Eleazer BURNHAM
1826 - Glenheim / Leffingwell House - first brick building in Aurora

From The New Century Atlas Of Cayuga County, New York - 1904 - Page 121

"GLENHEIM, the home of Dr. Albert Leffingwell, embraces nearly twenty acres, extending from the main street in the village of Aurora, nearly half a mile to the top of the hill. The residence, considerably improved by the presdent owner, is of brick and stone, and its broad piazzas, shaded by chestnut trees, overlooks Cayuga Lake. The house was built in 1827 by Hon. Eleazer Burnham, a distinguished early resident of Cayuga County, who was twice chosen as a Presidential elector; it was occupied by him for forty years, passing by his death to his nephew, James Burnham Smith, and becoming the residence of Dr. Leffingwell in May, 1896. Nearby is a small building, which a century ago was the law office of Judge Walter Wood, and here Millard Fillmore, afterward President of the United States, first began the study of law. On the same premises, and on the north, is one of the oldest houses of the village. It was the birthplace of Hon. Edwin B. Morgan in 1806, and the upper floor served for several years previous to 1816 as the Masonic Lodge."


The first brick building in Aurora, Leffingwell House, as it now called, was constructed ca. 1826 for Eleazer Burnham (1780-1867), a lawyer and farmer. It was the center of a building complex accommodating his two occupations. Still standing are the barns on the east side, a tenant-house to the north (Chimney Corners) and across the street, Burnham’s brick law office (now "Grove," an art gallery).

Leffingwell House is a vivid illustration of how a house’s appearance can evolve. Originally it was a neat Federal "cube," whose ornament was simply a handsome fanlight over the front door. Around 1870, when the property had passed to Burnham's nephew, the upper story was enlarged and the roof was "modernized" in the prevailing Italianate fashion. Finally, in 1896, when Dr. Leffingwell acquired it, a porch was extended across the front and south side, giving the house a up-to-date "Queen Anne" appearance.

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