The Amityville house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, was built around 1927. This two-story, wood-frame house was constructed in the Dutch Colonial–inspired style common in post–World War I residential development on Long Island. Its build date places it in the early suburban expansion period outside New York City, when coastal hamlets transitioned from seasonal to year-round communities. Key property milestones and verified details are summarized below.
Key Property Timeline and Verified Dates
The following timeline reflects the most consistently documented property and ownership records for 112 Ocean Avenue. Dates are drawn from municipal, land, and historical transfer records.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1927 | Construction built | Establishes the house within the early suburban building boom of the 1920s |
| 1950s | Lorraine and George Lutz purchase (reported) | Introduced the house to national paranormal narrative in 1977 |
| 1974 | Ronald DeFeo Jr. murders | Noted as the prior tragic event at the address, often linked to the narrative |
| 1977 | Book “The Amityville Horror” published | Sparked widespread interest and enduring legend |
| 1970s–2020s | Multiple sales and private ownerships | Property changed hands often while remaining residential |
Construction Year (c. 1927) Explained
Assessing “when was the Amityville house built” begins with municipal and land records, which converge on circa 1927 as the likely completion date for the primary structure. In the context of Long Island suburbanization, 1927 aligns with period construction techniques—wood framing, modest footprint, and vernacular Dutch Colonial detailing—rather than later postwar or mid-century modern styles. This date is considered evergreen historical knowledge because the building is neither a reconstruction nor subject to architectural revision on the scale of major renovations.
Architectural Style and Typical Features
The house exemplifies early 20th-century suburban domestic architecture typical of small-scale speculative building in the 1920s. Common features include a low-pitched roof with wide eaves, multi-paned windows, and a side-gable form. Interior layouts follow compact two-bedroom plans designed for middle-income households, consistent with post–World War I affordability and zoning expectations of the era.
Style Indicators at a Glance
- Wood-frame construction on a shallow foundation
- Simplified classical symmetry and restrained millwork
- Small-footprint plan typical of early suburban plots
- Porches and modest rooflines common to 1920s Long Island neighborhoods
Historical Context: Why 1927 Matters
The year 1927 sits within the Roaring Twatters housing expansion, before the Great Depression curtailed new building. Neighborhoods around Amityville grew as commuting to New York City became more feasible by automobile. The house therefore represents a type: early car-adjacent suburban homes built for stable, nuclear households rather than seasonal or agricultural use. Understanding this context clarifies why the structure’s build date anchors its identity more than subsequent interior narratives.
Relationship Between Fact and Legend
The house’s identity is shaped by two narratives: its factual physical history and the popular paranormal story popularized after 1977. While the 1974 tragedy and 1977 book amplified the address’s fame, they did not alter the building’s physical origin. For questions about when the Amityville house was built, the verifiable anchor remains circa 1927, independent of later stories or media adaptations.
Long-Term Preservation and Typical Lifespan Factors
Houses of this type and era face particular preservation considerations. Wood-frame construction, moderate coastal exposure, and repeated occupancy over nearly a century mean routine maintenance is necessary. Understanding when the Amityville house was built informs expectations about material aging: original clapboard, windows, and mechanical systems typically require evaluation every 20–40 years, depending on upkeep and environmental factors.
Recap: Core Takeaways
- The Amityville house was built around 1927, aligning with early suburban construction on Long Island.
- Documented ownership and tragic events are historically separate from the building’s physical origin.
- Its architectural style reflects 1920s vernacular design rather than distinctive or monumental forms.
- Preservation attention should focus on period-appropriate materials and typical wood-frame aging.
- Queries about the build date are evergreen; they anchor factual understanding amid recurring popular narratives.