Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Houses in my neighborhood

I was recently reading a blog entry at Cottage state of mind. Dawn was telling the history behind her house. I find that kinda stuff very interesting. It got me to thinking about the history of my house and the block we live on. Our house was built in 1920 by a very wealthy family the Bellamy's best known for the fact they started and owned a little local telephone company. They actually owned the whole block and in each of the four homes were occupied by various family members. There was ma and pa Bellamy who lived in our house and then two brothers, and I guess the grandparents lived in the largest brick house. Behind our house was grandma's gardens and as our neighbor behind us Shirley (who eloped with one of the brothers) told us they had to wait for grandma to die before they could tear out the garden and build their home. So a lot of the old timers call it the Bellamy block. I guess back in the day they were all very wealthy and they actually had they're own parking lot and tennis courts across the street (they're are now houses there).




This home sits across the street but supposedly was on our block at one time.

















This house sits next door to us. It is the oldest on the block built in the late 1800's. It was originally one story but during the 1920's the house was lifted and they made it two story. One of the brother's lived in it. It is also the house everyone tells me if they won the lotto they would buy?! I would probably go for the brick one personally. That's just me.

This is the big brick beauty the grandparents lived in. Let me tell you it's yard is always gorgeous!











This is our home where the parents lived and raised the two boys. I just think it is so fun to find out the history of homes and the people who once lived there or as my boys swear might still live there!

16 comments:

  1. Hello---
    Love the house post. I enjoy going through
    old houses and finding out about them.
    It's always fun tho learn about the family/ies
    that lived there in the past.

    PS-I signed on as a follower. :)
    Melinda

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  2. I find that the history of a home to be so interesting. I often wonder who lived in my own home and how it used to look through the years. Btw, your home is very pretty!~Patti

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  3. Great post! I'm sure the Grandmother held out as long as she could since they were so coveting her garden for the land!

    The Brick house would look like a fortress if they hadn't done such interesing things with the window. Love the staggeard ones, must be stairs on the other side?

    Honestly, yours is my favorite though!
    Dawn

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  4. Hi Traci,
    What wonderful history and stories. They remind me of a wonderful neighbor friend who lived a few houses down from mine, Gloria, who would tell me stories about our block and how it first began. She was the original owner of her home. She basically saw our street begin from the ground up. The stories she told were amazing. I do miss her. She passed almost a year ago. See now you made me cry :-) Thank you for sharing.

    Hugs,
    ♥Ana

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  5. Such great history!. I love an old house you know the saying "if walls could talk". The old homes have so much charm. I really enjoyed your post.
    Take care and enjoy your day,
    Elizabeth

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  6. Hi sweet!

    Thank you so much for visiting my place! It's so nice to "meet" new friends! I just love this spot of yours, too!

    What a gorgeous neighborhood! Such a beautiful home you have... and yes, that brick home.... *sigh*, so amazing!

    So glad to be in touch with you!
    Hugs,
    Christina :)

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  7. Hi Traci! Thank you for coming by my blog and leaving such a kind and caring comment. I am so sorry to hear about your cousin, 36 is just way to young to die from anything let alone cancer. My thoughts and prayers are definitely with you! I'll be back to visit again:)
    T

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  8. Hi Traci,
    I loved reading about the history of your home and of the Bellamy Block. Enjoyed seeing the beautiful houses as well!

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving the nice comment! Hope our paths cross again soon.

    Bill

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  9. I LOVE those homes. What great architecture...

    If you get a chance stop by and say hi! I just put up a NEW POST!
    Have a great night,
    Aimee

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  10. What a neat story behind your beautiful home. Grandma must have had some garden. I'm with your girl. I'd go for the Grandma house. Have a blessed day.

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  11. what an adorable blog you have!!! love the color combos and interesting posts.

    so glad you hopped over so that i could hop over here.

    xo

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  12. So nice to meet you and thank you for leaving a comment on my blog...I adore your home...so cozy and sweet...I just think how romantic it would be to live in an older home with history...ours is not old at all! So I try to make it look old...???? Anyways I am off to read some more of your past posts and get to know you a bit more!

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  13. How fun and interesting! Thanks for sharing the history of your block! I live in a new house in a new subdivision...but I used to live in a 100 year old Victorain cottage. I'm afraid I don't miss the 75...yes, 75...bats in the attic! I counted them as they squeezed out of a little hole and flew away one by one at night! lol Happy weekend...Debbie

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  14. They are all stunning!! Just like your Gorgeous home!!

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  15. What fun histoires! I don't live in a neighborhood that is old enough to have a history, seems like I am going to have to do that! But I loved reading about yours!
    xoxo Agnes

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  16. Oh I love house stories...your story is so wonderful. We DO have a lot in common. I'm so glad. Our home is 105 years old in our historic downtown. We purchased it from our mayor and his wife who had lived here for 40 years and raised 5 children. It was built by the local postmaster and is the only home on our block with a drive and carriage house...I guess for the mail truck. I am so sorrry about your cousin. I know this is very painful. Have a wonderful labor day. xo rachel

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