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Steele House, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Occupying a corner lot at a busy intersection is this imposing two-story frame house with attic and basement, Greek Revival in design, and dating from the second quarter of the Nineteenth Century. It is so situated that its noble proportions can be viewed advantageously from the other corners of the intersection, This residence has the unique distinction of being unequaled in its style, in Kings County, as an example of clapboard Greek Revival architecture. There is a charming shuttered, octagonal cupola rising above the roof which gives the House an added distinction.

On two street fronts, an ornate iron railing encloses the lot with the building set back a few feet behind it. A flight of wooden steps projects from the front of the House, Complete with newel posts, turned spindles and a wide hand rail, it is a fitting approach to the handsome pilastered doorway, supporting a fine entablature with a modillioned cornice. The windows of the front elevation are pedimented, while all others have entablatures, with the exception of the small rectangular attic windows with decorative trim sot in the smooth fascia board below the cornice which crowns the House, The cornice with modillions is an outstanding feature of this impressive residence and is repeated at the octagonal cupola atop the roof.

A two-story wing set back from the front wall of the House may well have been from another building on the property, moved over and joined to the main body of the residence. The lower ceiling and floor levels would indicate that the wing was not built as an extension, and these smaller dimensions could moan that it is of an earlier date than the main part of the House. Despite the smaller scale, the attached wing has the same character and dignity as its larger companion. Two windows wide, the wing contains a narrow porch raised several feet above the ground. An engaged pilaster and two fluted Ionic columns support an entablature and low pitched roof. The second floor windows are also pedimented. The first floor openings at the porch are French doors. A handsome dentiled cornice crowns this attractive wing.

It has been ascertained that Joseph Steele, a resident of Brooklyn Heights, sold the house and property in 1853 to Joseph K. Brick, the first President of the Brooklyn Union Gas Company. Mr. R. N. Skinner, father of the present owner, purchased the house on November 1, 1903 from the estate of Julia E. Brick. The interiors have handsome period fireplaces and beautiful wood paneling. The House has not been modernized.

- From the 1968 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report

This house belonged to Riverside's first minister, James A. Trowbridge. It is representative of Victorian or Rural Gothic architecture with its cruciform plan, gable with matching pointed windows, long narrow windows on ground level with shutters and decorative trim, two story bays, and wraparound porch. The design is attributed to William Le Baron Jenney's architectural firm, who were in charge of carrying out the General Plan of Riverside. It is a local Riverside landmark.