View from the Top

      This month the Staff of the Jamesburg Network is taking viewers to an uncharted part of Jamesburg - the view from the top. The Jamesburg Network has been fortunate enough to enter two structures of historical significance in Jamesburg this summer and capture a couple amazing shots from life at the top of the Ippolito and Intravartolo Houses. The views of downtown Jamesburg are amazing and never before seen. Also, prominent features of the houses were photographed. Both houses have undergone tremendous renovation projects this past year and date back to the 1850s.

      The Intravartolo House, originally built by P. H. Pownall, was built with green tinge stone in the Gothic Revival style with many steep-pitched gables and a slate roof. It is the only surviving high style stone house in the Borough. The barn in the back is currently undergoing a major renovation. The gambrel and slate roof have been removed. The barn was constructed in 1893 and at one time used for P. H. Pownall's mortuary business. The house is currently available for rent as a business/office and space for living quarters is available upstairs.

The Intravartolo House Looking North along East Railroad Avenue from the third floor.
The Intravartolo House and looking North along East Railroad Avenue from the third floor.

Views from inside the house, showing beautifully restored woodwork and ornate window decorations. Views from inside the house, showing beautifully restored woodwork and ornate window decorations.
Views from inside the house, showing beautifully restored woodwork and ornate window decorations.

Beautiful stained glass and molding at the front door.
Beautiful Victorian stained glass and molding at the front door.

A postcard view of the house at the turn of the century.
A postcard view of the house at the turn of the century.


      The Ippolito House sports characteristics of Second Empire with its concave roof at the tower. The entire structure originally had clapboard siding with one distinct feature - each floor of the tower was designed in a different pattern, something unique to the Jamesburg landscape. Unfortunately, these details have been covered up with vinyl siding, yet the memories live on in the pictures captured during the making of this article and from two postcard views of the house dating to the early 1900s. The Ippolito House update page has provided picture updates of the house as it undergoes renovations to become a dentist's office.

The Ippolito House Then The Ippolito House Then
The Ippolito House then...

The Ippolito House During Construction The Ippolito House Now
during construction, and now...

Looking at West Railroad Avenue from the third floor tower. Looking at West Railroad Avenue from the third floor tower.
Looking acroos East and West Railroad Avenues from the third floor tower.

Looking acroos East and West Railroad Avenues from the third floor tower. Looking acroos East and West Railroad Avenues from the third floor tower.
Looking acroos East and West Railroad Avenues from the third floor tower.

Brick lining in the walls of the house for insulation. A cornice.
Brick lining in the walls of the house for insulation and an ornate cornice.

Intricate molding. Third floor tower room.
Intricate moldings and the third floor tower room.

A view of PNC Bank from the second floor bay windows.
A view of PNC Bank from the second floor bay windows.

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