THE TURRETS - BAR HARBOR'S FORGOTTEN CASTLE

THE  TURRETS

Bar Harbor Record
November 6, 1895

BAR HARBOR HOME OF MR. J.J. EMERY OF NEW YORK, DESCRIBED BY PEN AND PICTURE - REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE MEN WHO BUILT IT

The above cut represents "The Turrets," the magnificent summer home of Mr. J.J. Emery, of New York, situated on the bay shore, about a mile from the village center of Bar Harbor, and commanding a sightly view of Frenchman's Bay.  The Turrets is undoubtedly one of the finest summer homes in New England, and its artistic pile of granite is unique in architecture.  It is fashioned after the Chateau de Blois in France, unmodernized meet the requirements of an American home.
The dimensions of the Turrets are Main building 50 by 100, wing and porte cochere 20 by 30.  The granite in the building is from Eagle Lake, and 1700 porch of stone, outside of the dimension stone, were used.  Running around the Bay side of the house is a broad veranda 100 feet in length, with a third floor and massive stair railing.
Entrance to this elegant summer place is through a massive porte cochere, within the doors of which stands an elephant of Pyrrbian marble, which was for nearly three entries at the front of the palace of the king of Agra, in India.

THE TURRETS - BAR HARBOR, MAINE

The main hall leads thence through the house to the bay-side, where a magnificent ocean and mountain view is obtained.  The hall is 25 by 50 feet, and is ornamented with Venetian carved work in black walnut, the walls being flushed in costly Delft work.  The ceilings are of heavy paneled walnut, while scattered about the rooms are costly pieces of bric-a-brac, and quaiot bits of Italian furniture, among which are many pieces of historic interest picked up by Mr. Emery on his European travels.
The reception room to the right is 18 by 22 and its ensemble is of the Louis XIV period.  Ceilings and side walls are of white enamel and cherry, the furniture of white and gold, the whole being beautifully set off by a fire place of Italian Marble.
The library near by is 17 by 25, and is the den of the owner.  Adjacent is the music room, 22 by 25, flushed in cream enamel with old silk panels, the porters being of the same material, with beautiful floral designs worked in.
The dining room, 22 by 25, is finished in dark oak and leather.  The walls are wainscoted to the height of 9 feet and are carved in artistic designs.  Side boards of great value and beauty and marble fireplaces set off the room.
A feature of the mansion is the grand stairway leading from the main hall.  A out of this magnificent piece of work is also shown in this article.  The builders of the stairway were the well known firm of David P. Page of Boston, which also did the wonderful cabinet work throughout the house.
The second story of the house is occupied by the sleeping, bath and guest rooms of Mr. and Mrs. Emery.  Mrs. Emery's rooms are on the sea-side of the house, and consist of a boudoir, 18 by 16, sleeping room, 20 by 25, and an elegantly appointed bathroom.
Mr. Emery's apartments are a sleeping  room, 18 by 20, dressing room 10 by 12, situated in a tower, and a bathing room of oriental magnificence.
The guest rooms are all tower rooms.  On this floor the hangings, draperies and rugs are from Bokora.
The third floor contains a billiard room, sleeping rooms and spare rooms.  The servants are quartered in an annex and the kitchen is also located there.  The forth floor contains rooms suitable for any purpose.  A basement 12 feet high extends under the entire house, and here will be built a bowling alley.  All the partitions from basement to attic are of brick, 12 inches thick, and the house is fire-proof throughout.
The stable, which is also of granite, is one of the finest in Maine.  It is 62 by 90 with a coach house 40 by 40 and contains all the modern facilities of a well equipped stable.
The grounds about "The Turrets"  are worthy productions of the landscape artists skill, and the space is cleverly arranged to give an effect of distance.
On the whole, "The Turrets" is an ordainment to Bar Harbor and a credit to both the owner and to the men whose genius entered into its construction.

THE TURRETS - BAR HARBOR MAINE

John E. Clark
Although the design of  "The Turrets" is from the brain of Mr. Bruce Price, the New York Architect, the credit of carrying out the plans rests upon John E. Clark, the well known architect and contractor of Bar Harbor, whose handiwork is displayed upon many of the most costly and artistic residences on Mount Desert Island.  From the excavation of the stone ledge upon which the foundation rests, to the top of the chimney's, interior ally and exterior ally, "The Torrets" grew under the trained eye of Mr. Clark.  The responsibility of carrying out the designer's plans devolved upon him and how well he fulfilled the trust is attested by the building itself.  Mr. Clark selected native granite from the vicinity of Eagle Lake for the exterior material, and a more artistic appearing residence is not to be found in the Pine Tree State.  The floor timbers are of steel and concrete floors 1 3/4 inches in thickness deaden the sound.  The house is as  nearly fire-proof as experience and modern science can make it.  The roof is unique in a covering of cypress shingles, 22 inches long, especially designed.  All flushing are of copper and the flat roofs are covered with the same metal.  The windows throughout are of first quality French plate and the exterior finish is of chestnut.  To Mr. Clark also was left the selection of the materials of the interior construction of the summer place, and the result is described elsewhere in this article,  so it would be superfluous to enter again into details.  In the construction of the main hall, the designing of the beautiful rooms opening from it, and in the general effect, the artistic hand and eye of Mr. Clark is everywhere visible.  To Mr. Clarks care was given the selection of what was best and proper to enter into the whole construction and under his eye the various firms concerned planned and produced, the result being that, "The Turrets" remains as a memorial of his art and labor.
Mr. Clark drew the plans of the unique granite stable adjoining "The Turrets" which is without doubt the most complete private stable in Maine.  The stable is 61 by 90 and on the second and third floors are nine elegantly finished living rooms.  The stalls are ten in number and the floors are fitted with hinges of the latest device for sanitary measures.  Mr. Emery also reeled upon Mr. Clark's judgment concerning the grading and plan of the beautiful surrounding grounds and it may be said that from the gateway of "The Turrets" grounds until you go from basement to the plussed turrets on "The Turrets" itself, the art, skill and genius of John E, Clark is before you.

Sides of hand carved stairway

David P. Page
The firm of David P.  Page, whose place of business is at 507-509 Medford Street, Charlestown District, Boston, was selected by Mr. Emery' to do the cabinet work throughout "The Turrets" on account of their high position among the first firms in that business in New England, and their reputation could easily rest upon their work in "The Torrets".  The firm of David P. Page has been before the public for forty years and their work is evident in the finest homes in the country.  The "Marble House"  of W.K. Vanderbilt, at Newport, is one of the recent summer palaces finished interior ally by the firm, while the house of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Goelets, Mr. Burden and Mr. Pierpont Morgan at Newport attest the art  and skill of their handiwork, besides numerous others throughout the country.
The cabinet work in "The Turrets" is without doubt the most elaborate to be found in any residence on Mount Desert Island - the home of costly and beautiful homes.  The artist skill of this firm is best displayed in the grand staircase leading from the main hall and of which a picture is here presented.  Photographic art conceals its great beauty.  The staircase is of black walnut, beautifully carved and fluted.  Massive columns extend from the floor to the ceiling, the whole surrounded by a Corinthian cap.  The balustrade is of beautiful design.  The ceilings of the main hall are marvels of beauty in heavy panels of carved wood, with artistic stucco work between.  The entire first floor was given in charge of this firm whose wonderful art is displayed to excellent advantage in the main hall, music room, reception room and library on the first floor.
The reception room to the right of the hall is finished in delicate tones, the walls being adorned with beautiful water colors and the floors of highly polished wood, almost reflect the image of passing guest.  The library is finished in Mahogany and the carving on the book cases are gems of art.  In the music room the walls are paneled in delicately tinted silk, and the same effects are carried out in the ceiling, the whole presenting a most beautiful effect.  The firm of David P. Page could rest their reputation on their work in the dining room alone, for here is the consummation of their artistic skill.  The walls are wainscoted to the height of nine feet and the massive carvings are beautiful in design and finish.  The Venetian carving about the room blends artistically with the more modern designs of the Page company, and the guest is struck with the richness of the whole.  The walls about the wainscoting are of richly colored leather, and the ceiling of heavy polished walnut,  On the whole, the interior work in "The Turrets" is a marvel of art and beauty and reflect great credit upon the artist employed by David P. Page, and establishes an enviable reputation for the firm on Mount Desert Island, where "The Turrets" will long be pointed out as one of the finest houses in New England.

Leighton, Davenport & Co.
The plumbing of this summer palace was done by the well known firm of Leighton, Davenport & Co. of Bangor, whose branch office is at Bar Harbor.  this firm is one of the oldest and most reliable in New England, and their handiwork is scattered all over the state.  As an example of modern sanitary plumbing the work in "The turrets" stands un-excelled in Maine, the skill experience and progress of half a century being evident everywhere.  On the basement floor is the kitchen, toilet rooms, butler's pantry, laundry, and wash rooms which are all fitted with the latest appliances.  The kitchen floor is of slate and the walls of marble to the ceiling.  An eight gallon copper boiler, resting against a marble wall, supplies hot and cold water for the kitchen service, and the laundry is furnished from a 50 gallon galvanized iron boiler.  In the kitchen this firm also fitted a silver sink for washing dishes.  throughout the floor most perfect sanitary arrangements exist.  The second floor of the house is where the gems of modern plumbing are displayed, for here are the bath rooms of Mr. and Mrs. Emery, both models of beauty and elegance, and unsurpassed in Maine for magnificence and utility. The floors are tiled and the side walls  are marble.  In Mr. Emery's bath room is a porcelain tub with hot and cold water arrangements of latest pattern, while in one corner stands a shower bath enclosed in a marble stall with semi-circular rows of perforated  nickel pipes surmounted by a spray, and arranged with mixing pipes of hot and cold water.  Connecting is a toilet room with tiled floor and marble walls.  The bath room of Mrs. emery is much larger than Mr. emery's and the same general effects are carried out, porcelain tub, marble slabs and basin, with the addition of a Spitz bath which is an elaborate affair.  A general bath room is off the hallway with porcelain tub, usual slab and basin and tiled floor and marble walls.  The third floor is fitted with a servant's bath room containing an enamel iron tub, a connecting closet and the general things of both are marble.  A housemaids sink, a counterpart of  the one on the second floor, is also up this floor.  Throughout the house, every particle  of pipe visible is of nickel.  A guests bath room is on the forth floor and has the same excellent arrangements as the others.
A word about the water supply planned for the house.  Instead of the regular water pressure from the street, a 1000 gallon tank, copper, lined, is located in the attic and is fed from the street, thus giving a steadier and better pressure throughout the house and saving the mechanism of the plumbing.  At the end of each hall is a two inch fire pump fitted with hose a nozzle through which a stream from a two inch pipe leading from the street can be thrown.  A one inch pipe supplies the other wants of the house.  The entire work was done under the direction of Mr. F.T. Young, foreman for the firm of Leighton, Davenport & Co. for many years  and he and his firm can well be proud of the job.  Mr. emery himself congratulated the firm on the thoroughness  of the fulfillment of the contract, and for many years this piece of perfect plumbing will be viewed and inspected by those desiring to build as a model of excellent and elegance.

Lawford & Wakefield
Lawford & Wakefield, the well known painters and decorators of Bar Harbor, put the finishing touches on "The Turrets."  They had entire charge of the painting, decorating and paper hanging throughout, and their work speaks for itself in  the artistically finished interior.  The artist did the beautiful enamel work in the music room, the decorative work on the ceilings and side walls, the beautiful leather  setting in the dining room, and in fact finished the cabinet work of the magnificent rooms besides touching up the Venetian carving throughout.
The floors in the house are marvels of their art and the harmonious blending of colors i9n the rooms shows them to be artists of consummate skill.  Lawford & Wakefield can well be proud of their work in "The Turrets" for it is one of the most artistic specimens of the painters and decorators art to be found in the State of Maine.

Green and Reynolds
Green and Reynolds, the well known firm of Bar Harbor, was selected to furnish the heating apparatus and to do the metal roofing of "The Turrets and their work from basement to roof is a model of neatness, thoughtfulness and modernity.  In the basement are the two furnaces which supply hot air for the entire house, which radiates through nearly thirty pipes.  The hot air method employed is the newest and most efficacious and the heat is evenly distributed throughout the building.  The copper roofing was also laid by Green and Reynolds.  It only needs a glance of the eye of the expert to see that the work of the firm throughout is perfect in detail, and a model of excellency.

Bar Harbor Electric Light co.
After everything was completed Mr. emery said, "Let there be light," and the Bar Harbor Electric Light company was consulted, and when superintendent Luther Leach's men laid down tools at the completion of the contract and the current was turned on from the power plant, lo, a flood of light lit up "The Torrets" from cellar to garret, displaying the beauties of the place from a hundred and fifty incandescent lamps.  the house is wired throughout with brass armored conduits of the latest Manufacture.  The broad piazzas, porte cochere and in fact the entire house and stable is dotted with incandescents and at night when "The Turrets" is illuminated, it shines from harbor like an oriental palace.  The insurance inspector who examined the wiring of the house after its completion said that it was unsurpassed in Maine.


VIDEO COVERING THE HISTORY OF THE TURRETS


NOTE;
I tried to copy this as it was written but a few of the words were hard to make out.  The Turrets is located on the grounds of the College of the Atlantic and sets further back toward the ocean.  If you have never seen it up close, it is an amazing building.  The bowling alley was never built even though it was in the plans.  The granite used to built The Turrets was taken from a quarry by Eagle Lake.  The owner of The Turrets had it built for his young bride as a wedding gift, and from 1895 to 1908 they spent their summers there.  They had children but I have not been able to find out how many they had.  Over the years the property passed from one owner to another and the building fell into very poor condition, but since it has been in the hands of the College of the Atlantic they have continued to make improvements to the property and building.

Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Emery also appear in this article - CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL 


Bar Harbor Record
March 30, 1910

AN ITALIAN GARDEN FOR "THE TURRETS".


Another addittion to the list of handsome Italian gardens in town is to be made this spring and summer at "The Turrets".  Mrs. J.J. Emery's estate.  Contractor C.H. Norris is now at work on the pillars of the garden, which are copied from a garden in  Italy, visited by Mrs. emery a year or two ago.  Several of the estates here, including the Kennedy, Blair, and Sears places, have Italian gardens which are among the handsomest spots here, and the one at The Turrets promises when carried out, according to plans, to be equal in quarlity to the best of them.  It will be a handsome addition to what is already one of the show places in Bar Harbor.




ADDITIONS TO THE TURRET

Bar Harbor Record
December 9, 1903


The Torrets, the palatial summer home of J.J. Emery, is in the hands of a crew of John E. Clark's men for renovation.  The roof of the servant's wind is being raised and another story will be added containing three large rooms and a bath.  This cottage, built some eight years ago, contains some very fine workmanship.  The finish of the first floor is all of mahogany and black walnut with much beautiful carving and inlaid work.  The stairway is a feature of the house, its columns a foot square, beautifully carved, and the balustrade of fretwork hand carved on either side.

JOHN  J.  EMERY  DIES

The Bar Harbor Record
September 9, 1908

John J. Emery of New York, one of the best known and most prominent members of the summer colony at this resort, died at The Torrets, his Bar Harbor villa, at 9;45 o'clock Saturday morning, after an extended illness.  Mr. Emery leaves a widow and five children, three girls and two boys, who will have the profound sympathy of the community in their bereavement.
Mr. Emery has been in very feeble health all summer, suffering from a very severe attack of the gout.  This was followed by pleurisy and friends and relatives realized that his condition was very critical.  Pneumonia had set in and although the crisis seemed to have been passed a few days ago the patient was left in so (unreadable) a condition that great danger remained.  Mr. Emery gained slightly but had a set back Friday evening, and in spite of the most skilled medical treatment sank rapidly until the end came Saturday forenoon.
Mr. Emery had been a regular summer visitor here for several years.  He boarded at the Rodick house 25 years ago and in 1895 after his marriage, built the Torrets, which is recognized as one of the most charming and pretentious of Bar Harbor villas.  November 2, 1892, Mr. Emery married Miss Lela Alexander, daughter of General C.T. Alexander, U.S.A. ore of the leading beauties of Bar Harbor society.  Mr. and Mrs. Emery have been closely identified with the social life of Bar Harbor and the Torrets has been the scene of many charming social functions, Mrs. Emery being a delightful hostess.
Mr. Emery was one of the wealthy members of the summer colony and was reputed to be worth about $40,000,000.  His parents were English people and settled in Cinelnuati, where he was born about 75 years ago.  Mr. Emery Sr., accumulated a large amount of property for those days and the share of John J. Emery and his brother, Thomas, was increased many times over by their excellent business sagacity.
For many years the emery's devoted their energies chiefly to improving Cinaiannati real estate, but in later years they invested largely in real estate in other western cities and in other lines of business.  Mr. Emery moved to New York shortly after his marriage.  He was possessed of a splendid business judgment adled investigation and wonderful application.  Since the recent death of his brother, Thomas, Mr. Emery has taken charge of the vast estate for the widow.  Mr. Emery is said to have 2,000 houses and buildings in Cincinnati alone.  He was keenly interested in Bar Harbor and took an active part in village improvement, especially in the Kebo Valley Club and other local institutions.
There will be no funeral services here.  The remains will be taken to Cincinnati.


John Josiah Emery
BIRTH 1835
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA
DEATH 5 Sep 1908 (aged 72–73)
Bar Harbor, Hancock County, Maine, USA
BURIAL
Spring Grove Cemetery
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio,

Lela Amelia Alexander Anson
(She remarried)
BIRTH 21 Nov 1867
Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA
DEATH 14 Jul 1953 (aged 85)
Bar Harbor, Hancock County, Maine, USA
BURIAL
Memorial Cemetery of Saint John's Church
Laurel Hollow, Nassau County, New York,
her 2nd marriage;
Alfred Anson
BIRTH 15 Apr 1876
Marylebone, City of Westminster, Greater London, England
DEATH 24 Mar 1944 (aged 67)
Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
BURIAL
Memorial Cemetery of Saint John's Church
Laurel Hollow, Nassau County, New York


THEIR CHILDREN;

1.
Lela Emery de Talleyrand-Perigord
BIRTH 1 Jul 1901
Bar Harbor, Hancock County, Maine, USA
DEATH 29 Dec 1962 (aged 61)
Rome, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy
BURIAL
Campo Cestio
Rome, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy
married
Heli de Talleyrand-Perigord
BIRTH 20 Jan 1882
Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy
DEATH 20 Mar 1968 (aged 86)
Rome, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy
BURIAL
Campo Cestio
Rome, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy


2.
John Josiah Emery
BIRTH 28 Jan 1898
Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
DEATH 24 Sep 1976 (aged 78)
Indian Hill, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA
BURIAL
Indian Hill Episcopal Presbyterian Churchyard
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
wife 1;
Irene Langhorne Gibson Emery
BIRTH 3 Feb 1897
DEATH 30 Jun 1973 (aged 76)
BURIAL
Indian Hill Episcopal Presbyterian Churchyard
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
wife 2;
Adele Sloane Hammond Emery
BIRTH 26 Sep 1902
Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
DEATH 6 Nov 1998 (aged 96)
Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, USA
BURIAL
Green-Wood Cemetery
Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York

3.
Alexandra Emery 
BIRTH 6 Jan 1894
Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
DEATH 20 Apr 1983 (aged 89)
Syosset, Nassau County, New York, USA
BURIAL
Memorial Cemetery of Saint John's Church
Laurel Hollow, Nassau County, New York
married;
1.
Benjamin Moore
BIRTH 25 Mar 1886
Ossining, Westchester County, New York, USA
DEATH 14 May 1938 (aged 52)
Syosset, Nassau County, New York, USA
BURIAL
Memorial Cemetery of Saint John's Church
Laurel Hollow, Nassau County, New York
2.
Robert Gordon McKay
BIRTH 3 May 1877
Frankfort, Waldo County, Maine, USA
DEATH 26 Nov 1958 (aged 81)
Syosset, Nassau County, New York, USA
BURIAL
Saint Philip's Church Cemetery
Garrison, Putnam County, New York


4.
Audrey Emery
BIRTH 4 Jan 1904
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA
DEATH 25 Nov 1971 (aged 67)
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA
BURIAL
Spring Grove Cemetery
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
married;
1.
Dimitri Djordjadze
BIRTH 26 Oct 1898
Russia
DEATH 26 Oct 1985 (aged 87)
Nice, Departement des Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
BURIAL
Cimetiere du Vieux Chateau
Menton, Departement des Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
2.
Dmitri Pavlovitch Romanov
BIRTH 18 Sep 1891
Moscow, Moscow Federal City, Russia
DEATH 5 Mar 1942 (aged 50)
Davos, Bezirk Prättigau/Davos, Graubünden, Switzerland
BURIAL
Mainau Schlosskirche (Palace Church)
Konstanz, Landkreis Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany



The Emery's groundskeeper died on their property here, he had been out fishing in a boat and came to shore and placed a few items on shore, than got back in the boat and died.  He had been complaining of chest pains for a few years before his death...I will be adding that story here soon.


Bar Harbor Record
June 20, 1896

DEAD IN A BOAT

Alonzo P. Frazier, employed as Gardner for Mr. J.J. Emery at the Turrets, met with a sudden and peculiar death Friday morning.  He was fishing off the shore of the Turrets in the morning and later succeeded in taking from the water, an iron bar which had fallen overboard.  The bar weighted about fifty pounds.  Frazier took the bar ashore and threw it on the bank.  He complained of a pain in his heart and went back to the boat and stretched out on the seats.  When found later he was dead.  The man who first noticed him thought that Frazier was in a peculiar position in the boat.  His head was extended over the side and he looked as if he was gasping for air.
Dr. Smith was called and Sheriff Fennelly was notified.  Dr. Morrison arrived later.  The physicians decided that death was due to heart disease.  Frazier had been complaining for some time of heart trouble and no doubt the heat of the day had aided in the fatal result. He was a brother of Edward Frazier, of Ellsworth Falls, who was poisoned a few days ago at the hands of Clough, a quack doctor of Ellsworth, who gave him a dose of morphine by mistake.  He had a mother and brother living in Bar Harbor.  He has been employed as gardener for Mr. Emery for some time.  He was about forty years old.

THE DEATH OF MRS. J.J. EMERY

Mrs. Alfred Anson Dies At Age Of 88

Mrs. Lela Anson, widow of the late Honorable Alfred Anson, of England and New York, died at her summer home in Bar Harbor Tuesday night at the age of 88, after a prolonged illness.
She was born November 20, 1864 in St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of the late General Charles T. Alexander and Julia (Barrett) Alexander.
She is survived by her children, Mrs. Benjamin Moore of Monticello, Fla;  Thomas Emery of Oyster Bay, Long Island;  John J. Emery of Cincinnati;  La Duchesse de Talleyrand of St. Brice, France, and Mrs. Audrey Emery of Palm Beach Fla..
Mrs. anson was a life long resident of Bar Harbor having lived here with her parents prior to her marriage to John J. Emery of Cincinnati.  They built the present summer home on Eden Street in 1895.  Mr. Emery died in 1908.
She married for the second time in 1911.
Funeral services will be held at 11;30 Friday morning at St. Saviour's Church, Bar Harbor.  Committal will be on Long Island.


In the Sept. 7, 1898 issue of the Bar Harbor Record Mrs. J.J. Emery is listed as being the President and Chairman of the Bar Harbor Kindergarten Association.