Saturday, March 15, 2014

Granite Ruins Revisited


Old Mystic, CT

I first posted photos of this structure back in October of 2011.  You can find that post here.  I wrote back then that I knew nothing about this structure and there must be a story behind it.  I recently revisited the site and took some more photos.  It sits alone in a large field and seems to be in remarkably good shape.  I really like the various colors of granite block used in its construction.  Still being very intrigued about this building I searched as best I could and did find an article written about the property published by The Day back in July of 1978.  It's amazing what a properly worded Google query can find sometimes. 

According to the article, the house was built by Elias Brown, a Mystic lawyer, in 1825.  The designer of the house is lost in history, but it is thought that the granite used in construction came from some local quarries.  Tragically in Nov of 1924, the house burned.  Descendants of the owners have maintained the property at least until 1978 and more than likely still do some 36 years later.  The article quotes a Mrs Einna Peck, who is the daughter of the owner at the time of the fire, and was 80 years old back in 1978.  The article goes on to state that the descendants still own the house and property, and that there might be  some interest at that time in restoring the house.  After close to 36 years, the house looks pretty much the same.  Remarkably the property has not been vandalized, however nature has taken its toll on the remaining granite walls.  

As the late Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know the rest of the story..."

2 comments:

  1. What an amazing story, Ed. So, for 90 years a family has paid property taxes and paid to keep up the grounds, without any use of the building? Insane!

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    1. It is amazing when you think about it. I'm sure the family has had offers to sell but has declined. I think someone even offered to cart off all the granite stone in the house. I find it also fascinating that I could find no references to the property since that article written in 1978. The house itself is pretty impressive to see.

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