In the summer of 1890, developer David H. King Jr. embarked on an ambitious project that would shape the face of Harlem for generations to come.
The King’s Model Houses, as they were called, were envisioned as a block of “first-class character” homes between what are now Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, stretching from 138th to 139th Streets.
The Real Estate Record & Builders’ Guide hailed it as “One of the most important building operations ever undertaken in this city.” King’s vision was to create an oasis of elegance in the rapidly developing Harlem, a neighborhood on the cusp of transformation.
Architectural Marvels of the Gilded Age
Architects Bruce Price and Clarence S. Luce were tasked with bringing King’s vision to life. Their neo-Georgian designs were a testament to the opulence of the Gilded Age. Each 17-foot-wide, three-story residence was a masterpiece of beige brick and white terra cotta trim.
The homes boasted arched entrances with elongated keystones, splayed lintels adorned with foliate terra cotta sections, and brick parapets featuring balustraded openings.
The New York World noted that these residences would surround “a great court in the centre of the block,” creating a private sanctuary for their well-to-do residents.
245 West 138th Street: A House Through Time
Our focus, the house at 245 West 138th Street, began its journey through time with Henry W. Harwood, who purchased the home in May 1894.
The Harwood family’s 16-year tenure marked a period of stability for the property, reflecting Harlem’s status as a desirable neighborhood for middle and upper-class families.
However, the early 20th century brought changes. Between 1910 and 1918, the house changed hands several times, mirroring the broader demographic shifts occurring in Harlem. This period of flux was a prelude to the neighborhood’s most significant transformation.
The Dingles: Pioneers of the Harlem Renaissance
In 1920, the Dingle family acquired 245 West 138th Street, ushering in a new era for both the house and the neighborhood. The Dingles, a Black family from Savannah, Georgia, represented the vanguard of Harlem’s transformation into the cultural and intellectual center of Black America.
Cecilia G. Dingle, along with her sons J. Gordon and Alan L., and daughter Clinton, made 245 West 138th Street their home. Their story is one of achievement and community involvement that epitomizes the Harlem Renaissance.
A Family of Achievers
J. Gordon and Alan Dingle, both Howard University graduates, established a law firm nearby at 200 West 135th Street. Their sister Clinton, a public school teacher, was a graduate of Atlanta University – a remarkable accomplishment for a Black woman of her time.
The Dingle brothers quickly became involved in Harlem’s legal and social issues. Alan, in particular, took on high-profile cases for the NAACP, cementing the family’s reputation as community leaders.
The Dayton in Manhattan wrote that the brothers’ legal office A. L. & J. G. Dingle was nearby at 200 West 135th Street. The firm quickly became involved in Harlem issues. On February 2, 1926, for instance, a 14-year-old Black girl was trapped and assaulted in a barn in the Bronx by ten white men. The men were arrested and each pleaded not guilty.
The Report of the Secretary of the N.A.A.C.P. that month noted that the victim “is in a very critical condition at Metropolitan Hospital on Welfare Island” and “the girl is destitute.” It said:
“The National Office has retained Alan L. Dingle, a capable young attorney, who has been instructed to follow the case through for the N.A.A.C.P. both the legal side and the welfare end, and to take such steps as are advisable. He has also been instructed to visit the girl, to talk with the hospital authorities, and to secure the girl’s statement to be used in the event of her death.“
A Social Hub of the Harlem Renaissance
Under the Dingles’ ownership, 245 West 138th Street became a social hub. Clinton hosted luncheons and bridge parties, maintaining the home’s status as a center of refined social life in Harlem. These gatherings likely saw discussions of art, literature, and politics that defined the Harlem Renaissance.
Tragedy and Triumph
Tragedy struck in 1930 when J. Gordon Dingle died at the young age of 39 from complications of asthma.
His brother Alan continued their legal practice, eventually earning the moniker “dean of the black bar of Manhattan.”Alan’s clients included luminaries like poet Langston Hughes and the estate of Madam C. J. Walker, further cementing the house’s connection to Harlem’s cultural elite.
His influence extended beyond his legal practice. He served as President of the Harlem Lawyers’ Association, Chairman of the Harlem Y.M.C.A., and during World War II, became chairman of the 125th Street Rationing Board.
A Testament to Preservation
Throughout the 20th century, as many of Harlem’s grand homes were subdivided into apartments, 245 West 138th Street remained a single-family residence. This continuity speaks to the Dingle family’s commitment to preserving the home’s original character and their own place in Harlem’s social fabric.
Alan Dingle’s marriage in 1944, at the age of 41, was noteworthy enough to make the local papers, reflecting the family’s standing in the community. It was a testament to the enduring legacy of both the house and the family that called it home.
A Living Chronicle of Harlem’s History
Today, 245 West 138th Street stands as a living chronicle of Harlem’s history. From its origins as part of an ambitious development project to its role in the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, this home has been a silent witness to the neighborhood’s triumphs and challenges.
As we walk past this historic residence, we’re reminded of the layers of stories embedded in Harlem’s streets. The King’s Model House at 245 West 138th Street is more than just a well-preserved example of 19th-century architecture; it’s a symbol of Harlem’s enduring spirit and its ability to reinvent itself while honoring its past.
Lessons for a Changing Harlem
In an era of rapid gentrification and change, homes like 245 West 138th Street serve as anchors to Harlem’s rich history.
They remind us of the visionaries who built this neighborhood, the families who made it a community, and the cultural giants who made Harlem synonymous with Black excellence.
As Harlem continues to evolve, the story of 245 West 138th Street and the families who called it home – from the Harwoods to the Dingles – offers valuable lessons about preservation, community, and the power of place in shaping our collective identity.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Harlem’s Resilience
The King’s Model House at 245 West 138th Street stands as a testament to Harlem’s resilience and its enduring place in the American story.
It reminds us that the true value of a home lies not just in its architectural beauty, but in the lives lived within its walls and the community it helps to build.
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As we look to Harlem’s future, let us draw inspiration from this enduring symbol of our neighborhood’s past, and strive to create a community that honors its rich history while embracing the promise of tomorrow.
Photo credit: 1) The houses engulfed a courtyard. The Real Estate Record & Builders’ Guide, April 9, 1892. image courtesy of the Office of Metropolitan History. 2) John Gordon Dingle, Howard Academy Year Book 1918, (copyright expired) and Alan L. Dingle The New York Age, December 23, 1944 (source). 3) he King’s Model House residence.
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