Alvord eventually moved to
Brooklyn in
New York City in order to continue pursuing his career in real estate and development after initially starting his career in
Rochester, New York, where he developed a successful neighborhood.[2][3][5]
Around 1899, Alvord would purchase roughly 60 acres (24 ha) of farmland in Brooklyn and would soon develop it into a neighborhood called
Prospect Park South.[6][7][8] He chose the location in part to take advantage of the area's public transportation.[9] Soon afterwards, Alvord developed the
Laurelton section of
Queens.[8][10]
In 1905, Alvord purchased and developed a large area in
Shinnecock Hills on the eastern end of
Long Island.[2][13] Following (and as a result of) this purchase, Alvord became the owner of roughly 10% of Long Island's shoreline.[2][13]
Alvord moved to
Clearwater, Florida, in 1913.[1][2] He moved there intending to retire, but ultimately continued working as a developer; Alvord continued working as a developer until his death.[1] It was during this time when he developed the
Harbor Oaks subdivision of Clearwater, which he opened around 1914.[1][2] The Harbor Oaks subdivision is now a historic district known as the Harbor Oaks Historic District and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.[22]
Additionally, Alvord briefly taught at Syracuse University, where he had previously attended college, and also served as the General Secretary of the
Rochester YMCA.[2][5]
Development style
Alvord, who was active in – and an advocate for – civic improvement and the beautification of streets, was known for making his developments with "park-like atmospheres."[2] He was known for having architects design the homes in his communities to be of various architectural styles, and required that the dwellings built within his communities have setbacks in order to ensure that they all had large front lawns.[2]
Death
Alvord died on April 18, 1941, at the age of 84 at Tampa Hospital in
Tampa, Florida – although some sources state that his death took place in 1937.[1][2]
Personal life
Alvord was married to Nellie Barnum, who was a descendant of
Alexander Hamilton.[1] Alvord himself was a direct descendant of
Johnathan Edwards (and was therefore also a distant relative to
Aaron Burr) on his mother's side.[5]
Alvord had two sons and two daughters.[1] He also had a sister, Emily Feigel.[1]
^"LONG ISLAND LOTS IN STEADY DEMAND: Spring Season Has Opened Auspiciously for Home Sites in Well-Located Districts. NORTH SHORE COMMUNITIES All the Territory from Flushing to Great Neck and Roslyn Showing Substantial Improvements". The New York Times. April 30, 1911 – via
ProQuest.
^
abWinsche, Richard (October 1, 1999). The History of Nassau County Community Place-Names.
Interlaken, New York: Empire State Books. p. 88.
ISBN978-1557871541.
^"CITY AND COUNTRY PROPERTIES -- APARTMENTS TO LET: BELLE TERRE REORGANIZED. Dean Alvord Will Be Member of New Directorate". The New York Times. July 20, 1913 – via
ProQuest.
^"ALVORD COMPANIES PASS TO RECEIVER: Bonded Indebtedness $3,000,000, Unsecured, for Realty Developments on Long Island. DEAN ALVORD OUT OF THEM Belle Terre, Roslyn, Alvord Securities, Suburban Construction, and Alvord Companies Involved". The New York Times. January 11, 1913 – via
ProQuest.