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Inside, it boasted carved wooden staircases, high ceilings, and opulent finishes, providing panoramic views of downtown D.C. At the time, Bellmont stood among the most exquisite private homes in the city.
But Barber's real estate empire extended beyond Washington. In 1889, he purchased the Weeswood estate on Staten Island, a grand red brick mansion built in the 1850s. There, he enjoyed leisure amidst lush grounds and proximity to New York’s elite.
Manhattan and the Pinnacle of Privilege
In 1891, Barber acquired a townhouse at 871 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan—the Stewart mansion—an ornate turn-of-the-century residence. This gave him and his family winter access to high society near Central Park, reinforcing his status among America’s wealthy elite.