martinhouseclr

135 2 // SITE HISTORY & EVOLUTION 1906, February: Martin receives Floricycle plan from Wright, asks questions regarding particular plants. 1906, March: Wright addresses Martin’s questions, notes Griffin’s continued involvement with Floricycle plan. 1906, May: Existing ‘hemi-cycle’ plants removed and replaced with Floricycle. Elm tree near Barton verandah planted. Martin purchases additional lands, including a ‘garden lot’ fronting Jewett Parkway. 1906, Fall: Second elm tree near Barton verandah planted. 1906-1907: Photographs of house and site taken by Wright photographer, Henry Fuermann & Sons. 1908, May: Jewett garden lot improvements, including chicken coop construction and fruit trees and shrubs planted. Martin gives pruning shears to son as present. 1909: Gardener’s Cottage complete. Thomas Skinner takes up residence. 1910: Wright publishes ‘Wasmuth portfolio,’ includes idealized redrawing of Martin House and landscape. 1910, May: Hemlock taken from woods near Bouckville by Darwin R. Martin (son) and planted at property. 1910, October: Walter Burly Griffin prepares planting plan for shrub border along Summit Avenue at Martin’s request. Implemented approximately 1 year later. 1910, November: Martin asks Wright if he still plans to design a wall promised to Mrs. Martin along the Summit Avenue frontage. Wright replies yes but fails to deliver plans. Wall never implemented. 1911, July: Martin discusses significant changes to the conservatory with gardener, Thomas Skinner, to improve growing of flowers. Not implemented. 1912-1914: Ginkgo on east side of driveway planted. Flag pole placed at east end of Jewett frontage area. 1912, June: Gardener Thomas Skinner leaves Martin’s employ, George Fellows is hired. 1914, March: Noble Fir tree received as gift, planted at property. 1914-1916: Elm at south end of Summit Terrace planted. 1916, November: Gardener George Fellows replaced by Edwin Helic. 1923, June: Dorothy Martin married to James F. Foster. Ceremony and reception held in garden. 1923-1927: Stone retaining wall constructed along western property boundary, some landscape improvements made adjacent to wall. 1926, April: Martin purchases land for Graycliff summer home on Lake Erie, hires Wright to design. 1926, June: Martin retires, spends newly found free time performing landscape maintenance, pruning. 1928: Graycliff building construction complete. Greycliff landscape design begins. 1928: Martin requests Wright relocate eight cedars extant at Jewett Parkway within grounds at Graycliff. Trees removed and taken to Graycliff, except one Hemlock tree closest to porte-cochere. 1928: Martin suffers first stroke. 1929, February: George Barton (brother-in-law) dies. 1929, October: Black Tuesday market crash, leading to loss of Martin’s fortune and the beginning of the Great Depression. 1929-1937: Vegetable / edibles garden planted and maintained along western boundary. 1930: Grandchildren adopted/born. 1900 - 1910 1910 (cont.) - 1923 1923 - 1930 Historic Landscape Timeline (cont.)