Rathcabbin Apartments

The Rathcabbin Apartments were located on the northeast corner of Powell Avenue and Broadway. The name Rathcabbin comes from a town or church in Ireland. This edifice was originally built by Charles Powell in a corner of the family estate. The original wooded structure was only one full story, and it was built on tree trunks instead of wooden, shaved beams. A two-story wooden addition and a three story clapboard addition were added to the rear of the building in 1906 by Dr. Magilligan, who only used it in the summer. The place was called "Villa Carlotta." There was a fire on the roof on the oldest section about 1912 that destroyed half of the attic and this added to the reason for removing the original section. In 1937, when Mr. Kelly (Mrs. Simmons' father)purchased the house, most of the 1854 part was removed and replaced with a three-story brick section, and the 1906 addition was enlarged to three full stories. All of the original sections existing are on the inside, and it is impossible to tell that the building is over 100 years old from the outside. One of the original two barns is also standing, but in unchanged condition. The building is shaped like and "H", with the arms pointing north-south. The 1906 section is of clapboard; the newest part is of brick, mixed bond. There are two fireplaces and 1 chimney. The windows are sash, six over six, except the second-and third-story windows in the western section, which are nine only. There are French doors leading out into a patio in the center of the southern side.

Previous Owners and & Title Records - 1854 - Built by Charles Powell on family estate. The land was part of the original Powell Purchase of 1695, and came to Charles in the following line: 1-Thomas Powell (The Bull-Rider), 2-Thomas, 3-Thomas, 4-Thomas, 5-John, 6-Charles. 1861-To Thomas Underhill Powell, after Charles' death in 1860, T.U. Powell was from Old Bethpage, having been born and raised on the family farm that is today part of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. T.U. Powell and Charles were distant cousins. 1906-To Dr. Magilligan (After T.U. Powell's death in 1902), the house was rented out to several people, including a Dr. Jackman; a Mrs. Jamison; Miss Eva Capron (for about 2 years); and Jerry W. Robinson. 1937-To J. W. Kelly, Mrs. Edith Simmons' father. It was he who turned it into an apartment house, primarily for upstate school teachers who boarded there while teaching at the Powell Avenue Elementary School. Information from the "Bethpage Tribune" November 24, 1983 by Rosalie Walsh Niemczyk - Bethpage History