'Lynnewood Hall'

 'Lynnewood Hall', the Peter A.B. Widener estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1898 in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.  Widener was a traction and tobacco magnate with large holdings in the American Tobacco Company, Standard Oil and U.S. Steel where he was also a director.  Along with his very good friend and neighbor William L. Elkins, who resided at 'Elstowe', the two helped develop the street car system in Philadelphia.  The pair were linked for many decades and in Elkins' obituary they were referred to as the "Traction Twins."  His son George D. Widener and grandson Harry Elkins Widener died on the sinking of the Titanic.  Widener's art collection was considered one of the finest in the country and was so impressive that roughly one third of his obituary was dedicated to describing it.  Widener died at the home in 1915 at the age of 80.  In 1952 the estate was purchased by the Faith Theological Seminary and since 1993 has been owned by the First Korean Church of New York but remains vacant.  Click HERE for more on 'Lynnewood Hall'.  Click HERE to see the estate on google earth and HERE on bing.

Photos from Architecture, 1901.

'Elstowe'

 'Elstowe', the William Lukens Elkins estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1898 in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.  Elkins began his career as a partner in the produce firm of Saybolt & Elkins.  In the 1860s he opened an oil refining plant known as the Monument Oil Works and in 1875 partnered with Standard Oil.  He was a director on the boards of a large number of corporations and was a large stockholder in Standard Oil.  In early 1903 as he was walking through Philadelphia a large iron girder being hoisted onto a building under construction fell and narrowly missed him.  Elkins was apparently unable to recover from the shock and died a few months later from a complication of diseases.  Since the 1930s the house has been owned by the Dominican Sisters.  Click HERE to see 'Elstowe' on google earth and HERE on bing.

Photos from Architecture, 1901.

'The Elms'

 'The Elms', the Edward J. Berwind estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1899 in Newport, Rhode Island.  Berwind was president of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company and later chairman of the board.  Since 1962 'The Elms' has been open to the public and run by the Preservation Society of Newport County.  Click HERE to see 'The Elms' on google earth and HERE on bing.

Photos from Architecture, 1901.

'Claradon Court'

'Claradon Court', the Edward C. Knight Jr. estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1904 in Newport, Rhode Island. Knight named the house for his wife, Clara Dwight (which would have made her Clara Dwight Knight). The estate was later owned by Col. William Hayward who changed the name to 'Clarendon Court'. Click HERE to see 'Claradon Court' on google earth and HERE on bing. The estate is currently for sale for $15,800,000, click HERE to see the listing via Gustave White.

Photos from Architectural Review, 1908.

'Woodcrest'

'Woodcrest', the James W. Paul estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1899 in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Paul was a banker and partner with the firm of Drexel & Company. The house is currently part of Cabrini College. Click HERE to see 'Woodcrest' on google earth and HERE on bing. Photo from Architecture, 1903.