206 Forest Home Dr Ithaca

This is a two-story dwelling built in two sections, both with open gable roofs and clapboard siding.  It is believed that the smaller southeastern wing is original, based on its low ceiling height and small room size. This section was built by or for a George Smith and is believed to have been built prior to 1850. The larger northwestern wing is probably a later addition, although no date of construction is available.

Porches on both the main and south wings were constructed in 1914: that on the main wing built by James Bush, Sr. of the Byway, that on the smaller wing built by William McElwee, Sr. An early twentieth century photograph indicates the presence of the larger porch sans balustrade on the south wing and an entrance without porch on the main wing.  There is a small one-bay front entry porch with Colonial Revival porch posts and a three centered arch. This door is flanked by pilasters and topped with a molded cornice. The porch on the south wing is three bays long with square porch posts.

The original house is shown on an 1853 map of Tompkins County labeled "G. Smith"; see an extract of the map showing Free Hollow (now Forest Home) [https://www.fhia.org/historic-maps-of-forest-home/#1853]. The house also appears on the map of Free Hollow in the 1866 Tompkins County Atlas, labeled, "G. Smith, Est."

In 1874, the building was purchased by George Cole, who became the first postmaster of Forest Home. The post office was originally operated from a small store located in front of this residence. When George Cole became too ill to operate this store, the post office was moved into the house where it remained until the last decade of the nineteenth century.  The property was acquired by Joseph Whetzel in 1914 and the home was continuously occupied by the Whetzel family until 1992.

The barn at the rear of the house is two stories in height with shiplap siding, concrete foundation and small six-pane windows.  The barn was used by retired farmer Joseph Whetzel to house his horse.

Included in Forest Home Historic District with USN 10906.000053. To access the Building-Structure Inventory Form (sometimes referred to as the "Blue Form"), from which many of the details above are drawn, including the approximate date built, follow these Lookup Instructions.