Alexander Brown House
726 West Onondaga Street
Alexander T. Brown was one of the founders of Brown-Lipe-Chapin Company which later became part of General Motors.  He invented the Smith Premier typewriter, the L.C. Smith Breech-loading shotgun as well as various devices for use in automobiles.

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1963

Source: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, HABS,NY,34-SYRA,32-1


The Alexander Brown home is an example of domestic "Romanesque Revival" architecture. Designed by Gordon Wright and built of Potsdam sandstone, it was completed in 1895. It once had a hydraulic elevator that ran from the basement to the attic.

The interior was extensively altered in 1947 to create offices for a group of physicians (In 1964 the sign above the door says "The Professional Building" and the marquee near the sidewalk announces the offices for two M.D.'s and a dentist). Fortunately, the "debris" left from the remodeling included much of the original trim, mantelpieces, sliding doors, etc., and the interior was largely restored to its original elegance.

In 2001, although a bit overgrown, the home still stands. It is now owned by a local architectural firm.  Today -- reflecting the changed character of the neighborhood -- the marquee reads "Securetec Security Systems."