Published: October 08, 2007 11:47 am      

REMEMBERING YESTERYEAR: 209 Niagara St. was built in 1920s for lumber magnate Ray H. Bennett

The magnificent mansion at 209 Niagara St. was built in the 1920s for Ray H. Bennett, owner of Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. and Bennett Redi-Bilt Homes, and his wife, Ethel Stanley.

Bennett began his lumber business at Main and Island streets as Hoadley & Bennett in 1902, eventually spreading to 190 Oliver St., the former W. G. Palmer Lumber Co. facilities. The Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. also sold mail-order or kit homes, Bennett Redi-Bilt Homes. Bennett homes built in the first half of the 1900s are all over North Tonawanda and Western New York, as well as other parts of the country. Many more were built with lumber from this company. The business operated through 1975.

The Bennett kit homes were representative of vernacular architecture indicates a traditional type of housing utilized by ordinary wage earners. Vernacular houses are of wood construction and occupy a family-centered location, as far as possible away from the place of employment. Industrial vernacular refers to the structural innovations, such as balloon framing, produced at the manufacturing site with structural cladding and finished materials into component parts, which were then assembled according to a standard design on the building sites.

The industrial vernacular double house was a common feature in architectural pattern books at the turn of the 20th century. It was available from all major catalog home manufacturers, including the Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. The double house made the owner a property owner, but the second flat’s rental income could be applied toward the mortgage payments. This layout permitted several generations of a family to live near each other, providing privacy for each. Since they were owner-occupied homes, the arrangements also made it possible for the owners to be more selective about their tenants. Often, family members bought doubles together in order to accrue equity for a future additional purchase. Double housing was a step up from inadequate and tenement housing occupied by older immigrant groups in urban centers.

The fine mansion Ray Bennett constructed for his own residence stands in marked contrast with the homes his business created, which made home ownership affordable for the masses. The Bennetts are believed to have lived at 209 Niagara-only until 1932, retiring to a small home built from the Bennett series of catalog homes at 424 Bennett St.

More than 90 different designs were created in Bennett’s Redi-Bilt line. Bennett sold his kit homes by mail and through local sales operations. Bennett Homes were pre-cut in North Tonawanda and shipped with all the necessary materials except foundation, plumbing, heating, and electrical work. They were purchased by individual homeowners, contractors, and developers. They are found all over Western New York and owners of Bennett homes have contacted the museum from as far away as New England and Long Island — all still very pleased with and proud of their homes. In the 1940s, Paul Burke’s Pioneer Builders constructed many local Bennett Homes.

More than 3 million feet of lumber and a large frame storage shed were destroyed in a June 28, 1927, fire at the Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. plant along the waterfront and on Island Street near the Tonawanda Island swing bridge. Ray Bennett estimated the loss at between $50,000 and $200,000. The fire, the stock market crash, other business and personal factors are believed to have limited the Bennett family’s length of occupancy of this fine home.

By 1932, the company was known as Bennett-Bison Lumber, with Bennett’s residence still here at 209 Niagara St. F. R. Roginson was president from 1932 through 1946. In later years, Bennett Lumber was owned by others. The company closed in 1975.

This home was a participating home in the 2007 Historic Treasures Tour. Architectural and historical description by Mark Behringer, SUNYAB School of Architecture & Planning.

“Remembering Yesteryear” is produced under the auspices of the North Tonawanda History Museum. We invite individuals with stories or news of local history to tell to write nthistorymuseum@aol.com or call 213-0554.