WILLIAMSON HOMESTEAD


1 Feb 1909
Brooklyn Standard Union

CHANGES IN RUGBY

Williamson House to be Torn Down

Landmark Which Has Stood More Than Century to Give Way to Modern Building

     The last vestige of "Old Flatbush" in that part known as Rugby, will soon have been torn down to 
make room for new building enterprises.  It is the old Williamson homestead, which was erected shortly 
after the Revolutionary War. Residents of Flatbush who have attained a venerable age have recollections 
of the beautiful home of colonial architecture, with its many rooms.  

It stands at the corner of Church and Utica avenues, but will soon be razed, and instead the Senator 
Construction Company will erect more than forty  up-to-date two story family residences on the site. 

     Surrounded by 71/2 acres, the Williamson homestead presents a pretty picture to-day. It is at 
present occupied as a boarding  house, but in days gone many of the chief functions of Flatbush were 
held there. The Williamsons were one of the leading families of that part of Flatbush. With 
the disappearance of the old house, however, all that was reminiscent of the early settlement, out 
Rugby way, will have been erased, and the section will have become exclusively modern. 

     The forty-four homes which the Senator Construction Company proposes building on the site will 
have the latest modern improvements.  Located on Church and Utica avenues, they will mean the attempt 
of builders in Flatbush to cater to two classes; those who desire cottage life, on which Rugby 
abounds, and those who prefer the modern brick dwellings in town, The latter will be close to the 
places of trade which are fast building up in Rugby. 

	All the old buildings in the Williamson estate will be removed, and all that has marked the spot 
will be blotted out for the sake of modern building enterprise. 

     Rugby was laid out by the Wood,Harmon Company, and from farms in a few years it has grown to be a 
thriving residence locality.  The population  is increasing rapidly.  

The East Flatbush Taxpayers Association recently made a request for the erection of a public school there.  


Transcribed by:Lorraine Conroy
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