1.17 Acres in West Pittston, PA - $587,500
Susquehanna Avenue in West Pittston is well known for its magnificent & stately homes. The full architectural style Victorian Stick with Queen Anne influences restoration of the George B. Thompson home to its original beauty of 1891 is an example of the opulent splendor of a time past, offering a striking view of the Historic Susquehanna River spread over 1.17 acres & 5700 sq. ft. of living space. Sitting back from the tree-lined avenue, it offers a striking view of the Susquehanna River.
G.B. Thompson was born in Berwick in 1842 and came to Pittston at the age of 32. He quickly became a prominent citizen of the Pittston area, engaging in the general real estate brokerage business in 1874. Bradsby wrote in the History of Luzerne County, West Pittston is "an elegant residence spot of some of Pittston's wealthiest people." Like many of Pittston's successful citizens, G.B. and wife Alverda s...
G.B. Thompson was born in Berwick in 1842 and came to Pittston at the age of 32. He quickly became a prominent citizen of the Pittston area, engaging in the general real estate brokerage business in 1874. Bradsby wrote in the History of Luzerne County, West Pittston is "an elegant residence spot of some of Pittston's wealthiest people." Like many of Pittston's successful citizens, G.B. and wife Alverda sought a more gracious life and turned their eyes to genteel West Pittston. And so, on October 22, 1879, G.B. and Alverda purchased what was known as lot Number One of the West Pittston Land Association. This corner lot had an unobstructed view of the Susquehanna River. The cost was $4,000. a considerable sum in 1879 for an empty tract of land measuring 66 by 230 feet. It is unclear if G.B.'s intention was to build his family home or hold the land as a real estate investment.
What is known is the lot stood idle for 12 years. Finally on July 23, 1888, architectural plans were completed by well-known Binghamton architects T. I. Lacey and Son. Truman Lacey designed many buildings of note such as the Sayre Opera House, Eaton Hall on the campus of Colgate University, Carbondale City Hall, the Trinity Memorial Church, and the Security Mutual Life Building, both in Binghamton. The Thompson home's architectural style is Victorian Stick with Queen Anne influences. The Stick style is a transitional style. It preceded Gothic Revival and was rapidly replaced by the Queen Anne style. The identifying Stick style features of the Thompson home are the gabled roof, decorative trusses, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter ends, and wooden wall cladding with horizontal boards for emphasis. The home was built to maximize the river view, complete with large windows and an oversized front veranda. The completion of construction was noted in the March 27, 1891 issue of the Pittston Gazette with the observation, "G.B. Thompson has moved into his new Susquehanna Avenue residence". G.B. was a progressive man. The home would boast many large closets and an unusually large bathroom, uncommon for the time. The home also was built with central heat. Later, a central vacuum would be installed. A practical man, G.B. insisted the home's exterior paint be medium gray due to the rail line directly across the river. He was concerned the soot from the train would make his home appear dirty. Years later, the family would "spruce up" the appearance by painting the trim a cheerful color of black. Extended family members visited in the summertime, enjoying the gracious life, sitting in rockers on the veranda. A frequent visitor was cousin Marion Lorne, an Emmy Award-winning character actress. Cousin Marion was best known for her role of "Aunt Clara" on the sitcom Bewitched.
