I am looking for any pre-1971 photographs of the structure located for about 95 years on 119 Stone Street in Watertown NY. It had many reincarnations and was extensively remodeled several times for its different roles.
Going backwards in time, here is the "genealogy" of the building:
•In 1969 it was purchased by that National Bank of Northern New York and was razed in February, 1971 to make room for a bank parking lot and drive-through.
•Before 1947 until 1969, it was used as a music store and was known for part of that period as the Curtis-Holmes Building.
•Used for fourteen years, including 1929, by the Watertown Aerie of Eagles.
•Leased in 1919 by the Watertown Lodge B.P.O.E. (Elks).
•Used 1904-1919 by Herbert R. Huested for a studio and photo processing center. It was known then as the Huested Studio Building or Huested Building. It was owned in 1919 by Dennis E. Guilfoyle.
•Leased c. 1900 by the Watertown Council Knights of Columbus as a clubhouse.
•Built c. 1876 by James Murray Calhoun for Oscar Paddock as “The Model Barn of Northern New York,” described below:
25 Jan 1877 , The Watertown Re-Union
The Model Barn of Northern New York
On Stone street, Mr. Oscar Paddock has constructed one of the best barns in this vicinity. The main building is 61x91 feet, built of brick, 14 inch hollow walls, with Mansard roof. On the first floor is a parlor and sitting room 16x30, finished in cherry and ash with hard finished walls. Above these rooms are three very convenient bedrooms with clothespresses. And in the rear is the carriage house and stable, 37x38. Off the carriage house is a harness room with all the conveniences and modern improvements for a place of that kind. From the carriage house you enter the stable department, containing two ordinary stables and a box stall.---Back of these are the cow stables, and adjoining these latter stables is the ice house which opens from the outside.---The hay loft is very large, convenient and well arranged. In the section over the horse stables is a large bin lined on the outside with tin to prevent rats and mice from entering. In fact the whole building is vermin proof. From these bins radiate square boxes which convey the oats and meal to the floor below, where it is convenient to feed the horses and cattle.
The cellar of the barn is large and contains three compartments. The first has a water closet, &c,; the second room for plants and vegetables in winter, and the last is a hennery, with an opening to a hen yard in the rear.
This is probably the best and most admirably arranged barn in Northern New York.
Mr. James Calhoun, carpenter and joiner, of this city, is the original designer and builder of this barn. His taste and skill in constructing it invite the attention of those who contemplate building.
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26 Jun 1919 Watertown Daily Times
ELKS CONSIDER SEVERAL SITES
DEFINITELY DECIDED TO LEASE HUESTED STUDIO
BRITTON BLOCK CONSIDERED
Were Unable to Agree on Any Price, However, and Negotiations Have Been Dropped
...The Huested building was formerly a barn, stable and carriage house, owned by Oscar Paddock and was used for many years for this purpose. Later club rooms were fitted up over the carriage house and Watertown Council, No. 259, Knights of Columbus leased the building about 19 years ago as a clubhouse.
The building was extensively remodeled and partitions were constructed to make the building conform to the plan of a club house. After occupying the building about three years the council did not renew its lease and 15 years ago Mr. Huested rented the building. He also made extensive improvements and its appearance was so changed that few could tell it had once been a stable.
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Watertown Daily Times, 22 Feb 1971
Stone Street Building is Being Razed
Work of razing the Curtis-Holmes building, 119 Stone St., owned by the National Bank of Northern New York, was started this morning by Guy Marcinko Contractors of this city.
The two-story building will be demolished by tonight, it was said by Mr. Marcinko. The work of filling in the excavation will be finished by the latter part of the week.
The site will be used as additional parking space for the bank and also for a closed circuit TV teller station. A small building will be erected on the property, where depositors can drive up and transact their business by means of underground pneumatic tube service.
The two-story building before being purchased by the bank in 1969 was at one time occupied by the late Herbert R. Huested, photographer. He used the building from around 1904 until 1919. The Watertown Aerie of Eagles also used the property for about 14 years.
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The Jefferson County Historical Society states they have no photographs of this structure. I am hoping to find at least one picture, as it was originally built by my great-grandfather.