Iconic Estate With Legacy of Design, Inventions, Innovation

NYACK, NY — The historic Ross-Hand Mansion located at 122 South Franklin Street in South Nyack, NY has sold for $1.72 million. An iconic estate with a legacy of design, inventions and innovations, the mansion was built in the 1850s by a famed New York City architect Azariah Ross and rebuilt in the 1880s by William H. Hand, whose grandson was a laboratory assistant to Thomas Edison.

The Gothic Revival five-bedroom, five-bathroom, 5,664-square-foot estate on four acres is rich in history.

Well-known as the designer of Central Park’s stone bridges and the stone retaining wall surrounding the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Ross purchased the land with Hudson River and village views for $5,000 in 1856 and built this celebrated estate.

William Henry Hand purchased the property in 1883 after Ross’ death for $9,000. Hand and his sons were active in numerous, high-profile construction projects throughout New England, including The Princeton Library, the Museum of the City of New York, and The Fogg Museum at Harvard, as well as mansions in New York City and Newport, R.I. Hand added the detailed woodwork throughout the home.

Hand’s grandson of the same name, who also lived in the home, was known as the last surviving laboratory assistant to inventor Thomas Edison. An inventor himself, he is known for inventing a plastic that reduced the background noise on phonographic records, as well as innovating Edison’s standard battery design to allow a 15-year life and the propulsion of a car from a stationary position to high-speeds. He lived in the home until his death in 1978.

“Like most Nyackers, I have always admired this property and the large amount of preserved history and details throughout this iconic estate.” stated Weld Realty’s Laura Weintraub. “Homes with character, history and Hudson River views along with the convenience of being part of a village is what makes living in Nyack so great.”

Donna Cox of Better Homes & Gardens Rand Realty was the property’s listing agent. Weintraub was the buyer’s agent.