"Pleasantdale Farms"

 residence, historic remains, Norman (architecture)

 Upload a photo

In 1912, industrialist and Allied Chemical executive Charles W. Nichols purchased a number of contiguous Dutch farmsteads in the area and used the property as a weekend family retreat. They used a farmhouse and a number of the outbuildings, some of which dated to 1835, and continued to farm the land.

It became known as "Pleasantdale Farms". His father was chemist and businessman William H. Nichols, who was instrumental in building the chemical supply business in the U.S. thru various company mergers. Charles was a Vice President and General Manager of General Chemical and later Allied Chemical and Dye Corp. By the 1920's he commissioned Augustus N. Allen to design a French Norman chateau that was completed by 1928, though work continued until 1933 on parts of it, and for other buildings on the estate. Ethelbert E. Furlong was hired as the landscape architect. The entrance has reclaimed 15th century Spanish tiles on the floor.

Nichols passed away in 1959, and by 1963 the family left the estate to Allied for use as a corporate retreat. In 1994, restauranteur Harry Knowles and family bought and restored the mansion and estate for use as a special occasion venue.