in 1904. Designed by Truman I. Lacey and Son, the 10-story building is an elaborate expression of Beaux-Arts Classical architecture.

Security Mutual Life Insurance Building

In 1901, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie contributed $75,000 for a library in Binghamton. Two years later construction began, at a time when construction was booming in the rapidly growing town. That year saw construction of the library, the neighboring Security Mutual Life building, and around the corner on Chenango Street, the 12-story Press Building. Binghamton’s new public library was designed by architects Sanford and H.A. Lacey, and, as one of the last projects of his career, Isaac Perry acted as design consultant. The neoclassic-style yellow brick building is trimmed with limestone. A two-story front entrance portico is of Greek Ionic style and the steeply pitched concrete roof is covered with red clay tile. Names of thirteen literary icons including Emerson, Homer, Plato and Shakespeare are etched in stone above the large windows.  Inside, grand arched passageways, brick fireplaces, rich wood trim and twin staircases dominate the first floor. Library shelves once filled the mezzanine, and upstairs is a magnificent amber skylight.  On the occasion of laying the cornerstone, which can be seen at the northwest corner of the building, the facility’s first librarian, William F. Seward, spoke of Binghamton’s new public library as “the people’s university.” Functioning as a library, historical museum and community center, the institution successfully filled that role for nearly 100 years. In 2000, a new home for the library was built nearby and since that time Carnegie’s “gift to Binghamton” has remained vacant.

Built in 1903 with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. The building was designed by Sanford and H.A. Lacey under the supervision of Isaac Gale Perry. The building closed in 2000 was vacant for many years until it became home to the SUNY Broome School of Culinary Arts.

Carnegie Library, Binghamton

The Broome County Courthouse
we see today is actually the fifth in a series of courthouses, and the third to
stand in this spot.&nbsp; The first was a
small wooden structure built in 1802.&nbsp;
Originally located across the street where the Perry Building now
stands, it was soon moved to the courthouse square, then replaced in 1806, and
again in 1828.&nbsp; The fourth courthouse,
built in 1856, was destroyed by fire forty years later, and the current
structure was built the following year.&nbsp;
Designed by Isaac Gale Perry, it is of similar style and maintains the
same footprint as its predecessor.&nbsp; The
copper dome, with four clocks and a statue of Lady Justice on top, is supported
by a steel superstructure.&nbsp; Built in the
Classicism of the late 19th century, the portico is marked by six
free-standing Ionic columnns.&nbsp;

Standing at the base of the
courthouse steps is a statue of Daniel Stevens Dickinson, who, in 1834 was the
first “President” of the City of Binghamton, and ten years later would serve as
U.S. Senator.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A large Civil War monument
stands in the northwest corner of the square in tribute to Broome County’s
“Heroic Sons who served in defense of the Union.”&nbsp; The monument, also designed by Perry, was
built in 1889.&nbsp; Several years after
construction, local businessman and Civil War veteran General Edward F. Jones
added the mortars and cannonballs that surround the base of the monument.

Designed by Isaac Gale Perry and built in 1897, the Broome County Courthouse stands in Binghamton's Courthouse Square. It is the fifth County Courthouse to be built, and the third at this location. 

Broome County Courthouse

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Built in 1897, Binghamton City Hall was designed by New York
City architect Raymond Francis Almirall. Built in&nbsp;the distinctive “Ecole des Beaux
Arts,” or “Hotel de Ville” style, the building stands as a landmark in
Binghamton's Courthouse Square.&nbsp;

Characteristic of the style are bold sculptural features,
deep cornices, a raised first story, a grand entrance and staircase, arched
windows and doors, symmetry and classical details. Of special interest is the
ornate copper clad cupola that stands majestically above the Collier Street
entrance in perfect complement to the nearby County Court House dome. 

The original entrance opened to an impressive vestibule. A
marble staircase once led to another hexagonal iron staircase at the center of
the structure which spiraled around an open elevator shaft. Above the vestibule
was a two-story Council Chamber Room, its ornate walls covered with portraits
of Binghamton Mayors through the years. An equally large court room was on the
floor above.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 1972, City offices relocated and Binghamton’s Beaux Arts
masterpiece sat empty. The following year it was added to the National Register
of Historic Places. 10 years later the building was purchased and renovated
into a hotel.&nbsp;

In 2013 the building closed&nbsp;and remains vacant
today.

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Built in 1897, Binghamton City Hall was designed by New York City architect Raymond Francis Almirall. Built in the distinctive “Ecole des Beaux Arts,” or “Hotel de Ville” style, the building stands as a landmark in Binghamton's Courthouse Square. 

Binghamton History Walking Tour (Short Version)

Perry Building

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context