Gazing up at the majestic Bailey House, one might imagine the roar of a circus crowd. But instead of lions and tigers, this Romanesque Revival mansion housed the mastermind behind the “Greatest Show on Earth.” The Bailey House, located at 10 St. Nicholas Place in the Sugar Hill area of Harlem, was built for James Anthony Bailey, the Bailey of Barnum & Bailey Circus, between 1886 and 1888. Designed by architect Samuel Burrage Reed, the Bailey House stands as a testament to Bailey’s success. Back then, this area was sparsely developed. The Bailey House, perched on an escarpment, commanded a breathtaking view all the way to the Long Island Sound. Imagine Bailey, perhaps standing on this very spot, enjoying the panorama after a long day under the big top. The house itself is a spectacle. Its limestone facade is punctuated by Flemish-style gables and a striking corner tower. Look closely at the windows. Many of them are unique stained-glass mosaics, designed and fabricated by Henry Belcher. Inside, rich, hand-carved timber paneling adorns the walls, whispering stories of a bygone era. Bailey, sadly, didn’t own the house for long. He sold it two years before his death. The house later became home to others, including a Bavarian doctor named Franz Koempel, who owned it from the 1910s to the 1950s. Later, Marguerite Blake purchased the Bailey House in 1951 and operated the M. Marshall Blake Funeral Home here for many years. The echoes of both joy and sorrow have resonated within these walls. The Bailey House has faced its share of challenges, including a fire in 2000. Despite these setbacks, it stands proud, a designated New York City Landmark since 1974 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. The Bailey House continues its journey through time, currently under the care of owners who are dedicated to its restoration. So, the next time you hear the call of the calliope, remember the Bailey House, a silent witness to the legacy of a circus giant. It stands as a reminder that even the most extraordinary lives eventually find a quiet place to call home.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to