Two more by Mr. Waters

There were two houses that I’d always suspected of being the work of William Waters but lacked proof of his authorship of the plans.  I was recently informed that other scholars had determined the two structures to have come from his drawing table, confirming my long-held suspicions. 

 The first of these houses was on the south side of Algoma Street just west the Trinity Episcopal Church and was probably built in 1898 for Dr. J.T. Ozanna.  The lot at #81 Algoma had long been occupied by a structure but the Sanborn maps from 1890 and 1903 show a change in what buildings were there. The city directories indicate that A.F. Plumer lived at that address until 1895 and in 1898 lists Dr. Ozanna as dwelling at #81 Algoma Boulevard.

The house was interesting as it showed elements of the American Four-Square Style which would become the predominate house style of the early twentieth century.  Some feature that marked it as such were the hip roof and central dormer.  The house was demolished so that the church next door could expand.

 The next house I’d suspected as the work of Mr. Waters was that of W. W. Waterhouse, a large house on the corner of East Irving Avenue and Boyd Street.  Mr. Waterhouse was an attorney who dealt in real estate.  It is hard to say with certitude what year the house was built, although I believe it was around 1890.  As with many large houses the Waterhouse place did not remain a single-family dwelling but was converted to multifamily use, a move which brought about a deterioration in the property.  The porch which once covered the front and a side was removed and different siding applied which detracted from the homes charm and beauty.