purchased 350 acres land the Orange valley and
set about creating romantic, rustic setting for residential
community. Glenmont an
impressive Victorian house which reflects multitude of
architectural styles and enthusiastic decorative motives. But instead joining the
other millionaires building mansions the blocks the south
of Central Park, chose rural setting for his new life as
married man and industrialist.4
connections (such Henry Villard).^ Edison purchased Glenmont, sprawling
castle that cost him nearly quarter million dollars in
1887 and was appraised much higher figure. The newly-weds moved West
Orange the scenic Orange valley, resort area for the urban
masses Newark that was only miles west from New York
City. Here they purchased house Llewellyn Park, enclave
of magnificent houses that was the first planned residential
community the United States.
Designed Henry Hudson Holly, one the most influential and
popular residential architects his time, exuberant
. Llewellyn Park contained all the elements a
well-landscaped arcadia, including acre park called the
Ramble, and was dotted with impressive mansions built high
American gothic style."*
The idea for this development, "country houses for city
people," came from Llewellyn Haskell, successful importer of
pharmaceuticals and supporter projects like Central Park
in New York City. Haskell helped pioneer the idea finding
rural alternatives living the city the 1850s and
1860s
