This large home, now on the National Register of Historic Places, was one of the finest in the city and helped give this area its nickname of Aristocracy Hill. Fourteen months under construction (1904-1905), it was built by Charles H. Nichols but later bought by the Van Vleet family that owned, among other things, the Trinidad Bean and Elevator Company that operated throughout the region. They were so wealthy they were fearful, even in those relatively safe and sane days, and kept armed guards at each entrance to the house and another roaming the grounds. Children had to have invitations and appointment times to come play with their son and daughter.
The home, with magnificent woodwork throughout, formerly had a one-lane bowling alley in the basement and a third-floor billiard room.
Walk on up Chestnut to 3rd Street and turn right. The house on the northwest corner belonged to one of the Jaffa Brothers, who built the Opera House. Many prominent Jewish families of Trinidad lived in this area. The house on the other end of the block at 3rd and Maple Street was the home of the Hammerslough family, other prominent Jews who helped to build Trinidad.