Historic Pelham: More Images of the Pelham Manor Residence of Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company

One of the nation's most famous nineteenth century financiers and industrialists once lived in the Village of Pelham Manor in a mansion that rivaled the finest palatial residences in the nation. His name was Martin J. Condon. For thirty-eight years, he served as president of the American Snuff Company. Condon actually created two vast fortunes because, after creating his first fortune, he was adjudged a bankrupt in August 1912. Consequently, he lost his lovely residence in Pelham Manor. That massive home was razed during the Depression years.

I have written about Martin J. Condon and his palatial Pelham residence before. See:

Fri., Dec. 23, 2005: The Pelham Manor Residence of Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company. (This posting includes a detail from a 1908 map showing where the mansion was located.)

Fri., Jun. 23, 2006: More About Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company Who Owned an Estate in Pelham Manor.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting provides additional images of Martin J. Condon's Pelham Manor mansion (as well as a better quality version of an image previously published on the Historic Pelham Blog on December 23, 2005).

Immediately below is the obverse of what is known as a "Real Photo Post Card" (RPPC) depicting the mansion of Martin J. Condon. The post card was postmarked on December 22, 1908, four years before Condon declared bankruptcy and was subsequently forced to sell the home. The mansion is built in the Spanish Renaissance style. The unusual angle of this photograph shows more of the complex on the right side of the image than many such photographs.

Obverse of Undated Real Photo Post Card Depicting the

Pelham Manor Mansion Built for Martin J. Condon of the

American Snuff Company.

Below is an advertisement published in 1912 in Country Life magazine offering the mansion for sale. I have published a lower resolution version of this image before. This higher resolution version is notable because the description of the mansion is legible and provides substantial detail regarding its interior. I have transcribed the text of the advertisement below the image to facilitate search.

1912 Real Estate Advertisement Published in Country Life

Depicting the Pelham Manor Mansion of Martin J. Condon.

"PELHAM MANOR, NEW YORK

[Image]

THIS unusually desirably [sic] estate of five and one-half acres in the choicest section of Pelham Manor is offered for sale at less than the original cost of the buildings. It is situated at the southwest corner of the Boston Turnpike and Esplanade, with a frontage of six hundred and fifty feet on the former and of three hundred and eighty-five feet on the latter.

The dwelling, Spanish Renaissance in design, was erected by George Mertz's Sons from plans of Little & O'Connor and has every modern convenience. The house is equipped throughout with an indirect hot water heater system and all bathroom fittings, electrical fixtures, etc. are the finest obtainable.

The first floor contains large living room 46 x 44, drawing room 33 x 21, billiard room 33 x 21, dining room 33 x 21, breakfast room 25 x 21, two dressing rooms with lavatories, kitchen, laundry, servants' sitting room, pantries and numerous closets.

ON the second floor are four masters' bedrooms 25 x 21 and two masters' bedrooms each 24 x 14. Each bedroom has its own private bath and unusually spacious closets. There are also two large dressing rooms connecting with two of the larger bedrooms. The servants' rooms, eight in number with two baths, are in a separate wing on the same floor.

The furniture now in the main rooms of the first floor, most of which was especially designed for the house, as well as furniture for some of the masters' bedrooms, can be secured at a very moderate cost at the option of the purchaser.

There is a private chapel on the third floor with stained glass windows and decorations from designs by the Church Glass & Decorating Company.

Surrounding the southerly and easterly sides of the house are numerous porches and terraces. There is a stable, of the same general design as the house, containing four box stalls, accommocations for six automobiles, harness rooms, cleaning rooms, etc.

For Plans and Further Particulars apply to

Tel. 7417 Bryant PAYSON McL. MERRILL 481 5th Ave., N.Y. City

PARSONS, CLOSSON & McILVAINE, Attorneys, 52 William Street, N.Y. City, OR YOUR OWN BROKER"

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Labels: 1908, 1910, 1912, Boston Post Road, Esplanade, Mansions, Martin J. Condon