Residential Scenes

AVONDALE

Unknown Beechwood Avenue Betula Avenue Charles Roth Residence

Lenox Place Rose Hill

Lenox Place is part of the Rose Hill subdivision of Avondale. Platted by Robert Mitchell, owner of the Mitchell Furniture Co., it was planned to attract the upper-middle class. It worked and many affluent businessmen built substantial homes here, (such as Samuel Pogue, Andrew Erkenbrecher, and Mitchell himself). They formed the core of affluent North Avondale.

Vernon Place Reading Road

CLIFTON

The fourth card below shows the home of "Boss" Cox. From 1886 to 1915 when he retired from politics he ruled Cincinnati. Using ward politics he was able to gain control of every ward in Cincinnati. You can read more of Cox on the Wielerts Tavern page.

Clifton Avenue Among tropical plants A hillside mansion G. B. Cox's Residence

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A Stately Oak A Clifton Residence John Hauser Residence R. J. Patton Home

The 3rd card is Pine Ridge, the home of the painter John Hauser. Hauser (1859-1913) was born and grew up in the Over-The Rhine area of Cincinnati. He studied art at the Ohio Mechanics' Institute, and in 1873 enrolled in the McMicken Art School. Beginning in 1880 he began studying in Munich at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. In 1883 he became a member of the Cincinnati Schools drawing department until he withdrew in 1886. He again studied in Europe at Munich, Paris, and Dusseldorf. In 1890 he became one of the early members of the Cincinnati Art Club. 1891 was the year he became interested in the American Indian and the west. He constantly traveled to Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota painting Native Americans. In 1901 John and his wife Minnie became adopted members of the Sioux Nation with the names "Straight White Shield" and "Bring us Sweets," respectively. They spent considerable time on the Pine Ridge Reservation, living there 6 months a years between 1901 and 1905. In 1904 they built a home in the Clifton area and named it "Pine Ridge", reflecting their love and respect for the Sioux. John died in 1913 and Minnie died 2 years later.
Although R. J. Patton was president of the R. J. Patton Co., (222 E. 4th St.), which was an awning company it appears he did not want to use his product on his own residence.

This 3 story mansion belonged to Alexander McDonald (1833-1910). He was a Scottish immigrant and partner of John D. Rockefeller. He was president of Standard Oil Company, a director of two railroads and the Third National Bank. In 1920 George Balch (1862-1932), president of the Cincinnati Reality Co. and treasurer of the C. H. & D. Railroad bought the house. The home was willed to the Episcopal Diocese who then sold it to the Cincinnati Board of Education. In 1961 it was razed to make way for the Clifton Primary School now in operation on the site.

COLLEGE HILL

Real Photo Postcard

This mansion is called Laurel Court and is located at 5870 Belmont Avenue. In 1894 Peter G. Thompson founded what is now called Champion International Paper Co. Construction began in1901 and was completed at a cost of $450,000. He then proceeded to buy $500,00 worth of furnishings and plants for his formal gardens, atrium, and greenhouses. The property was acquired by the Cincinnati Archdiocese in the 1940s as the residence for Archbishops John McNicholas (1877-1950) and Karl Alter (1905-1977). It was then sold to "Buddy" LaRosa in 1977 for $350,000. LaRosa secured the mansion's listing on the national historic register, restored the home and grounds, and bought back many of the statues that had been in the home but had been sold by the archdiocese. In 1988 it was put up for sale, I do not know what happened in this sale.

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Charles S Rankin Residence
Oldest Brick house -College Hill

E. H. Lunken Residence

Edmund Lunken (1861-1944) was the son of Frederick Lunkenheimer (1825-1889) founder of the Lunkenheimer Company, one of the nation's leading manufacturers of pressure valves. After his fathers death in 1889 he took over the business. In 1892 he dropped the "heimer" from his name and became Edmund Lunken. In 1919 he became chairman of the board and his son Eshelby (1890-1945) became president. Both men were very interested in aviation the company supplied valves for airplanes; Charles Lindburg used their valves and other products in his Spirit of Saint Louis. In 1930 Edmund gave the city 230 acres of land near Kellogg Ave. for the creation of a municipal airport which was named Lunken Airport in his honor. They both died within a span of one year.

GLENDALE

Eliza House

The Eliza House is located on Oak Road in the southwest part of Glendale. It is a two story brick house on the Mortimore Matthews estate. Before the Civil War Glendale was a station on the Underground Railroad. It is said that the real Eliza, model for the character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous story, made her way here after crossing the river on the ice at Ripley, Ohio.

HYDE PARK

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         Erie Ave. Near Shaw                     Erie Avenue                        Card showing house built       California Bungalow-Paxton Rd.
                                                          by Warren Richards
                                                          516 Gwynne Bldg.

LAWRENCEBURG INDIANA

Glendale Residences

MILFORD

The Irwin Homestead

MOUNT AUBURN

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Hillside homes German Consul's Residence

MOUNT HEALTHY

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A Mt. Healthy Residence

MOUNT WASHINGTON

Mear's Avenue

NORTHSIDE

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Cherry Street Pullen Avenue Andrew Jergens Residence. 1615 Bruce Ave.

Andrew Jergens (1852-1929) co-founded the Andrews Soap Company on Spring Grove Avenue. It was at one time the largest toilet soap factory in the world. In the 1890's Jergens moved into this 3 story Gothic style house on the corner of Hamilton and Bruce in Northside. This corner was known as "millionaires Corner" for the 4 wealthy businessmen who built homes there. His brother built his home on the southeast corner in 1895, Charles Geilfus secretary and treasurer of the Andrew Jergens Co. built on the northeast corner two years later. Charles Silverson, president of the Schlueter Cycle Manufacturing Co. lived on the fourth corner. The land at 1615 Bruce Avenue is now known as Jergens Park. After his son died, the house was torn down and the land donated to the City Park Board.

Anna & Andrew Jergens