The Governor A.J. Seay Mansion in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, is known as "Horizon Hill," due to its being situated on the highest point in town, and from that point, one could see the horizon line in every direction.
Built in 1892, the home is of the "Queen Anne" architectural style. This also fits into the "Victorian" era and style of home building. It is associated with sometimes over-the-top features such as ornate turrets, railing, ornamentation, gables, porches and the like.
"Horizon Hill," according to photographs from the time it was built, was never decorated with the "gingerbread" like many of its contemporaries. Its most extravagant feature was the three-story turret.
For years, friends of the mansion have tried in vain to locate original floor plans for the home, or information on "sister houses" elsewhere in the country. Until recently, none had ever been found, leading some to surmise that Seay's abode was one-of-a-kind...perhaps designed by the man himself, or custom-built to suit his whims.
However, the world has become a smaller place with the availability of the Internet, and searching for Queen Anne style "Horizon Hill" look-a-likes is becoming easier. Two examples have just been located which have many similarities to Kingfisher's landmark.
One is located in Saratoga, New York. The turret is different, but many other features are strikingly similar. The front porch entrance, carriage run, third floor windows, and second floor "balcony" are all tell-tale signs that Seay's home may not be as unique as once thought.
Another similar home, the location of which has not yet been determined, is a bit different on the first floor, but still appears to have a carriage run on one side. The tower roof is practically a twin to "Horizon Hill's," and the second floor balcony area is also quite similar. The third floor windows are altered a bit, but not enough to keep these two homes from being quite-obviously related.
The one major difference between the recently-discovered homes and "Horizon Hill" is the porch which wraps around the first floor of the turret in the two "new" examples. Seay's home does not have this feature, but does have porches on its north, east and south sides. One can easily imagine it having a wrap-around like these other two. Perhaps Seay just didn't much like the idea.
PHOTOS: (1 - B&W) Seay Mansion in Kingfisher, OK. (2 - Pointed turret roof) Queen Anne style home in Saratoga, NY. (3 - white house) Queen Anne style home, location unknown.[
NOTE: Do you know of other "sister homes" to the Seay Mansion? Please send them our way, along with any information possible. KingCoHistory@yahoo.com]
