USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > The past and present of Mill Creek Valley, being a collection of historical and descriptive sketches of that part of Hamilton County, Ohio > Part 8
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THE SUCCESS.
THE PLAT
Of the village was suggested by the way in which beautiful Glendale was laid out. It al- ways requires presence of mind to walk the avenues of Glendale when having a definite place in view. So sometimes here.
THE SUCCESS
Of this enterprise is not now a debatable ques- tion. The judgment, good taste, and fore- thought of these gentlemen, in fixing upon this location. has been justified by the eminent suc- cess that has crowned their efforts.
But it has been a prolonged if not an un- eventful voyage. Other similar enterprises have failed -were shipwrecked in the financial storms that have overswept this land since 1870. But this has weathered the storm. The little ship floats proudly to-day, full-rigged, in the harbor of yonder city.
Who was the Columbus that walked the' quarterdeck the while? That both piloted and commanded amid misgivings of friends and counselors-sometimes amid jeers and impre- cations ; who steadfastly looked into the future and saw the substance of things hoped
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MILL CREEK VALLEY.
for by many a contented resident of Hartwell in the possession of a home ; who kept steadily on his way until he finally discovered the port and entered the harbor and cast anchor- That clear, cool-headed man of faith, and hope, and work, was DANIEL DECAMP.
The building of this suburb has not been carried on to its triumphant success without the exercise of great will power and force of character ; without tireless toil of body and mind; without, at times, an aching head, and perchance, an aching heart-in a word, without generalship and all that the word implies.
His official associates ably advised, assisted and encouraged, but it is safe to say, that but for Mr. DANIEL DECAMP, as President of the Hamilton County House Building Associa- tion, Hartwell never would have been built. at least when it was, and clothed, as it is, in the simple majesty that now enrobes it as a suburb.
Once as he walked in meditation these pleas- ant avenues
-" A moment o'er his face A tablet of unutterable thoughts
Was traced ; and then it faded as it came."
One who saw him then imagined that he was
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MAPLEWOOD.
thinking of an ancient King who once walked upon the high, broad walls that encircled his capital in the distant plains of Shinar, and looking with conscious pride upon " Its tem- ples, its palaces, its fortresses, its brazen gates, its enamelled brick, its plated pillars, its huge embankments along the shores of the Eu- phrates, its artificial mountains, as high as the dome of St. Peter's, its ornamental architec- ture, its artificial lakes, and its lofty palaces, with its hanging gardens filled in successive terraces to the top of its walls, 300 feet high and 75 feet wide and enclosing 200 square miles," said to himself :
"Is not this great Babylon that I have built by the might of my power and for the honor of myself ?"
MAPLEWOOD.
This is the beautiful name given by Joseph F. Mills, Esq., to his popular sub-division. The boundaries are, Section avenue on the south, Burns avenue on the west, Mills ave- nue on the north and the Canal on the east, comprising about 100 acres. This was the old Sturgis farm, the homestead being the present residence of Mr. James S. Zerbe. That old
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Farm within 90 years, a wilderness, a farm, a suburb, caught in the eddying current of the all-embracing whirl-pool of Cincinnati !
This splendid property came wholly into the possession of Mr. Mills about twelve years ago. It was sub-divided in 1871. He has ex- pended by way of grading the streets and lots, in setting out shade and evergreen trees, since that time, (not to speak of the original invest- ment, the amount expended in building, and the cost of constant superintendence), more than $30,000. The conversion of this farm into this beautiful hamlet in so short a time is a marvel-such as can only be effective by the possession of wealth, and a judicious, artis- tic, tasteful use of it.
This suburb is located in the north-eastern part of the corporation of Hartwell. Wayne avenue passes through it on the east, from north to south : Burns avenue, from north to south on the west. Both railroads pass through it. The Maplewood Depot is on the north line. The taste of an artist, the touch of the landscape gardener, the skill of the architect, and the lavish expenditure of money, have all been employed to throw this splendid picture upon nature's canvas. Its wide-spead and enviable reputation as
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MAPLEWOOD.
a place for suburban homes is justified by the success of the undertaking, and by the class of citizens resident there.
Every street in this sub-division is graded and finished, set out with shade trees ten years old. Every lot, as yet unimproved, is orna- mented with elms and maples and evergreens. and carpeted with green grass.
The residences are tasteful and so varied in architectural designs, and so disposed as to produce the most pleasing effects. The view up Williams avenue from Lawn is one that recalls Euclid avenue in Cleveland. To stand at the intersection of Sturgis and Central avenue and look to the four points of the com- pass, is to obtain a view at once unique and beautiful. Lombardy poplars in their proces- sional alignment on either side of those ave- nues, and crossing each other at this point, seem like so many nodding plumes when stirred by the evening breeze. To the east may be seen the Reading Hills crowned by Notre Dame Convent; to the north Wayne Avenue M. E. Church and its duplicate spires ; to the west the pretty little Episcopal Church ; to the south, the new County Infirmary at Carthage. Maplewood is a consummate villa. As such it has isolation-individuality.
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Without fences, the houses seem to stand as in an immense park and in approaching it you naturally look for a magnificent Gate Lodge to mark the place of exit and of entrance.
It is canopied by the municipal corporation of Hartwell, and with respect to that it is sometimes called the Maplewood Ward.
But it nevertheless preserves and doubtless ever will maintain certain village characteris- tics-ever will be called Maplewood-ever will bear the impress of its founder and builder, whose taste conceived its plan and beautified it, and whose wealth enabled him, seemingly out of affection for his departed companion, to build this suburb as in some sense a monument to her memory upon the ancestral lands of MRS. JOSEPH F. MILLS.
THE BELL AND STEELE SUB-DIVISION.
This handsome sub-division is most advan- tageously surrounded-on the east Burns avenue; on the south Section avenue; on the east Glendale avenue; on the north the south corporation line of Wyoming.
A portion of this tract of ground was included in the farms belonging to the Carson heirs, Mr. Lohman, Warren Warner and Mr. Sharp- share.
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THE BELL AND STEELE SUB-DIVISION. 159
Some of the old buildings (re-modeled) are still standing as landmarks of a past genera- tion. Remnants of an old apple orchard ; evergreens, tall and aged, the old Sharpshare home-once a pretentious mansion-are some of the reminders of the days when the hus- band men went forth to scatter seed and gather the harvest from the rich and fruitful fields.
The encroaching suburb of Hartwell from the south ; bright young Maplewood springing into being on the east, and proud and wealthy Wyoming marching southward, so enhanced this property in value that attention was at length called to its desirability for sub-division into village lots. Schools, depots, churches were on every hand. There was an eye to see, and a head to plan, and a will to execute, and so in time this property passed under the control of the Merchants and Manufacturers Building Association, of which Charles M. Steele, Esq., was the head and front. Under .
his skilful and ceaseless supervision it has developed into the handsome property that it now is,-in the matter of graded and shaded streets, and in the construction of some of the most tasteful homes in the village. The Barger residence-elsewhere described-the Barton, Hornbrook, Blackburn, Marpe, Shu-
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mard, Wilson, Skardon and Decker residences, are upon it, as also the present pleasant home of Mr. Steele, who was the first mayor of Hartwell and served as such until spring of 1881, having been twice re-elected. His ad- ministration was characterized by zeal, fidelity and intelligence. Many of the public im- provements of the village were projected and consumated during his official career.
A RELIC.
Mr. Steele has in his possession a fluted col- umn preserved from the old Symmes mansion, built of blue limestone, and that, until recently, stood on the south-east corner of Pearl and Lawrence streets. It was one of the first-and perhaps the finest-houses built outside of the enclosures of old Fort Washington. In looking upon it, we could not but ask :
" Whose arch or pillar meets me in the face, Titus or Trajan's ? No, 'tis that of time : Triumph, arch, pillar, all he doth displace Scoffing."
THE PRESENT MUNICIPAL OFFICES
Are : Mayor, G. V. Stevenson ; Clerk, Theo-
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THE POPULATION. 161
dore Marpe ; Treasurer, Theudas Hoge ; Mar- shal, John W. Carey; Assistant Marshal, Adam Friend; Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures, Col. T. E. McNamara ; Council, Mich- ael Levoy, L. B. Hancock, L. S. Cumback, P. Y. Brown, John D. Burgess, and M. V. B. Weighell.
Capt. Marpe has served as clerk of this cor- poration since its organization. Promptitude, neatness, ability and affability have character- ized his management of the office.
THE TAX DUPLICATE.
The first cost of the grounds included in the lines of the corporation under the Symmes purchase, was 663 cents per acre, or about $267.00, assuming that there are exactly 400 acres. The tax duplicate for 1880 amounted to $351,352. It is safe to say that this is a low valuation.
THE POPULATION
Ascertained by the United States Census of 1880 and officially reported is 881. This in- cludes the territory in the sub-school district outside of the corporation.
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MILL CREEK VALLEY.
THE METHODIST CHURCH
Combines the Gothic and Swiss methods of architecture in its construction, for which it is much admired. Sometimes it is affectionately called " THE LITTLE BROWN CHURCH."
With accustomed forethought, President De Camp, of the Hamilton County House Building Association, reserved the park in the centre of the village for at least two churches, and their parsonages or rectories. The location of places of worship was in his mind in the be- ginning. So to this sacred reservation all the streets of Hartwell proper were made to con- verge.
When it was determined by the people of Hartwell and vicinity to build this church, that association, true to its implied promise, cheer- fully donated that portion of the park upon which it now stands, and contributed liberally to its construction.
It was completed about six years ago at a cost, including furniture, etc., of $7,000. And it is free from indebtedness, mortgage or other- wise.
We may not name all who have contributed so lavishly of their means for its erection, but we may justifiably say that the community and
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THE METHODIST CHURCH.
that congregation owe the conception and con- struction of so beautiful a temple, at that time, to the munificent contribution and tireless en- deavors in its behalf of CHARLES M. STEELE, EsQ. He launched that ship of faith.
Yet there was a rock in the way of its spirit- ual progress : it was heavily mortgaged. But at length that was cancelled from the records ; and it was the liberal proposition of the mort- gagee, superinduced by the friendly interposi- tion of Mr. Steele, that made the final liquida- tion of the indebtedness possible. It was the crowning work of the three years pastorate of the Rev. J. F. Conrey to raise the money, through the prompt and liberal response of the community, with which to pay and to dis- charge this great burden.
Rev. H. C. Weakley is now pastor in charge.
THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY
Has a lovely and accessible location on the south-east corner of Burns and Central avenues. In point of architectural design it is a baffling study. Therefore we say that it is incomparably beautifully grotesque as to its exterior ; while within there is a dim religious light over altar and chancel and pews,
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filling the aisles and the fretted vault. It is in- deed a solemn little chapel, most befittingly adapted to the worship of Him who is invisi- ble. The upbuilding of this little pearl colored church with so little effort, and so speedily, is the source of "divine surprise " both to its communicants and to the community. The entire cost was about $3,000, which has been paid. Not a dollar of incumbrance is upon it. It is therefore in the broadest sense dedicated to the worship of God. The ground upon which it stand, was donated by Joseph .F. Mills, Esq.
" Ah, well ! God grant, when with aching feet, We tread life's last few paces,
That we may hear some accents sweet, And kiss to the end fond faces. God grant that this tired flesh may rest, (Mid many a musing mourner, )
While the sermon is preached, and the rites are read, In no church where the heart of love is dead, But in some sweet nook where God's confessed- Some little church round the corner."
The official board consists of the following named gentlemen :
Mr. Michael Levoy, H. H. Tatem, Esq. Mr. F. M. Whitelaw, W. F. Armstrong, Esq. Dr. C. R. Taft. George Ward, Esq. Rev. J. H. Ely, Rector.
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THE HARTWELL DEPOT.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Is in a most flourishing condition. The school building, consisting of three large rooms, but still inadequate to the wants of the community, is located on a shaded lot on North Crescent avenue. The trustees have adopted the Cin- cinnati method of gradations. The last yearly examination was highly creditable both to teachers and pupils. The enrollment was 114, and the average per cent. of scholarship above 70 was 81.7.
Prof. J. Harry Lowe is at present principal.
The following gentlemen compose the School Board :
Col. T. E. McNamara, Maj. Geo. W. Cormany, Mr. Michael Levoy.
THE HARTWELL DEPOT.
On the C. H. & D. Railroad, is located at the intersection of Burns and Cilley avenues, and at the western terminus of Park avenue. This depot is considered one of the most conveni- ent *and comfortable within, and attractive without, on any of the railroads leading to the city.
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MILL CREEK VALLEY.
It cost about $4,000, this fund being con- tributed in about equal shares by the late Judge Cilley, and the Hamilton County House Build- ing Association. The plan was drawn by Mr. Daniel DeCamp, who superintended its con- struction.
Mr. J. N. Bachelor is the agent in charge, and it is due him to say that he faithfully at- tends to his duties.
Its waiting rooms, especially for ladies, are made inviting by the keen oversight of Mrs. Bachelor. People who are about to take the train, as a rule, do not fully appreciate the efforts put forth to make their hasty call agree- able ; but nevertheless, there should always be a manifest appreciation of an incessant effort, on the part of our station agents, to make us comfortable while making this enforced call upon them.
MAPLEWOOD DEPOT
Was built originally by Mr. Joseph F. Mills. It is a model structure with pleasant waiting- rooms in the first, and living apartments in the second story.
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Chapman are in charge, and are attentive and accommodating to pas-
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THE LEVOY PLACE.
sengers, and keep the place in the most credit- able manner. Flower beds nestle close to each end of the building, and a little park extends to the south. This depot also accommodates the lower portion of Wyoming. Many com- muters and their families who live just across the corporation line in Wyoming regularly take the trains at this station.
THE LEVOY PLACE,
Known as "Valley View," is the home of MR. and MRS. MICHAEL LEVOY. The house, in the nomenclature of architects, would doubtless be classified as a " Structural Park Residence." It stands upon a lot of surpassing beauty, fronting 200 feet on the south side of Park avenue, and extending back 365 feet, enclos- ing about two acres.
This miniature park is under as high a state of cultivation as it is possible to bring that much of the surface of the earth. A stroll around and through it, gives to the beholder impressions of " the distant aiden" that do not eva lish as dreams do. The architect may here find a pleasurable and profitable study. The Botanist, in gazing on the mignionette, the camillia, the eglatine and the lily, will
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MILL CREEK VALLEY.
experience a joy greater than that found in the " pathless woods" Amidst such a scene, one can hear Ruskin saying: "Flowers are intended for the solace of humanity; chil- dren love them ; quiet, tender, contented people love them as they grow. They are the cot- tager's treasures ; and in the crowded town, mark, as with a little broken fragment of rain- bow, the windows of the workers in whose hearts rests the covenant of peace."
The Epicure beholds the clusterful vine embowering its arbor-home ; the Ribes Rubrum in reserve in each nook and corner, or mar- shalled in red ranks ; the ambushed strawberry and " the esculent tuber"; the purple plum, . the hawthorn, the apple and the apricot.
Within that cultured home, the poet and the painter, the musician and the litterateur will meet with welcome and find companionship. Its richly papered and profusely pictured walls, the tufted carpets, the festooned windows, the books, the music and the maze of rooms, con- spire to make it as lovely a home as heart could wish.
When the mellow radiance of moon and stars falls upon VALLEY VIEW, the falling waters of Lindaraxa are only wanting to completely realize Irving's immitable description of a moonlight night in Andalusia.
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THE TATEM RESIDENCE.
THE TATEM RESIDENCE
Presents a beautiful type of the American Cottage Villa-an architectural gem set and sequestered beneath old elms and beeches, and amid rare plants and shrubbery. The house is approached along a carriage way, so beset with trees that you do not fully take in its lovely outlines and situation until you are nearly up to it. "The Beeches" is the chosen name of this pretty place, and is owned and occupied by CAPT. AND MRS. H. H. TATEM. The elegant Barber mansion adjoins it on the south, and Spinning's splendid grounds on the north. It fronts on Woodbine avenue, the ground rising to the west,
" Where blossoms many an incense bearing tree ; And here are beeches, ancient as the hills, Infolding sunny spots of greenery."
Passing the threshold, the eye falls upon solid gold papered walls; upon floors con- cealed beneath elegant druggets ; upon win- dows curtained by costly laces ; upon pictures and paintings, choice and rare; mottoed mantles carved in wood and resting upon delicately tiled hearthstone; upon statuary in bronze and Parian marble; upon books,
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adapted to the taste of the literary epicure, whether poet, philosopher, scientist, or states- man ; the lover of history or romance.
Once-
" It was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember Wrought its ghost upon the floor."-
The guest of the evening wheeled a cushioned seat in front of the slumberous grate,
" Then into the velvet sinking He betook himself to linking, Fancy unto fancy thinking,- With his head at ease reclining On the cushions velvet lining That the lamplight gloated o'er."
THE STEVENSON PLACE,
In style, is the Gothic Villa Americanized, and is the elegant home of CoL. G. V. STEV- ENSON, Mayor of Hartwell. It is located on the corner of Park and Eastern avenues, front- ing south and east. The tont ensemble of the residence can not be here advantageously described. It is a painting from a master's hand.
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THE STEVENSON PLACE.
The lawn is bedecked with flowers and enlivened with their varied colors. Here are grouped the Arbor Vita, the Spruce, the Pine and the Hemlock: there the Cornus Aba, the Spirea, the Deutzia and the Japonica; here the maple and the elm cast their blended shadows on the ground ; and there the apple and cherry and pear let their ripening fruitage fall upon the lap of earth.
Amidst such a scene the house rises like a ยท thing of beauty, with its exterior outline broken by porches and piazzas, by hooded and bay windows, by frieze and architrave and cornice. The painting is exquisite-the colors so blend- ing from old gold to Indian red as to charm the eye. This home is distinguished for its interior decorations, especially in the line of artistic wall paper. Marston's "raw silk and tapestry copies," " embossed and gilt," are called into requisition. Costly pictures, paintings, bron- zes, plaques, &c., selected with consummate taste, profusely abound. Books and periodicals and papers load the tables and shelves.
" Around that hearth by night What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the ruddy light.
Then woman's voice flows forth in song, Or childish tale is told, Or lips mouc mournfully along The warrior's woes to unfold.
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THE STEELE RESIDENCE
Is the handsome home of MR. AND MRS. CHARLES M. STEELE. It is situated on the south-west corner of Highland and Burns avenues, having a beautiful eastern view to the front, and indeed, in all directions. The lot is in a high state of cultivation, being orna- mented with flower beds and young shade trees, and having a sward as level as a floor. This property has great advantages as to loca- , tion, it being but a square from the Maplewood depot. The Episcopal Church is immediately south of it; the southern corporation line of Wyoming is within one square to the north ; while to the north extends Burns avenue through the prettiest part of Wyoming. The churches and public schools of that village are but a remove from it, and the splendid resi- dence of Loring Hinsdale, Esq., and Major Armstrong are in close proximity.
Along Burns avenue, carriages, phaetons, and all kinds of pleasure equipages, are con- stantly passing, thus rendering that location a public and yet a pleasurable one.
The house has an attractive appearance without, and seems to wear a cheerful smile. The arrangement within is faultless for the
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THE WICK RESIDENCE.
size of the house. Its walls are beautifully papered and an air of taste and refinement per- vades it.
The transformation of this acre of farmland into the cultured lawn and tasteful dwelling place, in so short a time, is another instance illustrative of the magical growth of our valley.
" I would have, then, our ordinary dwelling houses built to last and built to be lovely ; as rich and full of pleasantness as may be within and without, with such differences as might suit and express each man's character and oc- cupation and partly his history; raising thus the habitation into a kind of monument, and developing that good custom which was of old universal and which still remains with some of the Swiss and Germans, of acknowledging God's permission to build and possess a quiet resting place." -
THE WICK RESIDENCE
Has a pleasant location between South Cres- cent and Oak avenues, extending from one to the other.
This comfortable, unpretentious house was built by the Hamilton County House Building Association, and is now occupied by MR. AND MRS. C. C. WICK.
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The two railroads between which it is lo- cated, seem to converge in its front, thus adding this stirring feature to the lovely land- scape. The steeples, domes and towers of the fair grounds, gas hall, school buildings, churches, state and county charitable institu- tions, rise majestically in view among and above the rich, dark-green foliage of trees, the whole forming a wonderful scene, and a source of the purest pleasure when contemplated from the shaded porch of his village home.
The chief feature within doors is the classical musical library. Here Mendelssohn, Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, Liszt, and other great composers, live and move and have their - being, in their deathless harmonies.
" Here music dwells,
Lingering and wandering on, as loth to die, Like thoughts whose very sweetness yieldeth proof That they were born for immortality."
Madame De Stael said that " architecture is frozen music." . Be it so.
The music of these great composers, within many and many a humble home, compensates largely for the absence of the frozen frieze and congealed cornice without.
Companionship with these song masters ;
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THE WEIGHELL RESIDENCE.
led by them through tuneful worlds of their creation, and thrilled by strains, forever new, that fall from their divine harps, it is no won- der that one of earth's greatest poets sighed-
" O that I were the viewless spirit of a lovely sound ; A living voice, a breathing harmony ! Born and dying with the blest tone that made me."
It is no marvel that, possessing their works, the quiet leader of the village band should so- liloquise with the rightful Duke of Milan :
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