John Rankin House

The John Rankin House is a three-story brick building on Clinton Street featuring stone foundations and a French walnut staircase. Interior elements include anthemion motifs, sixteen fireplaces, and nine-foot-tall doors throughout.

The house was built in 1840 for merchant John Rankin and originally stood isolated on farmland with views toward Upper New York Bay. The surrounding area later transformed from rural landscape to urban neighborhood.

The building displays Greek Revival elements such as stone pilasters and classical proportions that stand apart from typical Brooklyn brownstones. This architectural choice made it a distinctive feature in the neighborhood.

The building functions as a funeral home today and retains many original features, though it is not typically open to the public. Visitors can view the exterior facade and architecture from the street.

Frank Guido purchased the property in 1959 and transformed it from a boarding house into a funeral home. The establishment still operates with Victorian-era horse-drawn hearses today.

Location: Brooklyn

Inception: 1840

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Address: 440 Clinton Street

GPS coordinates: 40.68150,-73.99890

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:23