Carl Cornwell Tallman (1884-1969) and Robert Bradford Tallman (1919-2006)
Carl Cornwell Tallman graduated from the Cornell School of Architecture in 1907. After graduation, he co-founded the firm Tallman and Betts in Auburn, New York. The young architect appreciated the vernacular "wood-built houses" of central New York, where he grew up. He incorporated elements of these homes in his early designs.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Tallman designed a number of "hillside" homes in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Then, in 1934, Tallman started a solo practice in Ithaca. After Carl’s son Robert (Cornell Arch ’46) returned from serving in World War II, he joined his father’s practice, and they opened Tallman and Tallman at the Corners Community Center. The Tallmans designed more than 20 homes in Cayuga Heights between 1917 and 1951, as well as numerous residential and commercial buildings in Ithaca. According to local historian Carol Sisler, Tallman had a reputation for designing “small (8 to 10 rooms) houses in the Colonial style.” The Tallmans’ postwar designs reflected more modern design trends. Robert Tallman designed Ithaca College campus buildings on South Hill and later partnered with Jason K. Demarest, who has preserved many of the Tallmans’ design plans.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Tallman designed a number of "hillside" homes in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Then, in 1934, Tallman started a solo practice in Ithaca. After Carl’s son Robert (Cornell Arch ’46) returned from serving in World War II, he joined his father’s practice, and they opened Tallman and Tallman at the Corners Community Center. The Tallmans designed more than 20 homes in Cayuga Heights between 1917 and 1951, as well as numerous residential and commercial buildings in Ithaca. According to local historian Carol Sisler, Tallman had a reputation for designing “small (8 to 10 rooms) houses in the Colonial style.” The Tallmans’ postwar designs reflected more modern design trends. Robert Tallman designed Ithaca College campus buildings on South Hill and later partnered with Jason K. Demarest, who has preserved many of the Tallmans’ design plans.
Tallman-Designed Homes in the Village of Cayuga Heights
Patricia Longoria
Village of Cayuga Heights Deputy Historian
Village of Cayuga Heights Deputy Historian
Sources:
Jason K. Demarest, "TDA Archive 2" (list of Carl C. Tallman house plans), provided to Patricia Longoria 2015.
The American Contractor; A Weekly Journal Devoted to the Business of the Contractor, December 9, 1922, 45.
Carol Sisler, Enterprising Families, Ithaca, New York (Ithaca, New York: Enterprise Publishing, 1986), 150.
Charles Blood to Carl Becker, March 26, 1917, Carl Becker Papers, #14-17-132. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Jason K. Demarest, "TDA Archive 2" (list of Carl C. Tallman house plans), provided to Patricia Longoria 2015.
The American Contractor; A Weekly Journal Devoted to the Business of the Contractor, December 9, 1922, 45.
Carol Sisler, Enterprising Families, Ithaca, New York (Ithaca, New York: Enterprise Publishing, 1986), 150.
Charles Blood to Carl Becker, March 26, 1917, Carl Becker Papers, #14-17-132. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
