Incredible photos show the abandoned remains of a 6,000-square-foot river retreat that once belonged to a hugely successful US banking magnate.
The house in Palatka, Putnam County, Florida was built by industrialist and banker James R Mellon in 1883 to get away from the winters of Pennsylvania.
Now, striking pictures show the white-panel exterior of the large house, the ornate tiled pathway leading to the front door and the slightly overgrown garden that features palm trees.
Other images show inside the property with a piano and old records left behind, along with old tennis rackets and an American flag. A bare mattress on the floor also suggests that someone may be squatting in the building.
The abandoned remains of a river retreat in north Florida that once belonged to the hugely successful US banking magnate and industrialist James R Mellon
The staircase in the abandoned Mellon river retreat. James Mellon founded the City Deposit Bank, becoming its president in 1898. By the end of the century, the Mellon Bank was the largest banking institution in the country outside of New York
An old piano left at the home. James R. Mellon was born on January 14, 1846. His father, Judge Thomas Mellon, was the founder of Mellon Bank and patriarch to the Mellon family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From an early age, Thomas Mellon entrusted his sons with business ventures
An urban explorer known as Abandoned Southeast took the photos. They said: ‘The introduction of the railroads into North Florida in the 1880s led to an explosion in the winter tourist trade.
‘The various railroad lines poured crowds of tourists into the cities along the St. Johns River, filling hotels to capacity for months. Other seasonal visitors, such as industrialist James R. Mellon, opted to purchase or erect winter residences rather than be confined to a hotel room.’
‘The Mellons welcomed many famous guests into their home, including Billy Sunday, a former National League baseball player turned evangelist. Sunday was an incredibly popular supporter of Prohibition, and his preaching likely played a significant role in the adoption of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919.’
James Ross Mellon was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 14, 1846, son of Judge Thomas Mellon who is better known for being the founder of Mellon Bank and patriarch of the wealthy and influential Mellon family.
‘Eager to establish himself before getting married, James Mellon returned home to lease the Osceola Coal Works from his father,’ added Abandoned Southeast.
‘In 1867, Mellon sold the Coal Works. He created a lumber yard and builders supply business with his brother, Thomas Jr., in East Liberty.
‘Shortly after, James and Rachel were married. James Mellon founded the City Deposit Bank, becoming its president in 1898. By the end of the century, the Mellon Bank was the largest banking institution in the country outside of New York.
‘The institution helped finance the construction of the Ligonier Valley Railroad. The rail ties and lumber used to build the railroad were furnished by the lumber company the Mellon brothers owned.
The ornate tiled pathway leading to the front door and the front garden are both in a state of disrepair, with palm trees leaning to the side. By the age of 21, James and his brother Thomas Jr. had raised over $100,000 operating a nursery, lumber yard, and construction supply business
Old tennis rackets, books and an abandoned box left in the house, along with a map and a US flag. Over the course of his life, James Mellon became a successful businessman, banker, and philanthropist
The ceiling of the house is in a poor state, along with a dated interior. James and wife Rachael first came to Florida in the early 1880s, to get away from the frigid winters in Pennsylvania. James Mellon often told his friends that his wife hated the cold weather. The Mellons built a 6,000-square-foot house on a corner lot in 1883
Old records and a record player left behind at the house. The Mellons welcomed many famous guests into their home, including Billy Sunday, a former National League baseball player turned evangelist. Sunday was an incredibly popular supporter of Prohibition, and his preaching likely played a significant role in the adoption of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919
James Ross Mellon, pictured, was the son of Judge Thomas Mellon, the founder of Mellon Bank and patriarch of the wealthy and influential family
‘In 1899, the Union Trust Company of Pittsburgh was organized by the Mellon family, to be followed by the Union Savings Bank. These two banks, along with the Mellon Bank, became the three greatest banks in America under a single management.
‘The Mellon family ranked among the wealthiest and most prominent industrialists in the United States by the time of Judge Mellon’s death in 1908. Five years later, the Mellon brothers founded the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research as a memorial to their father.
‘During their years in Florida the Mellons were very involved in the community and supported the education system. James Mellon donated land for the Mellon School, which later became Putnam High School.
‘On May 7th, 1919, at the age of 73, Rachel Mellon passed away upon arriving home to Pittsburgh. After her death, James continued to spend each winter in Palatka. To honour her memory, he built the Larimer Memorial Library (now Larimer Arts Center) and donated it to the city. Today, the building is home to the Art Council of Greater Palatka and houses local art galleries.’
During their years in Florida the Mellons were very involved in the community and supported the education system. James Mellon donated land for the Mellon School, which later became Putnam High School
A mattress was spotted in the living room of the house, suggesting squatters had taken up residence there. On May 7, 1919, at the age of 73, Rachel Mellon passed away upon arriving home to Pittsburgh. After her death, James continued to spend each winter in Palatka. To honour her memory, he built the Larimer Memorial Library (now Larimer Arts Center) and donated it to the city
The introduction of the railroads into North Florida in the 1880s led to an explosion in the winter tourist trade and visitors, such as industrialist James R. Mellon, opted to purchase or erect winter residences rather than be confined to a hotel room
The Mellon family ranked among the wealthiest and most prominent industrialists in the United States by the time of Judge Mellon’s death in 1908. Five years later, the Mellon brothers founded the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research as a memorial to their father
An abandoned bathroom at the sprawling property. The Mellon bank helped finance the construction of the Ligonier Valley Railroad. The rail ties and lumber used to build the railroad were furnished by the lumber company the Mellon brothers owned
James and his eldest brother Thomas agreed to pool their business interests together, becoming dealers in coal, lumber, and other building materials which were in high demand at the time in Pittsburgh.
In 1913, James and his brothers founded the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research in memory of their father who passed away in February 1908.
Along with being a successful bank and industrialist, he was a philanthropist like the rest of the Mellon family and deeply invested in his community. He was president of the board of trustees of East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
He served as president of Western Pennsylvania Hospital and the Allegheny County Juvenile Court Farm. He also served as a trustee for the Athalia Daly Home for Working Girls.
James Mellon died on October 20, 1934.
The rotting remains of a staircase in the winter retreat. In 1913, James and his brothers founded the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research in memory of their father who passed away in February 1908
An old calendar from 1970 at the house. Along with being a successful bank and industrialist, he was a philanthropist like the rest of the Mellon family and deeply invested in his community. He was president of the board of trustees of East Liberty Presbyterian Church
James served as president of Western Pennsylvania Hospital and the Allegheny County Juvenile Court Farm. He also served as a trustee for the Athalia Daly Home for Working Girls
James died on October 20, 1934. On July 1, 2007, as a result of the merger of Mellon Financial Corporation and the Bank of New York, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, doing business as BNY Mellon, was formed