Highland Cottage

Highland Cottage, also known as Squire House, stands as a remarkable testament to architectural innovation and historical significance in Ossining, New York. Nestled on South Highland Avenue, this Gothic Revival gem is not just a house but a chronicle of varied uses and transformations over the decades. Built in the 1870s, it proudly holds the title of the first concrete house in Westchester County, a pioneering achievement that underscores the ingenuity of its creator, Henry J. Baker.

A Glimpse into the Past

Henry J. Baker, a successful New York City businessman with a penchant for construction, acquired the property in 1869. His vision materialized in the form of Highland Cottage, a structure that defied conventional building materials of the time. Concrete, though rarely used for houses due to the abundance of wood and masonry, became the cornerstone of this unique abode. The concrete blocks were crafted using Rosendale cement, a material sourced from the now-historic Snyder Estate Natural Cement Historic District in Rosendale, New York.

Upon Baker's death in 1878, the house changed hands several times, each new owner leaving an indelible mark on its history. The Dickey family, who moved in 1881, christened it Highland Cottage. The property later became home to John Cockcroft and subsequently Dr. Amos Squire, whose family would utilize the house for various purposes throughout the 20th century.

An Architectural Marvel

Highland Cottage's architectural splendor is evident in its Gothic Revival style, characterized by intricate details and a polychromatic hipped roof shingled in a fish-scale pattern. The two-story, three-bay structure boasts 18-inch-thick load-bearing precast concrete blocks faced in stucco, giving it a robust yet elegant appearance. The northern bay rises to a peaked tower, while a one-story northern wing features a mansard roof adorned with gabled dormer windows.

The house's facades are a visual feast, with bay windows projecting from all sides except the north. These windows are framed by narrow round-arched one-over-one double-hung sash windows, surrounded by stippled corners designed to mimic quoins. Above these windows, a bracketed cornice with broad eaves and a flat roof adds to the house's grandeur. The main entrance, located on the northern bay of the east facade, is set within a recessed round-arched entryway, adorned with similar decorative elements and a keystone featuring a lion.

Interior Elegance

The interior of Highland Cottage is as captivating as its exterior. The main entrance opens to a paneled dark oak foyer, with intricately molded details and a floor of alternating light and dark oak strips. The first-floor doors, standing at an impressive nine feet high, echo the round-arched design of the entry doors and are complemented by brass hardware. The windows on the first and second floors are equipped with recesses for interior louvered shutters, adding a touch of sophistication to the space.

The ceilings are adorned with molded plaster, featuring detailed medallions on the first floor. Around the house, seven stone fireplaces, each with unique styles and gold trim, provide warmth and elegance. The library's fireplace is particularly noteworthy, with a carved marble lion's head reminiscent of the one above the main entrance.

From Sanitarium to School

Dr. Amos Squire, who acquired the house in 1905, transformed the first floor into the Grandview Sanitarium, a mental hospital. Following World War I, the house served as a hospital for injured sailors, reflecting Dr. Squire's commitment to public service. In the 1920s, the ground floor became the Castle Inn restaurant, while the Squire family retained their quarters upstairs. After the restaurant relocated in 1923, the house returned to residential use.

Dr. Squire's daughter, Evelyn Squire Culp, inherited the house upon his death in 1949. A practicing lawyer and Columbia Business School graduate, Culp founded the Squire School of Business in the house in 1952, where she taught office and secretarial skills for two decades. She continued to tutor private pupils until 1984, when she donated the house to the Westchester Preservation League. The house remained her residence until 1996, after which it was sold to a private owner.

A Living Landmark

Today, Highland Cottage stands as a living landmark, a testament to the ingenuity and vision of its creators and caretakers. Its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and later as a contributing property to the Downtown Ossining Historic District, underscores its significance in the architectural and historical tapestry of the region.

Visitors to Ossining can marvel at this Gothic Revival masterpiece, appreciating not only its aesthetic beauty but also the rich history it embodies. Highland Cottage is more than just a house; it is a symbol of resilience, innovation, and the enduring legacy of those who have called it home.