Historic Name

Downing-Galbraith House

Address

259 W 6 Street

Municipality

City of Erie

Tax Parcel

17040007020800

Historic District

West 6th Street HD

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

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Historic Function

Domestic - single dwelling

Style

Queen Anne

Built

1880

Architect

Green and Wicks

Builder

Green and Wicks

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

7/24/2016

The Downing-Galbraith House was built in 1892 on the site of the old West Ward School. As Erie was not yet a city, the Borough of Erie divided the town into two wards: the East and West. In 1848, the East Ward and West Ward Schools were built, both large brick structures that employed five teachers each. The West Ward School was built on this site, while the East Ward School was built at 7th and Holland Streets. Both wards erected other schools at various locations in Erie as the population grew, especially after Erie was incorporated as a city in 1851. The West Ward School at this site was demolished in 1890 when Judge William Galbraith purchased the lot for $5,000.

Judge Galbraith was a lawyer and President Judge in Erie. His son, Davenport Galbraith, a Yale University and University of Pennsylvania graduate, as well as a lawyer and the Vice President of the Erie Trust Company, received this land from his father. Davenport Galbraith’s father-in-law, Judge J.F. Downing, commissioned the construction of a Richardsonian Romanesque mansion on this lot in 1890. The structure was complete in 1892, designed by prominent Buffalo firm, Green & Wicks, and constructed by local company Constable Brothers Building Firm. The property was adjacent to Judge Downing’s home, which is currently the site of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. The 18-room, 4- story home features ornate ceilings, wooden window seats, hand-carved bookcases, marble floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, and opulent interior woodwork.

After Davenport Galbraith’s death in 1914, his wife, Winifred Downing Galbraith, remained in the home until 1921 when the Woman’s Club of Erie purchased the property. Mrs. Galbraith was a member of the club at the time of purchase. In 2016, the Woman’s Club still owns the property, and has renovated the interior of the home; however, the exterior remains predominately undisturbed.

Sources: Northwest Institute of Research, Historic Survey 1982; Frew, David, et al. Journey Through Time: Erie’s Best Downtown Walking Guide. Erie, PA: Erie County Historical Society, 2006.; Miller, John. A Twentieth Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909.

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Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office