I walk steadfastly to work, down Lafayette Street, nearly every day all semester long, but now that Spring has finally arrived in Salem I can stroll a bit in my own neighborhood. I did just that the other day when the sun was out, with a goal but looking for flowers along the way. Last week one of my favorite Essex Street houses came on the market: the Sprague-Peabody-Silsbee House, built in 1807 for Salem merchant Joseph Sprague (with interior carving attributed to Samuel McIntre), and later enlarged and remodeled by William G. Rantoul. This is a striking Federal house, cast in a fading yellow-painted brick, with one of Salem’s best carriage houses out back. I always smile when I see it, not only because it is pleasing to look at, but also because I remember the charming couple that lived there for many years.
Along the way: a field of flowers on Chestnut, an “antler” on Federal, and a window on Essex.
The Sprague-Peabody-Sillsbee House, 1807: front and sides (the Rantoul additions are on the right side, I assume, and in the back–plus the balustrade?), carriage house and interior shots from the listing; exterior detail.
April 13th, 2014 at 10:30 am
You live in architecture heaven….
April 13th, 2014 at 11:05 am
I do, Katie! And I never forget it.
April 13th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Big smile – just right for my Sunday afternoon
April 14th, 2014 at 11:30 am
I want a window like that! Gorgeous flower garden. Am currently in South East London…not nearly as lovely:(
April 14th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Donna, Thank you for your kind comments about my family home at 380 Essex Street. It is sad to see it for sale but we are very hopeful that a family will buy it and care for it and appreciate it as my parents did for 62 years. Margot Swecker Heyer
April 15th, 2014 at 7:39 am
Margo, Thanks so much for commenting: it is really lovely to hear from you. I have such warm memories of your parents and I knew that they had lived at 380 Essex for quite a while, but 62 years! They were true stewards of the house.