The Harrington House on Linden Avenue

The Harrington family established their house on Linden Avenue in 1929 after William Harrington purchased the property following his success in the regional banking industry. Three generations lived there, including William, his wife Margaret, their children, and William’s mother who remained in the household. The family income came from banking services, investment management, and commercial lending.

City records describe the residence as a carefully maintained Art Deco home with active use of the study, dining room, and upper bedrooms during the years when the Harrington financial business remained stable.

The first warning sign appeared in 1938 when Harrington Bank recorded several failed commercial loans and delayed repayments from local businesses. During the economic difficulties of the era, William reduced staff, closed several upstairs rooms, and postponed repairs to the copper roof, metal accents, and stone steps. After William’s illness in 1941, management of the remaining investments became uncertain. By 1944, unpaid taxes, business debts, and legal expenses forced the Harrington family to leave Linden Avenue and relocate while creditors reviewed the property.

The Harrington House was abandoned in 1945 after foreclosure followed years of banking decline, unpaid debts, and unresolved financial obligations. No restoration occurred, and no Harrington descendants returned after leaving Linden Avenue. Municipal records documented unsuccessful ownership transfers and continued deterioration of the vacant property. The interior rooms remained closed, preserving household furnishings, financial papers, and personal belongings left behind. Over the decades, moisture damage, weather exposure, and structural wear affected the limestone facade, copper roof, and decorative features. The Art Deco and Federal Revival house remains empty on the residential block, slowly deteriorating without restoration or confirmed future use.