Reconnaissance Level Survey of Historic Architectural Resources in the Village of East Aurora, New York, 2013

Wachadlo, Martin; Kowsky, Francis; East Aurora Historic Preservation Commission

From project description: "The Village of East Aurora in the Town of Aurora in Erie County, New York, is an independent rural community that is also a suburban residential address for many who find employment in Buffalo and the surrounding metropolitan area. The Village is also important in the annals of American art for the presence here in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries of the Roycroft Campus. Listed in the National Register of Historic places and also classified as a National Historic Landmark, the Roycroft campus was the most important manifestation of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States. Its leader, Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) was well known around the world for his writings on art and culture and his sponsorship of various craft enterprises that emulated the ideals of William Morris in England. The Village is also important for having been the home of Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), the thirteenth president of the United States. In 1850, Fillmore signed the historic Missouri Compromise that is credited with delaying the breakup of the Union for another decade. The house he built in 1825 and which housed his law practice now stands at 24 Shearer Avenue (where it was moved from nearby Main Street in the 1930s) and is designated a National Historic Landmark. In the 1930s, the well known Fisher- Price Toys was founded in East Aurora. Its world headquarters are now located just outside the Village boundaries in the Town of Aurora. This project seeks to identify buildings, structures, and landscapes that are historic resources in the Village of East Aurora. It also outlines the historical context of these resources. The consultants have identified approximately 580 properties that appear to retain a significant amount of remaining historic architectural integrity, and may be eligible for designation by the East Aurora Historic Preservation Commission as local landmarks; some have the potential for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. (Architectural integrity refers to how close the present building is to its historic form, appearance and materials). The cultural resource survey is the initial step toward a fuller understanding of the significance of the Village's built environment. The information and recommendations in this report should form the basis for local planning efforts, in particular, integrating historic preservation into any future plans for development and revitalization. The fact that a building is not included in the list of properties considered eligible for National Register of Historic Places or local designation does not mean that it is not a valuable neighborhood asset." Funding was provided in part by a 2012 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Village of East Aurora (project number NY-12-048) administered by the New York State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 36-12-41939) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. East Aurora, New York is a Certified Local Government.

Reconnaissance Level Survey of Historic Architectural Resources in the Village of East Aurora, New York, 2013

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