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Ephraim B. Potter
Ephraim was born in Glens Falls in 1855. Little is known of his personal life and professional education. His father, Ephraim Potter, was an accomplished local millwright. He is credited with supervising the rebuilding of a former local industrial landmark, Wing’s Sawmill, after the Hudson River’s spring freshet of April 28,1869. Young Ephraim was educated in the local public schools. He probably received an education in carpentry and engineering from his father. In 1885, at the age of 30, he chose to devote himself to the architectural profession. He had already gained a reputation as a skilled craftsman.
From 1885 until his death 40 years later, Mr. Potter designed major industrial, commercial and residential structures in Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, and Fort Edward. At the time, one of the more significant designs of an industrial building north of Albany, was Potter’s design for the Peyser and Morrison Shirt Company Building ca. 1893. This building is now Binch’s Native Textiles at 211 Warren Street.
The following is a list of some of the buildings which are attributed to the architect or shows his influence.
Thomas Burnham House, 195 Ridge Street
B. B. Fowler Company Building, 190 - 194 Glen Street
Martin Wilmarth House (one of the earliest Colonial Revival houses in the city) 528 Glen Street
James A. Holden House (demolished)
Samuel Goodwin House, 67 Park Street (became Sullivan and Minahan Funeral Home, demolished)
George Leggett House (demolished)
Patrick Moynehan House (demolished)
Dr. Thomas Foulds Mansion (demolished)
George Finch House (demolished)
No. 2 and No. 3 Bemis Buildings (now Sherman Square Buildings) 3 and 5 Sherman Avenue
Alterations to the Sherman House, 380 Glen Street
The Marion House, 13 E. Notre Dame Street
The Marion House Annex. 7A and B Union Street
Alterations to the Allen House,
Parry House, 146 Warren Street
Helen Wing House, 126 Warren Street
W. T. Cowles House, 43 - 47 William Street
Coolidge Carriage House, 16 Maple Street
Potter House, 15 Sherman Avenue
Lawrence Dolan Building, 39 - 43 South Street
I. N. Scott Building, 28 Ridge Street
Potter and Cowles Building, 196 - 198 Glen Street
Glens Falls High School (original High School on Glen Street), 421 - 433 Glen Street
Hotel Madden, 22 South Street
Ferriss Building, 178 - 180 Glen Street
Helped design the interior of St. Alphonsus Church
Empire Theatre (helped supervised the construction with others)
The City Directories show Mr. Potter living on Elm Street for many years. The 1897 directory lists him as being an architect and also superintendent of water works. In the early 1900’s he was living at what is now the Sherman House.
In 1925 Mr. Potter was killed in an accident at the corner of Elm and South Streets. He was riding his bicycle to work and was hit by an R. F. D. mail truck. He was survived by his wife Isobel.
Sources: Glens Falls City Directories, 1897 Industrial Edition of The Glens Falls Daily Times, Glens Falls Multiple Resource Historic District Files