The story of the residence of 142 York Street becomes more interesting when we focus on its surroundings. In fact, 142 York Street has not changed much at all since its creation, but rather has been able to adapt to the changing landscape of its neighbors. Both 142 and 146 are very similar Row houses built in the mid-nineteenth century. The exact construction date is unknown, however there is photographic evidence of their existence as of 1868. The building has a brick façade with brownstone steps, and rests three and one half stories tall. The window sills are modestly molded out of stone, and the entrance sits on a stoop of medium height with fairly bare ornamentation on the small door hood. The building may be typed as a Greek Revival Row house because of such features.



The inhabitants of 142 York have shifted throughout the years. The earliest recorded being a Mr. William Crowley in 1913, who worked as a rail road inspector. The building seems to have a history that always houses more than one occupant. My guess is that it started as a two-unit house. Although the inhabitants of 142 York Street seem to frequently change, its sister of 146 York remains owned by Yale throughout most of its history. The first consistent owner that 142 York Street sees is the family of John and Elizabeth McMahon in 1924, eventually widowed in 1935, Mrs. McMahon stays in the house until around 1945. Around this time the surrounding buildings included a Bakery across the street, S.S. Thompson & Co. Bakery. The Bakery begins in 1886, and consistently expands through the 20th century until it is eventually occupied by the Yale Press. Also in the early 1900s, the Yale Medical School was right next to 146 York Street. This obviously also gave 142 more of a campus and almost progressive feel to it. As a matter of fact, in 1901 Yale Medical School was the only building on the block that had “heat, steam, light, and gas”.



In around 1960 the use of the building changes for the first time. As well as having residents, a “Lou’s Delicatessen” moves in. Lou’s is the first time this building incorporates a commercial component. Around this same time, the Yale Medical School is replaced with the York Street parking garage. All of these changes happen alongside the construction of the Oak Street Connector, modern day Route 34.



By 1974, Shanghai Village replaces Lou’s Delicatessen. Currently, 142 York has a cement protrusion that allows for a separate commercial entrance. This construction could have possibly happened when Shanghai Village took ownership. This frontal protrusion is the only evidence of exterior construction there has been since its original construction. Today, 142 York sill stands. The old Shanghai Village has since switched ownership, but is still a Chinese restaurant called Hunan Wok. The rest of the building is remains residential. It is owned by Elm City Partners; an off-campus real estate company affiliated with Yale, and has six units in the building. As you can see from the picture below, it remains as our only portal to a much different York Street.