Syracuse, N.Y. — Growing up in Syracuse’s Strathmore neighborhood, Chris LaBerge couldn’t help but notice a grand old mansion that had fallen on hard times on West Onondaga Street.
In its disrepair, it was still striking. It had a three-story turret and exterior wood shingles in patterns — designs resembling fish scales and waves. Bands at the second floor of the turret contained wood carvings of floral or leaf flourishes.