Many of these stately homes still stand around where I live...which is in the Boston area. Here is an example of one that stood (and hopefully still does!) in Elizabeth, NJ when our country was right about to celebrate its 100th Birthday! Note the lack of trees around this homestead. Wood was a primary heating fuel in those days so as a result local trees and forests were kind of swept clean until coal, oil and natural gas became predominant fuel sources after 1900.

Added note...Many of the surviving homes of this design/era here around Boston have slate roofs upon them. Slate is a very durable roofing material with a minimum 50-year life expectancy despite our New England climate. Over the years and subject to the harsh New England seasons, slate begins to physically wear thin and eventually has to be replaced. Some roofers around here will tell you about slate roofs that haven't been touched in 100 years! They were a bit more expensive in their day compared to more conventional wood shingled roofing. The slates easily shed/slid snow and ice, very especially those with approximate 45-degree slopes. Somewhat more beefier roof joisting was needed in the attic however you got to keep in mind these homes were built when 2 by 4's were **REAL** two-by-fours!!