The Landmark Society’s spring tour took us (and hundreds of other retirees) to Beach Avenue in Charlotte where we toured four homes on Lake Ontario, the Secret Sidewalk and Holy Cross Church. We learned Beach Avenue used to run behind the houses on the north side of the street, where the Secret Sidewalk is today. And a street car ran where the Avenue is today. When the City of Rochester annexed Charlotte in 1916 they moved Beach Avenue to where is today. Some of the homes still show signs of being oriented to the north. Of course most have been either rebuilt or added onto beyond recognition.
One of the homes, our least favorite, was brand new. Solar panels on the roof, heat pump for air conditioning, an elevator, a full bar and rec room in the basement and this painting. You are not supposed to take any photos while in the homes but I couldn’t resist sneaking one of this.
The homes on the tour were spread out so we walked along the Avenue to the destinations and then back along the sidewalk with the huge back porches, decks and outdoor living areas on one side and the the boathouses and lake patios on other. The lawns all seem to run together back there. I was picturing a croquet tournament and gin and tonics but it wasn’t even noon.
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Can we discuss that painting please? Those trees really look like trees I used to see walking on Dewberry Drive near that neighbrhood. But what is that sitting before it? An iceberg? A hunk of hash? Serious answers only please .