The Harrington Mansion on Crestview Avenue

The Harrington family moved to Crestview Avenue in 1907 after William Harrington inherited the mansion from his father, a successful regional railroad contractor. The home housed William, his wife Clara, their children, and his younger brother who managed family property accounts. Three generations lived there during the estate’s strongest years.

The family income came from railroad construction contracts, land investments, and equipment leasing, allowing them to maintain the limestone mansion, formal garden, and large interior rooms until economic changes weakened their finances.

The first warning sign appeared in 1930 when Harrington Construction lost several railway contracts and delayed payments to equipment suppliers. William reduced household costs by closing the west bedrooms, dismissing two domestic workers, and postponing repairs to the slate roof, stone arches, and bronze entry doors. By 1934, business debts, unpaid property taxes, and declining investments created serious financial problems. After William died in 1935, disputes between his children over inheritance delayed decisions while creditors continued pursuing unpaid obligations against the estate.

The Harrington Mansion was abandoned in 1938 after foreclosure proceedings transferred ownership and the family’s remaining property was sold to settle outstanding debts. Clara moved to live with relatives, while the children left Crestview Avenue and never returned to restore the residence. No restoration occurred, and later ownership attempts failed because of the cost of structural repairs. Historical records note continued deterioration of the limestone walls, slate roof, and interior spaces. The Romanesque Revival and Colonial Revival mansion remains empty on the historic avenue, slowly deteriorating without a clear future.