Dean Alvord

Dean Alvord (December 4, 1856 – April 18, 1941) was an American real estate developer, college professor, and philanthropist known for his real estate developments in the New York City Metropolitan Area and in Florida. He was a relative of both Jonathan Edwards and Aaron Burr.

Dean Albert Alvord
BornDecember 4, 1856
Syracuse, New York
DiedApril 18, 1941 (aged 84)
Tampa Hospital, Tampa, Florida
NationalityAmerican
EducationSyracuse University (graduated 1882)
Occupation(s)Real estate developer, professor, philanthropist
SpouseNellie Barnum
Children4
RelativesJonathan Edwards (maternal ancestor)

Life and career

Dean Alvord was born in Syracuse, New York, on December 4, 1856.[1][2][3] He graduated from Syracuse University in 1882.[2] He was a member of Syracuse University's Phi Gamma chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.[4]

Alvord eventually moved to Brooklyn in New York City in order to continue pursuing his career in real estate and development after initially starting his career in Rochester, New York, where he developed a successful neighborhood.[2][3][5]

Around 1899, Alvord would purchase roughly 60 acres (24 ha) of farmland in Brooklyn and would soon develop it into a neighborhood called Prospect Park South.[6][7][8] He chose the location in part to take advantage of the area's public transportation.[9] Soon afterwards, Alvord developed the Laurelton section of Queens.[8][10]

In the first decade of the 20th century, Alvord began developing the famed community of Belle Terre in Port Jefferson, New York, ca. 1902–1903.[3][11][12]

In 1905, Alvord purchased and developed a large area in Shinnecock Hills on the eastern end of Long Island.[2][13] Following (and as a result of) this purchase, Alvord became the owner of roughly 10% of Long Island's shoreline.[2][13]

Around 1908, Alvord began developing another well-known community, Roslyn Estates, New York, which was developed with winding roads and ponds.[1][14][15][16][17][18][19]

Black Ink Pond in Roslyn Estates, New York – one of Alvord's best-known developments.

Alvord's development corporation went into receivership around 1913.[20][21]

Alvord moved to Clearwater, Florida, in 1913.[1][2] He moved there intending to retire, but ultimately continued working as a developer; Alvord continued working as a developer until his death.[1] It was during this time when he developed the Harbor Oaks subdivision of Clearwater, which he opened around 1914.[1][2] The Harbor Oaks subdivision is now a historic district known as the Harbor Oaks Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[22]

A sign in Harbor Oaks explaining the neighborhood's history.

Alvord was also one of the Long Island Motor Parkway's originators.[1][23][24]

Additionally, Alvord briefly taught at Syracuse University, where he had previously attended college, and also served as the General Secretary of the Rochester YMCA.[2][5]

Development style

Alvord, who was active in – and an advocate for – civic improvement and the beautification of streets, was known for making his developments with "park-like atmospheres."[2] He was known for having architects design the homes in his communities to be of various architectural styles, and required that the dwellings built within his communities have setbacks in order to ensure that they all had large front lawns.[2]

Death

Alvord died on April 18, 1941, at the age of 84 at Tampa Hospital in Tampa, Florida – although some sources state that his death took place in 1937.[1][2]

Personal life

Alvord was married to Nellie Barnum, who was a descendant of Alexander Hamilton.[1] Alvord himself was a direct descendant of Johnathan Edwards (and was therefore also a distant relative to Aaron Burr) on his mother's side.[5]

Alvord had two sons and two daughters.[1] He also had a sister, Emily Feigel.[1]

Notable developments

References
  1. "DEAN ALVORD, BACKER OF REALTY PROJECTS; Operator in Metropolitan Area 25 Years Ago Dies in Florida". The New York Times. 1941-04-19. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  2. "AAFA Bio - Dean Albert Alvord". www.alfordassociation.org. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  3. "DEAN ALVORD AND THE GLORIOUS YEARS – The Village of Belle Terre". Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  4. Epsilon, Delta Kappa (1900). Catalogue of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity ... Council publishing Company.
  5. "Putting a Fortune in Sound Shore Bluffs". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1907-07-13. p. 19. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  6. New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; Dolkart, Andrew S.; Postal, Matthew A. (2009). Postal, Matthew A. (ed.). Guide to New York City Landmarks (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 263–64. ISBN 978-0-470-28963-1.
  7. Gupte, Pranay (1978-05-07). "A Bit of Suburbia in Flatbush". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  8. Gray, Christopher (1997-03-23). "Delicately Oriental, but 'Practical'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  9. Gunnison, pp.21-23
  10. "IN THE REAL ESTATE FIELD; Prominent Corner on Upper Broadway Bought for Improvement -- Sale on Park Place -- New Owners for Large Holdings in Bronx". The New York Times. 1905-10-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  11. "BEAUTIFYING VAST PARK OVERLOOKING THE SOUND; Unique Project Undertaken by Dean Alvord at Belle Terre Practically Completed -- Transformation of 1,300-Acre Tract". The New York Times. 1908-05-31. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  12. "LONG ISLAND LOTS IN STEADY DEMAND: Spring Season Has Opened Auspiciously for Home Sites in Well-Located Districts. NORTH SHORE COMMUNITIES All the Territory from Flushing to Great Neck and Roslyn Showing Substantial Improvements". The New York Times. April 30, 1911 – via ProQuest.
  13. "IN THE REAL ESTATE FIELD". The New York Times. October 29, 1905 – via ProQuest.
  14. Winsche, Richard (October 1, 1999). The History of Nassau County Community Place-Names. Interlaken, New York: Empire State Books. p. 88. ISBN 978-1557871541.
  15. "DEMAND AT ROSLYN ESTATES.; Many Buyers for Sites in Long Island's New Residential Park. L. !. City Properties at Auction New Development Near Plainfield". The New York Times. 1908-06-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  16. "CONCRETE HOUSES AT ROSLYN; New Homes on Large Tract In the Wheatley Hills Section". The New York Times. 1909-06-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  17. "Big Building for L.I. City's Industries; New Structure Covering Sixteen City Lots Now Nearing Completion on Borden Avenue -- Believed to be Forerunner of Many Similar Operations". The New York Times. 1908-10-11. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  18. "Display Ad 22 -- No Title". The New York Times. December 5, 1909 – via ProQuest.
  19. "MUSEUM FOR BUILDERS.; Suggests Exhibit to Show Home Building Methods from Early Times". The New York Times. 1910-03-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  20. "CITY AND COUNTRY PROPERTIES -- APARTMENTS TO LET: BELLE TERRE REORGANIZED. Dean Alvord Will Be Member of New Directorate". The New York Times. July 20, 1913 – via ProQuest.
  21. "ALVORD COMPANIES PASS TO RECEIVER: Bonded Indebtedness $3,000,000, Unsecured, for Realty Developments on Long Island. DEAN ALVORD OUT OF THEM Belle Terre, Roslyn, Alvord Securities, Suburban Construction, and Alvord Companies Involved". The New York Times. January 11, 1913 – via ProQuest.
  22. "Harbor Oaks Historic District - Clearwater, FL - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  23. "MAY AMEND STATE LAW FOR MOTOR SPEEDWAY; Committee Outlines Plan of Bill for Corporate Rights. COL. ASTOR A DIRECTOR Big Plot of Land for Western Loop Offered for Highway -- Manufacturers Give Aid". The New York Times. 1906-11-03. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  24. "60-MILE AUTO ROAD TO COST $2,000,000; Vanderbilt Race Projectors to Build It on Long Island. NO MORE RACING DANGERS Speedway to be for All Who Pay Toll -- Will Have Inns and Garages Along the Route". The New York Times. 1906-10-21. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
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