Edwin Litchfield built his house when the City of Brooklyn was only one of Kings Countys six towns and his property was out near the citys farthest rural extremity. From his cupolaed eyrie, Litchfield could gaze down upon the Gowanus Canal, which he built. He hired the preeminent architect of the day, Alexander Jackson Davis, whose credits included the magnificent house called Lyndhurst, in Tarrytown, N.Y. Davis had been a friend and collaborator of Andrew Jackson Downing, the mentor of architect Calvert Vaux. It was fitting when Brooklyn acquired land adjacent to Litchfields for Vauxs Prospect Park. As it happened, Vaux came to believe that the land occupied by Litchfields house was needed for the park. A deal was made whereby Litchfield and his wife got to lease the house until they died, in 1885 and 1881, respectively. After their deaths, the city took possession of the structure. Situated in Prospect Park, the villa rose between 1854 and 1857 — predating the park itself. It was fitting when Brooklyn acquired land adjacent to Litchfields for Vauxs Prospect Park. As it happened, Vaux came to believe that the land occupied by Litchfields house was needed for the park. A deal was made whereby Litchfield and his wife got to lease the house until they died, in 1885 and 1881, respectively. After their deaths, the city took possession of the structure. Pictured here in 1870.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 02:04:01 +0000
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