Tip Top Cottage

Overview

12 Prospect Avenue
Tip Top Cottage
Carpenter/Queen Anne

Built in the late 1800s, the 2 1/2 story residence sits high above the street and two flights of stairs. It has eaves with a slight flare and a two-story wrap around porch. Extensive carpenter Gothic mill work in geometric forms decorates both stories of the porch and the eaves. The roof has various intersecting gables. The house is surmounted by an octagonal tower rising to four stories, with a conical roof and eight windows all around. Colors are deep red on the walls (modern asphalt siding) with ivory trim, mill work and porch columns. The drooping branches of two large, ancient trees fill the front yard above the steep banks.
-- Tip Top Cottage -- Late 1800s Two flights of stairs, 2-story wraparound porch, extensive Carpenter Gothic millwork in geometric forms. Slightly flared eaves and various intersecting roof gables. 4-story octagonal tower with conical roof and eight windows. Drooping branches of ancient trees fill the front yard.

Noted by the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society for it's great porch.

This hill top neighborhood has a mix of beautiful homes whose period details have been preserved. It evokes memories of an earlier time, when life was more gentle, a bit slower, and leisurely neighborhood strolls invited passersby to linger for a while. Most of the houses began their existence as summer cottages for the well-to-do at a time when Atlantic Highlands was becoming popular as a seaside resort and summer home away from home. Several original owners called themselves the "the 49ers" because they lived on East 49th Street in Manhattan during other seasons -- perhaps also commemorating the Gold Rush? Int eh middle of Prospect Circle is land jointly owned as a park.

Atlantic Highlands Green Map
updated 02/2010 by Trevor Brick