The now-demolished Fairacres Estate in Jenkintown was one of ten estates designed by architect Wilson Eyre and received numerous alterations during its lifetime. It was owned by John Worrell Pepper and located at Washington Lane near Fairacres Road.
Philadelphiabuildings.org and the Facebook pages “Abandoned, Old or Interesting Places – Eastern PA” and “Mansions of the Gilded Age” have shared photos and details of the estate’s history.
Courtesy of Philadelphiabuildings.org
Chronology according to Philadelphiabuildings.org:
1886
BUILTArchitect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) 1893
ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONSresidence.Architect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) 1895-1899
ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONSBarns, sheds, stable, outbuildings and gardens.Architect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) 1901-1902
ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONSresidence.Architect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) 1901-1904
DESIGNEDUnbuilt proposal for new house.Architect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) 1904
ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONSExtensive alterations – small portion of 1886 structure remained.Architect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) 1916
BUILTGarage.Architect: Eyre, Wilson, Jr. (1858-1944) c. 1935
DEMOLISHEDProperty subdivided. Fragments of the “Fairacres” garden remain.
From Mansions’ Facebook post:
Wilson Eyre, architect, 1886, Alterations by Eyre, 1896, 1901, enlarged 1904.
John Worrell Pepper, member of a prominent Philadelphia family, was President of the Provident Savings Fund bank. His architect was the leader in a blend of picturesque English Arts and Crafts vernacular that almost became the default style of the area, practiced by two generations of his followers. Philadelphia area. “Fairacres”, in all its incarnations, from charming to country house to extended mansion, was much admired by architectural critics, and the house was published in all the leading design magazines of its day, noted also for its near dream-like integration of garden and house.
JW Pepper died in 1918, His heirs put the property up for development in 1937, and the house was demolished. A few garden walls, balustrades and the pair of gazebos remain.
From Abandoned’s Facebook post:
Designed by noted Philadelphia architect Wilson Eyre, Jr. for John Worrell Pepper. “This ample and remarkably beautiful and architectural abode makes a picture, in driving along Washington lane, which draws the attention of every passer-by. The building is of stone, pebble-dashed. Wilson Eyre, Jr., was the architect, and W. H. Thomas, the builder. The building was erected in 1886. The varied angles and extended front are quite a feature here.”
A modernized house at 1259 Fairacres Road was built in the estate’s place. At some point in time, the property was up for sale for $595,096. It was sold in August 2022.
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Feature photo: Redfin.com