Contractor Andrew H. McPherson was known for building homes for Cornell professors in Cayuga Heights and Forest Home.
209 Cayuga Heights Road
Year built: 1928
Architect: Clinton L. Vivian
Style: English Country Revival
Architect Clinton L. Vivian designed this English Country Revival home at 209 Cayuga Heights Road for the Wanzer family. Elmer and Mabel Little Wanzer purchased the lot in 1927, and the house was constructed in 1928 by contractor Andrew H. McPherson.
Year built: 1928
Architect: Clinton L. Vivian
Style: English Country Revival
Architect Clinton L. Vivian designed this English Country Revival home at 209 Cayuga Heights Road for the Wanzer family. Elmer and Mabel Little Wanzer purchased the lot in 1927, and the house was constructed in 1928 by contractor Andrew H. McPherson.
Photograph by A. Sergeev, 2005
Unique for its multi-gabled roofline, the home is faced with brick on the first story and stucco above, with brick trim around the windows. An arched window overlooks the driveway on the north side of the house, and a curved copper roof overhangs the side and rear doors.
The Wanzers had the house built with a slate roof. A year later they replaced it with asbestos tiles. The detached garage has a large radiator across the back wall. Steam was piped from the house to the garage. Considering the large gaps underneath the carriage-style garage doors, it would be very expensive to heat the garage today!
The Wanzers had the house built with a slate roof. A year later they replaced it with asbestos tiles. The detached garage has a large radiator across the back wall. Steam was piped from the house to the garage. Considering the large gaps underneath the carriage-style garage doors, it would be very expensive to heat the garage today!
Inside the home, there is lovely oak woodwork throughout, as well as many tinted polychrome light fixtures. The fireplace is set diagonally in the living room. Today, the interior of the home is largely the same as when it was built. There have been no changes to the interior layout other than to open the wall between the butler’s pantry and the kitchen. The current owners added a screened porch on the south side of the house in 2011.
The two star magnolias right along Cayuga Heights Road are magnificent when they bloom, one of the first signs of spring in the neighborhood, so they attract photographers and artists. The gardens are best in the spring, with a tulip magnolia, striking coral azaleas, rhododendrons, several varieties of lilacs, and more.
The two star magnolias right along Cayuga Heights Road are magnificent when they bloom, one of the first signs of spring in the neighborhood, so they attract photographers and artists. The gardens are best in the spring, with a tulip magnolia, striking coral azaleas, rhododendrons, several varieties of lilacs, and more.
The Wanzer Block in 1906, with the awning above Wanzer and Howell Grocers. From Daniel L. Snodderly, Ithaca and Its Past: The History and "Architecture of the Downtown," DeWitt Historical Society of Tompkins County, Ithaca, New York, 1982, p. 57.
Elmer Wanzer, who lived in the home from 1928 until his death in 1933, owned the Wanzer Block at the corner of State Street and Aurora Street, where Viva Taqueria is currently located. His father built the building and ran Wanzer and Howell Grocers there originally, and later Elmer took over the store. It appears the grocery store was closed following his death. Elmer also served as Village of Cayuga Heights Trustee from 1929 to 1933. Mabel Little Wanzer was 36 years younger than her husband, and was his second wife. Mabel lived at the home until 1944.
The second owners of 209 Cayuga Heights Road were Morgan P. Bacon and Mabel L. Bacon. Morgan P. Bacon was manager of the fish department at Atwater’s Market, a grocery store in the Colonial Building, in 1919, when he was 43, so presumably he remained in the grocery business. Mabel was his second wife, as well. Morgan died in August 1952, and Mabel lived in the home until her death in November 1960.
The second owners of 209 Cayuga Heights Road were Morgan P. Bacon and Mabel L. Bacon. Morgan P. Bacon was manager of the fish department at Atwater’s Market, a grocery store in the Colonial Building, in 1919, when he was 43, so presumably he remained in the grocery business. Mabel was his second wife, as well. Morgan died in August 1952, and Mabel lived in the home until her death in November 1960.
Josephine Little
Following Mabel Bacon’s death, Mabel Bacon’s brother, George W. Little, and his wife Josephine S. Little moved from their home in Fall Creek into the house. They retained much of Mabel’s furniture, including the custom-made living room rug with one corner woven on the diagonal to accommodate the fireplace. Josephine Little worked at Gannett’s Children’s Shop and as manager/buyer for the boy’s department at Rothschild’s Department Store. She remained in the house until 1985 but stayed in Ithaca once she moved out, and she lived to be 100.
No children had lived in this house until 1985, when the current owners moved in. The functioning original buzzer system and the 2-story laundry chute were sources of great entertainment to their children and their friends.
No children had lived in this house until 1985, when the current owners moved in. The functioning original buzzer system and the 2-story laundry chute were sources of great entertainment to their children and their friends.
