Westcott University Neighborhood Historic District

Overview

The Westcott-University Neighborhood Historic District [†] is a large, predominantly residential area developed between 1840 and 1945. It is bounded by Syracuse University and Thornden Park to the west, and by other residential developments to the north, east, and south. The district encompasses much of the area developed for residential use on the east side of Syracuse when the city line was at Cumberland Avenue.

Resources and Composition

• 2,004 parcels and 2,788 buildings in total
• 2,617 contributing buildings, including 762 detached garages/outbuildings
• 2 contributing sites: Old Lodi Cemetery and Westminster Park
• 1 contributing structure: Westminster Park Stairs
• 46 vacant lots (3 are parking lots)
• 117 non-contributing buildings (mostly due to age or lack of integrity)
• Few public buildings: 3 schools, 2 fire stations, 1 library, 2 churches
• Only 16 buildings were originally built for commercial use

Topography and Street Layout

• The terrain rises steeply south from the former Erie Canal (now Erie Boulevard) to University Hill and the Westcott neighborhood.
• Early settlement occurred along East Fayette St, Lexington Ave, and East Genesee St, which ran parallel to the canal and were connected by north-south arteries.
• As development moved south, these arteries (Crouse, Irving, University, Walnut, Comstock, Ostrom) were extended, forming a grid.
• Westcott Street is the earliest and longest north-south route, rising steeply as it extends south.
• The district sits at a high elevation, with small hills (drumlins) causing steep ascents and declines, especially on Westmoreland Ave and Clarendon St.
• Euclid Terrace is a notable hilltop enclave; Westminster Park sits atop the highest point, accessible by a 1920s staircase.
• Most streets are straight and form a rectilinear grid, with exceptions like South Beech Street and Strong Avenue, which cut diagonally.

Development Patterns

• The district developed in multiple tracts, each with slight variations in lot size, house size, and setback, reflecting topography, period, and market affluence.
• Wealthier tracts (e.g., 400/500 blocks of Allen Street) contrast with more modest areas (e.g., 100/200 blocks of Fellows Avenue).
• Architect-designed homes are concentrated on corner lots and certain blocks (Allen Street, East Genesee Street, Clarendon Street, Ackerman and Lancaster Avenues).
• Neighborhood hubs for pedestrian and automobile traffic developed at intersections along Westcott Street and Euclid Avenue, remnants of the streetcar era.

Architectural Styles and Building Characteristics

• Earliest houses (mid-19th century): Upright-and-wing types and Italianate style, mostly on major transit routes (East Genesee St, South Beech St).
• No Greek Revival buildings due to later agricultural development.
• Italianate houses are mostly on the district edges.
• 1880s–1930s houses: Predominantly Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman styles.
• Queen Anne: L-plans, cross-gable roofs, decorative shingle patterns (coursed, staggered, diamond, sawtooth, fish scale, etc.); both large and modest examples.
• Colonial Revival: Rectangular plans, gable/gambrel roofs, wide clapboards, regular windows, classical porch details.
• Craftsman: Square/rectangular plans, mix of clapboard and shingle siding, steep roofs with wide shed dormers.
• Most houses are wood-frame with stone, concrete block, or brick foundations; some use concrete block or brick for upper stories or facing, and a few feature cobblestone details.
• Despite stylistic diversity, there is uniformity in scale, massing, and materials.

Urban Character and Community

• The district is firmly urban, with significant through-traffic from nearby suburbs to Syracuse University and downtown.
• Neighborhood hubs for commerce and traffic are located at key intersections, especially along Westcott Street and Euclid Avenue.
• The area maintains a consistent urban fabric and a strong sense of community.

Notable Quote

"The visual effect of the district houses, taken together, is one of infinite variation within defined parameters, or great diversity within the overall neighborhood uniformity of shape, scale, massing and materials."