The duplex at 263-265 Union Street, seen around 1938-1939. Image courtesy of the Springfield Preservation Trust.
The building in 2015:
Like its neighbor in the previous post, this duplex was built in the 1870s in the Second Empire style that was popular in the United States during this period. As this area was developed in the late 1800s, many middle class professionals moved in, including Dr. S.W. Bowles, a physician who, according to the 1882 city atlas, lived in the unit to the right. The same atlas also indicates that J.H. Appleton lived on the left side; this appears to have been Julius H. Appleton, who was a railroad executive and later became president of the Springfield Institution for Savings and a member of the state Governor’s Council. Assuming this is the same J.H. Appleton listed on the map, he didn’t live here for too long, though; by the late 1880s he was living in his new mansion at 313 Maple Street.
In the 2015 view, the house is partially hidden by the tree in front, but on the exterior it still retains most of its original features, including the asymmetrical bay windows on the right side and the two-story Victorian over the front doors From this angle, the only real difference is the minor change to front steps and the addition of handrails.
In 2018 the building was further refurbished to highlight some of its original futures. The exterior stairs were changed, lighting enhanced; keeping the original front patio lights and less offensive looking handrails used to retain the views of the original facade of the house.
In early 2019, a low level wrought iron demi-fence was installed to the front of the property around the lawns.
May be worth posting the upgraded pictures.
I will try to get an updated photo in the fall when the leaves are gone
I have some pictures of the building taken last summer 2018 which may be of interest. It’s of course changed again in 2019 with the front fence added but worth having to see how it was last year to compare with this year. You can email me so I email them back to you for your archives.