Webster Automotive, Webster, NY
Posted by: 
MrsMcFly
N 43° 12.706 W 077° 26.068
18T E 302249 N 4787209
Quick Description: Built in 1845, this cobblestone building has served many different purposes through the years.
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 7/9/2008 6:52:07 AM
Waymark Code: WM459T
Views: 37
Long Description:
Historical Marker in front of the store states:
Early Church - 1845
First Universalist Society
1845 - John Farr - Mason Contractor
1925 - Johnson Brothers Garage
1962 Automotive Supply Store
History of the building can be found in Cobblestone Quest by Sue & Rich Freeman:
A small group of men and women met to organize a religious society based on Universalism, their society was called "The First Universalist Society of Webster, New York." They appointed a committee to look into building a permanent meeting location. They bought a lot for Dr. A. Crocker to build a church at a cost not to exceed $1,200.00. The committee decided to build a cobblestone structure with John Farr, a society member, as mason, contractor and builder.
Members and their families gathered cobblestones along the shore of Lake Ontario and brought them to the building site. The stones were sorted and red sandstone cobbles were used in the front of the building and mixed-colored cobblestones on the sides and foundation. The horizontal joints were formed as convex Vs and vertical joints as triangular pyramid shapes. The church was dedicated during a celebration on November 12 and 13, 1845, by Reverend L.L. Spaulding.
The building was used as a garage in the 1920's, so some of the windows were bricked over and covered with a cobblestone veneer. The building then became an Automotive Supply Store, storefront windows were installed and the east and west windows were filled with concrete blocks.
It is interesting to know who the mason was, with many cobblestone buildings that part of history is lost.
City, Town, Village Name: Webster
Building Usage: Automotive Parts Store
Architectural style: Greek Revival
Public or Private: Public
Tours Available?: Not Listed
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Original photo of the building is necessary to log a visit in this category, no photos of GPS or person required.