Three weeks ago, just before Geneseo’s music festival weekend, I drove down State Street—just past the city park, and I was shocked to see a large Deere excavating machine parked next to the Queen Anne Victorian home at 316 South State Street. After pulling over and observing more carefully, I saw the JULIE locater flags in the front yard, and I knew immediately what that meant. The house is going to be demolished. As of today, the house still stands.
It’s one of my favorite houses in Geneseo, situated adjacent from the city park and along the State Street boulevard in one of the most visible locations in town. It has unique architectural features, with an upstairs arched porch and Queen Anne details across the roofline of the downstairs porch, topped off with fish scale scallops on the upper levels of the home. For me, it’s very disappointing that one of the most iconic and historic Geneseo homes isn’t being restored. Does anyone else in Geneseo feel the same way?
I’m fully aware that the house has been neglected for many years. It was used as a duplex, and I know from the experience of once being a landlord that not all renters are good ones. It also needs a roof, new windows, and probably needs all new mechanicals, but the house doesn’t look hopeless. I don’t pretend to know all of the reasons why it is being demolished; there may be many. It looks structurally sound.
A quick search on Zillow has a description and pictures of the house from a 2019 listing. It has an intricate open stairway, a fireplace, original woodwork, hardwood floors, a pocket door, and stained glass. The description states that “It’s a rare opportunity to own a piece of preserved history.” The same Zillow listing also indicates that the home was sold in 2020.
Just a block south of the home is a sign on the boulevard that says, “Geneseo Historic District.” I don’t know exactly what that means in Geneseo, as several homes along State Street have been demolished in recent years, and this house is apparently going to be next. Geneseo used to proudly market itself as “Victorian Geneseo,” but I have not heard the town promoted in that way for a number of years.
Historic Preservation of our homes and downtown buildings draws residents and tourism to places like Geneseo. Restoring our older homes is an investment in our community and our future. It’s our architecture that often sets one community apart from another, especially in the Midwest. Instead of demolition, let’s respect the craftsmanship of those before us, and find solutions and the resources to help preserve these unique and historic homes.
-Marty Golby, Geneseo