Holly- Rankine House
Description
Holley-Rankine House is a historic home located at Niagara Falls in Niagara County, New York. It is a two-and-a-half-story Gothic Revival cottage built about 1855 by prominent local resident George Washington Holley (1810–1897). After his death it became the home of William B. Rankine (1858–1905), who was largely responsible for constructing the Adams Power Plant. It is located overlooking the Niagara River, just above the American Falls. It is now operated as a bed and breakfast.
History
Constructed during the late 1850s-1860s, the Holley-Rankine House is significant architecturally and historically. It is the best preserved Gothic Revival cottage in Niagara Falls and epitomizes the style of rural domestic architecture of the mid-19th century. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Holley-Rankine House served as the residence of men prominent in the economical, political, and social life of Niagara Falls.
Holley purchased from Peter Porter, his business partner and distant relative, this wooded piece of land overlooking the Niagara River just above the Falls. He built a substantial house and created elaborately landscaped grounds which included carriage drives and an artificial pond. The majority of the land has since been taken up by the Robert Moses Parkway to the south. While living in this house, Holley surveyed the Falls and the surrounding area.
After Holley's death in 1897, the house remained vacant until 1902 when it was purchased by William B. Rankine. Rankine was trained as a lawyer, but his dream was to harness power from the Falls. In 1890 he gave up his law firm and drew upon his connections in New York City to become responsible for the Niagara Falls Power Company and built the Adams Power Plant Complex. The Adams Plant was the first hydro-electric plant to transmit power over long distances. Rankine died in 1905.
The house went through several different owners after Rankine's death. In the 1920s-40s, the house was owned by Frederick Laurens Lovelace, director of the Niagara Falls Power Company and prominent local businessman.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Holley-Rankine House is a historic home located at Niagara Falls in Niagara County, New York. It is a two-and-a-half-story Gothic Revival cottage built about 1855 by prominent local resident George Washington Holley (1810–1897). After his death it became the home of William B. Rankine (1858–1905), who was largely responsible for constructing the Adams Power Plant. It is located overlooking the Niagara River, just above the American Falls. It is now operated as a bed and breakfast.
History
Constructed during the late 1850s-1860s, the Holley-Rankine House is significant architecturally and historically. It is the best preserved Gothic Revival cottage in Niagara Falls and epitomizes the style of rural domestic architecture of the mid-19th century. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Holley-Rankine House served as the residence of men prominent in the economical, political, and social life of Niagara Falls.
Holley purchased from Peter Porter, his business partner and distant relative, this wooded piece of land overlooking the Niagara River just above the Falls. He built a substantial house and created elaborately landscaped grounds which included carriage drives and an artificial pond. The majority of the land has since been taken up by the Robert Moses Parkway to the south. While living in this house, Holley surveyed the Falls and the surrounding area.
After Holley's death in 1897, the house remained vacant until 1902 when it was purchased by William B. Rankine. Rankine was trained as a lawyer, but his dream was to harness power from the Falls. In 1890 he gave up his law firm and drew upon his connections in New York City to become responsible for the Niagara Falls Power Company and built the Adams Power Plant Complex. The Adams Plant was the first hydro-electric plant to transmit power over long distances. Rankine died in 1905.
The house went through several different owners after Rankine's death. In the 1920s-40s, the house was owned by Frederick Laurens Lovelace, director of the Niagara Falls Power Company and prominent local businessman.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.