MANDEVILLE-SKIFF HOUSE

By Barbara Karl

This two story, dark gray cottage is also of the 115 year-old vintage built by the Skiff family, probably Louis Skiff who was the father of Yale. The house has a metal roof, cement block foundation and a screened porch across the front of the house. The location is .2 miles south of the Onchiota intersection, on county route 30l, on the west side of the road, somewhat hidden by large white pines. The property is just under one acre of grass and woods, a shared driveway with the neighboring house on the north side (Yale Skiff house). The home was lived in for many years by Chet and Valde Skiff Ferris and was owned by the Woods for some time also.

The original house had no basement and Pershing Tormey dug one in the late 40's, following WWII. There is a detached garage. The house was sold a few times in recent years, and the present owner is Jane Mandeville. It is unknown as to how much change has taken place, both in the interior and exterior. The house appears to be in moderate condition

The Hamlet of Onchiota had a flourishing saw mill business and two railroads passing through. Residences in the hamlet housed the people who worked in the mill, as well as those who contributed to the community's various services, such as hunting and trapping, feeding the workers, and schooling. Following the closure of the saw mill there were for many years, summer camps and the Tuberculosis healing business, all requiring a variety of services.

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Town of Franklin

P.O. Box 209, Route 3, Vermontville, NY 12989  ·  Tel: 518-891-2189  ·  Fax: 518-891-6389  ·  info@townoffranklin.com