Historic Pelham: More About Martin J. Condon and the Mansion He Built in the Village of Pelham Manor

Though the Town of Pelham has been the home of some of the grandest mansions of their time in the United States, the largest and grandest ever built in Pelham was the one built by Martin J. Condon on Boston Post Road in the Village of Pelham Manor. For nearly four decades, Martin J. Condon served as president of the American Snuff Company and also served as Mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee.

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 purchased by R. Clifford Black who lived in the home with his wife until his death. The massive empty mansion was economically unfeasible due to property taxes during the Depression years, so the structure was razed.

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

Thu., Jan. 29, 2015: R. Clifford Black of Black, Starr & Frost Bought the Martin J. Condon Mansion in 1913.

Tue., Sep. 16, 2014: More Images of the Pelham Manor Residence of Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company.

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 posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides an image of a rare post card depicting the Condon estate after it was purchased by R. Clifford Black. Additionally, the posting includes below two photographs made available by Mr. Jim Tumblin, an author who recently published an excellent article on the life of Martin J. Condon (see below).

"RESIDENCE OF R. CLIFFORD BLACK, Pelham Manor, N.Y."

Undated Post Card View of the Mansion Built for Martin J.

Condon of the American Snuff Company after the Estate was

Acquired by R. Clifford Black in 1913. NOTE: Click to Enlarge.

Author Jim Tumblin recently published an excellent article on the life of Martin J. Condon and graciously forwarded two images of Martin J. Condon. Immediately below is a citation and link to Mr. Tumblin's article:

Tumblin, Jim, History and Mysteries: Martin J. Condon (1858-1940), Shopper News (Feb. 10, 2015) (available at http://shoppernewsnow.com/featured-content/martin-j-condon-1858-1940/ and visited on Mar. 3, 2015).