Historic Thayer House
Joel Thayer arrived in the Village of Skaneateles in 1835. His home at 77 E. Genesee Street was a showplace and still stands. Thayer acquired the house in 1862, adding a mansard roof and iron work, as well as an apiary, solarium and formal gardens. In the carriage house to the rear, iron grillwork separated the horses’ stalls and hand-carved oak arches crowned them, each bearing the name of its equine resident. In 1866-68, across the street, Thayer built Legg Hall to honor his father-in-law. It was John Legg’s old carriage factory. Over the years Legg Hall has functioned as a dance hall, roller rink, lecture hall, basketball court, a business block and now condominiums.
In 1874, Joel Thayer turned his attention to the shoreline next to Legg Hall, building a breakwall and turning the land into a park, which he opened to the public. His granddaughters, Eva and Mary Webb, formally deeded Thayer Park to the Village in 1922.
