The John C. Anderson House

The John C. Anderson house is a striking example of Second Empire Victorian architecture, nestled between New Haven’s bustling Downtown district and the city’s pastoral retreat, East Rock Park.[1] Commissioned by John C. Anderson, heir to his father’s tobacconist fortune, the house is a time capsule of the industrialization-fueled wealth and extravagance of American Victorianism: the home is adorned with intricate stone, wood, and wrought iron detailing, as well as ornate stained glass windows and an imposing facade hiding equally grand rooms.[2] Though it is over a century old, the home remains an impressive and attention-grabbing Orange Street landmark. Today it is home to Shabtai, a Jewish secret society for Yale seniors.[3]

[1] “The John C. Anderson House (1882).” Historic Buildings of Connecticut. November 28, 2009. http://historicbuildingsct.com/?p=2265

[2] “Recent Events.” The New Haven Preservation Trust. February 3, 2018. http://nhpt.org/index.php/calendar/

[3] O’Leary, Mary. “Shabtai holds Seder in new home, former convent on Orange Street in New Haven.” New Haven Register, April 10, 2017. https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Shabtai-holds-Seder-in-new-home-former-convent-11313222.php

John C. Anderson (1882- approx. 1901), the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary’s (approx. 1901-1982), Steve Ahern (land developer) (1982-2015)[1]

[1] “The John C. Anderson House (1882).” Historic Buildings of Connecticut. November 28, 2009. http://historicbuildingsct.com/?p=2265

       Prior to the house’s construction, the site did not have a significant purpose, at least in the eyes of city mapmakers. According to maps of New Haven from 1849 and 1874, the site’s surrounding streets (Orange St, Lincoln St, Trumbull St, and Bradley St) all existed by 1874, but no buildings of significance were marked.[1]^{, [2]} Rather, the most important infrastructure in the area prior to the house’s construction was the “N.Y. & N.H. R. Road”, which roughly ran along State St, and the “N. Haven Northhampton Rail Road”, which ran perpendicular to the other and up in the direction of Canal St.[3]^{, [4]} These two railroads were first marked on an 1849 map of New Haven.[5] However, prior to the house’s construction, no highways, canals, or other forms of transportation were indicated nearby the site on these maps.[6]^{, [7]} As New Haven developed, it is likely that the site’s proximity to key transportation infrastructure, as well as New Haven’s business and academic centers, made it an appealing place for citizens to build their homes.[8]^{, [9], [10]} For this reason, the East Rock neighborhood continues to be a popular residential area to this day.

[1] “Buckingham Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1849. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[2] “Lyman/Butler Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1874. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[3] “Buckingham Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1849. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[4] “Lyman/Butler Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1874. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[5] “Buckingham Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1849. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[6] “Buckingham Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1849. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[7] “Lyman/Butler Map.” “Gathering A Building.” NH Lab. 1874. http://gatheringabuilding.yale.edu/#/routes/historical-geography

[8] “New Haven Sanborn Map 1886 Vol 1.” Sanborn Map Company. 1886. Volume 1, 16.

[9] “New Haven Sanborn Map 1901 Vol 1.” Sanborn Map Company. 1901. Volume 1, 44.

[10] “New Haven Sanborn Map 1973 Vol 2.” Sanborn Map Company. 1973. Volume 2, 212.

In the case of the John C. Anderson house, its form has informed its function: The building’s impressive style and large size (compared to neighboring buildings) has made it an ideal location for both wealthy citizens and public-facing organizations. In the late 1880s, after taxes became too high, John C. Anderson sold the house.[1] The next owner was the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary’s who ran the St. Mary’s Academy High School (1901-1980s).[2] (When I was researching this building at the New Haven Museum, I happened to meet a librarian whose daughter had attended this school. She remarked that the stained glass windows were some of the most beautiful she’d ever seen.) Whereas the original owner’s presence in the house was mainly a display of wealth, the Sisters’ ownership of the property ensured that the building served an integral part in the community as both an education center and a religious meeting place.[3]

           In 1982, St. Mary’s sold the building to Steve Ahern, a land developer, for unknown reasons.[4] Eventually, he sold it to Shabtai, a Jewish secret society for Yale seniors that prides itself on its inclusivity and intellectual breadth.[5] Founded in 1996, Shabtai (formerly known as Eliezer) purchased the building in 2015 for use as a meeting space and residence for visiting academics and lecturers.[6] Today, the building is used by the society for private and public events, and it continues to play an important (though less broad) role in the community.

[1] “The John C. Anderson House (1882).” Historic Buildings of Connecticut. November 28, 2009. http://historicbuildingsct.com/?p=2265

[2] “St. Mary’s Church.” St. Mary’s Church. http://www.stmarys-priory.com/aboutstm.htm

[3] O’Leary, Mary. “Fond memories bring back St. Mary’s High School students for reunion in New Haven.” New Haven Register, October 10, 2015. https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Fond-memories-bring-back-St-Mary-s-High-School-11348057.php

[4] O’Leary, Mary. “Fond memories bring back St. Mary’s High School students for reunion in New Haven.” New Haven Register, October 10, 2015. https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Fond-memories-bring-back-St-Mary-s-High-School-11348057.php

[5] O’Leary, Mary. “Shabtai holds Seder in new home, former convent on Orange Street in New Haven.” New Haven Register, April 10, 2017. https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Shabtai-holds-Seder-in-new-home-former-convent-11313222.php

[6] Pitluk, Adam. “Yale's Secret Society That's Hiding in Plain Sight.” Time, March 26, 2011. https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2057526,00.html

The building is located in a residential area, filled with a variety of housing that ranges from brick row homes (such as 413 Orange St) to equally ornate homes (such as 436 Orange St and 37 Trumbull St), many of which are now doctors’ offices and small businesses.[1] In turn, the building’s role in the neighborhood is that of a stylistic gem, different from many of its neighbors due to its size and stunning design. Also in the area is the New Haven Academy, a public high school. The most impactful piece of infrastructure near this site is the Trumbull St exit of I-91, which makes the Trumbull St - Orange St intersection quite noisy and congested. As a result, although well-cared-for buildings surround the home, the traffic density detracts from the comfortable neighborhood feel that defines much of the East Rock district.

[1] “436 Orange St.” Vision Government Solutions: New Haven, CT Online Assessment Database. 2016. http://gis.vgsi.com/newhavenct/Parcel.aspx?Pid=13001