NYC Facades

Entering the compound

Not a real temple

The Hearst Castle is something else. Google it if you haven’t been (and then plan a trip; you can’t go wrong there).

Three beautiful townhouses

I happened past these town houses and was simply awestruck.Their curb appeal is immense; set back, architecturally unique, well-kept. The whole block is something else. (See a mention of the style of this area in this article linked also from the St. Luke’s Church page.)

How did it come to pass that Harlem has the best single family home architecture? What architectural style are these in, anyway?

I have trouble identifying the style on this building. Is it historicist?

Of Dyckman Street fame

This farmhouse dates to about 1783. It is featured in Essential New York (see links on the right). According to that history, the farm on which it sat dates to the arrival of Jan Dyckman from Holland in 1661. The farm extended north (presumably from Dyckman Street) to the Harlem River, and comprised 300 acres. The original farmhouse was burnt down by the British as they retreated. This building survives today because the Dyckman descendants donated the site to the city to prevent its demolition in 1915.

Also according to Essential New York, part of the apple orchard from the farm was still on the farm as late as 1904 when the IRT was built here. I doubt it lasted long after that, though.