USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The suburbs of Cincinnati : sketches, historical and descriptive > Part 3
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While there are fewer buildings in Clifton than in other suburbs, there is also more difference in size and value. The extremes are the neat cottage, with its airy verandas and witching vines and flowers, and the palatial resi- dence, with massive walls, and porches, and imposing tower, upon which wealth has freely used the skill of the best mechanics and artists, and to adorn which the galleries of Europe have been made to pay tribute. The tender plant that bears its tiny flowers and scents the air with its delicate perfume bears quite as necessary a part in the landscape as the great forest tree, under whose branches flocks and herds find shelter from the storm.
Clifton avenue, throughout its entire length, and Lafayette avenue, from the former to the property of Mrs. Bowler, has on one side an asphaltum pavement as solid and beautiful as can anywhere be found.
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
DESCRIPTION.
Beginning at the south end of Clifton avenue, there is first on the east side the residence of James Andrews, a substantial structure, facing both the south and west. On the south, the building is broad, and is approached through a porte cochere, which leads immediately into the base of the tower, through which the main part of the edifice is entered. There is, west of the tower, along the south part, a veranda, and on the upper side of the west front a substantial porch, supported by heavy freestone pillars. The building has freestone quoins, and trimmings generally of the same material. His house, being well back toward Brookline avenue, is approached from Clifton avenue through an extensive lawn well planted with shrubbery and evergreens, and adorned with flowers.
Glenway passes along the north line of Mr. Andrews' tract, which comprises fourteen acres, beyond which, on Clifton avenue, are the beautiful premises of Captain James Bugher. His dwelling fronts on the avenue ; has small gables looking to the south, and a light veranda along the entire front. The grounds are tasteful, well shaded with forest trees, embellished with flowers and statuary, and intersected by gravel and shell walks and drives, and contain a good conservatory. The dwelling was erected, about the year 1852, by William B. Shattuck and A. G. Richardson.
Nearly opposite Captain Bugher is the residence of Theodore Cook, erected about fifteen years ago, This is a noble edifice, with tower on the south, and spacious veranda on the lower front. The grounds through which the buildings are approached by a circular graveled drive, are handsomely embellished with forest trees, evergreens, shrubbery and flowers. In the lawn, which is broad and beautiful, are several pieces of statuary. Grace- ful young maples skirt the drives, and the whole premises, of four acres, are decidedly tasteful and beautiful.
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Clifton.
On the east side of the avenue, adjoining Captain Bugher on the north, is the home of B. B. Whiteman, who has been alluded to as among the early Cincinnatians who sought Clifton. Mr. Whiteman purchased these grounds of six acres in 1843. The following year he began to spend the summer here with his family, and continued thus until 1850, when he removed permanently, and has resided in Clifton since. Mr. Whiteman's residence is without ostentation, yet roomy, convenient and pleasant. On the south he has a broad, airy veranda, that looks out upon a thick growth of forest trees, interspersed with evergreens and flowers, with which his premises abound.
Nearly opposite Mr. Whiteman, on the west side of the avenue, is the residence of Robert Hosea, built about twenty years ago by Reuben Resor. This is a spacious edifice, occupying a position which commands a desirable view to the east. It has a broad gable on the lower half of the main front, immediately north of which rises a tower. Through the latter the main edifice is entered. On the south is a veranda looking upon Resor avenue, which passes along his south line. Mr. Hosea has eight acres of land, numerous forest trees, well-grown evergreens, and plenty of flowers, besides a tasteful and roomy conservatory.
North of Mr. Hosea is the Wood estate, that extends well back along Central avenue, which bounds it on the north.
On the east side of the avenue, nearly opposite the latter premises, is the comfortable, cozy home of Gazzam Gano, with tower and veranda. This was erected on a lot of six acres, about five years ago. The yard, which is well stocked with shade trees, shrubbery and flowers, is yet undergoing improvements that will make Mr. Gano's location still more attractive.
In some respects there is no more desirable place in Clifton than that of William Resor, which bounds Mr. Gano's on the north. He has about thirty acres of land that lie in graceful waves, and extend back to the Car- thage road on the east. Mr. Resor came here about the year 1844, so that he may be considered one of the Clifton pioneers. His house has been
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
erected about twenty-two years; but such additions and changes have been made that its former self, with the Mansard roof and broad verandas, is scarcely discernible, But Mr. Resor's house is not the chief attrac- tion. His charming grounds are the crowning beauty of his premises. The long and graceful drive from the south of his dwelling; the noble forest trees ; numerous and rare evergreens, and the broad lawn, covered with the richest tapestry of nature's loom, and interspersed with the choicest flowers and plants, captivate the spectator at once. What, per- haps, gives increased interest to these premises, is the proximity of the graceful Calvary Church, which is on a lot from the north-west corner of Mr. Resor's place. Few churches in the country have the symmetry of this charming little temple, whose slender freestone spire, as if reaching for heavenly benedictions, lifts its faultless form above the surrounding vil- lage, and challenges the admiration of all who take pleasure in beautiful architectural designs.
On the north-west corner of Clifton and Central avenues is the public school building and hall, immediately adjoining which are the premises of A. C. Neave. Mr. Neave has about six acres of beautiful, rolling land, and has a substantial and comfortable residence, erected in 1867, on the site of a building which had been destroyed by fire.
Adjoining this on the north is J. Lloyd Wayne's, which, like Mr. Resor's, is enough for a small farm. Mr. Wayne has about thirty-five acres. Upon one of the handsomest elevations he has erected a dwelling, with a center observatory and veranda. His house is approached by a circular drive, which embraces a fine lawn. From Mr. Wayne's place, good views of Mt. Auburn and other suburbs are procured, and glimpses of distant landscapes are caught over the hill-tops and through the openings in the forest trees.
North of Mr. Wayne's is William Gibson's, of sixteen acres. The edifice is a large one, erected four years ago, with veranda on the south and along a portion of the front. Mr. Gibson, like hi- neighbor, has a good graveled drive, and a superb view of Avondale and the country to the cast.
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Clifton.
Thomas Sherlock's premises consist of nine acres of land, and a resi- dence erected about thirteen years ago. The latter has a tower and veranda on the south and along a portion of the east front. His lawn is covered with a beautiful green sward and embellished with flowers. While he looks out upon his own handsome improvements, he enjoys the beau- tiful landscapes in which this locality is so rich.
Opposite the two latter places, on the east side of the avenue, are the premises of Flamen Ball, who has also been mentioned as one of the Clif- ton pioneers. Mr. Ball has twenty acres of land that sweep away to the east, and a very eligible location for his dwelling, which is one of the ear- liest erected in Clifton.
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North of Mr. Ball's is James Espy's, a delightful home, surrounded by light verandas and covered with flowers and climbing vines. The lot is about one acre and a half in extent, well covered with trees, shrubbery and flowers, and distinguished throughout for its quiet beauty. This is owned by Mr. DeLand, but Mr. Espy has recently purchased four acres immediately north of Calvary Church, upon which he will soon erect a dwelling no less attractive than the one he now occupies.
Following the avenue northwardly, next comes, on the right, the place of Charles M. Buchanan, consisting of forty-four acres, at the terminus of Clifton avenue. Of all the locations about Clifton, there is, perhaps, no one that equals Mr. Buchanan's for the extent of its beautiful landscapes.
The family mansion, which has so long been the hospitable residence of Robert Buchanan, is immediately upon the brow of the hill, and looks out upon the extensive and elegant improvements of Clifton, Mt. Auburn and Avondale, on the one hand, and the Millcreek Valley, with its varied spectacle of village and farm, cultivated field and distant forest-covered hill on the other. Mr. Buchanan's place is one with which the eye does not tire. Nature spreads here a continual feast, and varies it from day to day to suit our capricious tastes. This residence was erected by Robert Buchanan, who now occupies it, in 1843. Since that time additions and improvements have been made to increase the capacity of the house and
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
render it a pleasanter home. It is embraced by verandas which command superb views of the surrounding landscapes, and look out upon the culti- vated and handsomely-improved grounds. Fine forest and fruit trees, evergreens and rare flowers everywhere greet the eye, and indicate the cul- tivated taste and untiring industry that have transformed these once rough hills into a home of such beauty. Mr. Buchanan has a large number of fruit trees, and cultivates the grape quite extensively. The family resi- dence is approached over a graveled drive that winds among well-grown evergreens and young forest trees. Charles M. Buchanan lives in a little valley which is crossed in approaching the highlands of the farm. He has a tasteful cottage, which he fitted up four years ago. This is surrounded with shrubbery and well-improved grounds, and has a lakelet near by, fed by springs, and well stocked with fish. To Mr. Buchanan's other attrac- tions has recently been added a tasteful conservatory, which is well stocked with flowers.
Allusion has now been made to all the well-improved property upon Clifton avenue, with the exception of that of C. W. DeLand, who has sey- enteen acres on the south-west corner of Clifton and Lafayette avenues. The house built high above the surrounding lands, and approached by a stairway which ascends the green terrace, was built by Winthrop B. Smith many years ago. The forest trees and thick foliage through which the drive winds quite hide the building from view, until it is discovered by a near approach.
As has been stated elsewhere, Clifton avenue terminates on the north in Crescent and Lafayette avenues, Immediately at the head of the ave- nue stood the old Episcopal Church, recently converted into a tasteful resi- dence by Gazzam Gano, and at present occupied by Wm. P. Neff. Imme- diately to the rear of this, and bounded by both Crescent and Lafayette avenues, are the premises of J. B. Bennett, consisting of forty-one acres of land and a handsome residence of ample dimensions. This edifice was erected about the year 1854, and was purchased by Mr. Bennett of Judge McLean. Mr. Bennett's lands are a portion of the long stretch of high-
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Clifton.
lands which overlook Millcreek Valley, and sweep around westwardly in easy curves until passing Mr. Bowler's place, where they turn sharply to the south. All these locations are of the most beautiful character. They begin in Clifton with Mr. Buchanan's premises, and continue around to the residence of Mrs. Bowler. These sites are very much the same. They are varied somewhat by the forest trees and ornamental gardening, but all preserve a common lookout to the Millcreek Valley and distant highlands beyond. Mr. Bennett has an abundance of original forest trees, well- improved grounds and a large conservatory.
Adjoining on the west, as one passes up Lafayette avenue, is the resi- dence of the late Griffin Taylor, which, since his death, has continued to be occupied by his family. The house was erected by H. W. Derby, in 1855, who, in that year, paid about $1,000 per acre for the land, which, twelve years before, had been sold by the Lafayette Bank for $65. These grounds, eighteen acres in extent, are handsomely laid out and kept in excellent repair. As you approach them from the avenue, you are con- fronted by thick foliage which quite hides the beautiful premises until you are well within the enclosure; then, as you turn to right or left, the broad lawn suddenly bursts upon you with its green carpet, its old forest trees, and beautiful shrubbery and flowers. This place enjoys the lookout to the west and north, the same as the neighboring tracts.
Adjoining the Taylor property on the west are the residence and grounds of John W. Ellis. The latter consist of twenty-one acres, handsomely laid out, with broad circular drive, grand native forest trees, many of the forest trees of England and other countries, besides a fine variety of evergreens. Mr. Ellis' lawn, which is one of the most beautiful in Clifton, is laid out so as to appear to the best advantage, and is kept in admirable order. He has a very tasteful flower garden, and in front of his premises a very fine hedge, with half-grown forest trees planted at regular intervals along the avenue. The house, which was erected by W. B. Smith, about fifteen years ago, is of the Italian villa style, with verandas on three sides of the main building.
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
It has a convenient interior arrangement, ample room, a general appear- ance of comfort and repose, and a magnificent prospect to the northward.
On the same side of Lafayette avenue, and immediately adjoining Mr. Ellis, are the premises of Henry Probasco. They are the finest in the sub- urbs of Cincinnati. The grounds are spacious and varied in their attrac- tions, and the house rich in all that delights the eye.
In 1857 Mr. Probasco purchased land on the opposite side of the avenue, and began its improvement. It soon, however, became apparent that the place would not equal his expectations, so that, in the following year, he purchased, for $25,000, the thirty acres upon which his palatial residence now stands, and at once began his preparations for improvement. Having selected an architect, William Tinsley, and determined upon plans, he began, in 1859, the erection of his house. This continued through several years, and was finally completed in 1866. It is constructed of blue limestone. The quoins, angles and buttresses are of freestone, each piece of which is hammer-marked to make it harmonize with the rough limestone. The walls are of rubble-work, the face of the stone having been untouched by chisel or hammer.
The general style of the house is Anglo-Norman. It is one hundred and twenty feet long by seventy feet in width, fronting southwardly. In front is a massive stone terrace, which extends the entire length of the building. The house is entered through a magnificent stone porch, with elegant Nor- man arches. At the north-east end of the edifice is a porte cochere, con- structed of freestone, and the building is surmounted by a round tower, which springs from the walls of the main stairway. The whole external appearance of the building is one of spaciousness without useless room, of dignity without coldness, of variety without the loss of harmony.
Running through the building from the main porch is the grand hall, seventy by fifteen feet. This is wainscoted with oak, cedar and white pine, and ceiled with white pine and oak. These materials are all finished in the highest degree.
Intersecting the main hall on the right, as you enter the building from
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Clifton.
the front, is a side hall, capacious, though of less width than the principal one, This leads directly to the porte cochere. From this hall two large arched doors lead, the one to the north into the library, the other to the south into the parlor. The library is thirty-five by twenty-five feet, termin- ating on the north in a spacious bay window. The walls, shelves and sides are of cedar, and the air is loaded with the grateful perfume of the wood. The books are contained on shelves that are intersected at short intervals by oak columns. The latter are surmounted by capitals of solid oak, upon which are exquisitely carved representative leaves and flowers of the flora of this country. From these columns spring arches which contain niches for busts and statuettes. All the panels of the room are red cedar, while the ceiling is frescoed in harmony with the architectural character of the room. The library table is constructed of the best quality of oak, carved in an elaborate and unique manner, and is a masterpiece of art.
Immediately opposite the library is the parlor, a room thirty by twenty- four feet, entered from the side hall through a massive circular doorway of exquisite workmanship. The room itself, independent of its expensive pic- tures, its rare mosaics and its superb furniture, is a work of art. The cor- nice is of varied finish, and in the ceiling there is a wonderful combination of colors and shades. This room contains two massive bay windows, which are approached through arches of oak supported by highly-polished pillars of the same material. The soffit of the arch in the front bay window is embellished throughout its length with a representation of the honeysuckle carved in oak, which is a work of rare perfection, The capitals of the pil- lars are also carved to harmonize with the remainder of the work.
The reception room, dining room and bed chambers are all in unison with the remainder of the house. The stairway is a superb design and a tri- umph of mechanical skill. The wood-work of the kitchen and laundry, like the remainder of the house, even to the sash of the windows, is of solid oak.
Mr. Probasco's ample grounds are in keeping with the house erected upon them. The improvement of them was begun immediately after the pur-
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
chase ; and the present perfect state, with the gentle slopes, the gradual rise and fall of the surface, has been attained by years of labor and large expend- iture. Deep ravines have been filled, elevations cut down and inequal- ities reconciled, until the present grounds bear no resemblance to their con- dition ten years ago. Besides the beautiful lawns which surround Mr. Pro- basco's residence, he has almost every thing in the shape of shade and orna- mental trees. In addition to the forest trees of our own country, he has a large collection of foreign beech, ash, oak, elm and maple, and a valuable collection of evergreens, gathered from various countries of the globe. The Pyrenees, the Himalayas and the Rocky Mountains have each made their contribution.
Besides these, Mr. Probasco has a rosarium, in which he has four thou- sand roses. He has also a beautiful collection of variegated-leaf plants and hardy shrubs, together with many hardy ferns. This is a meager descrip- tion of the floral beauties of this place. If space would permit, there could be given a formidable list of plants and flowers which the forests and gar- dens of the world have contributed.
In addition to other treasures, Mr. Probasco has been quietly but rapidly collecting one of the richest and most valuable libraries in the United States, and adorning his residence with some of the most expensive and meritorious works of art ever brought to this country.
Before entering the house, we meet upon the terrace Kiss's Amazon, in bronze. Of these there are but three in existence: the colossal one before the palace in Berlin, one in possession of the King of Prussia, and the one here alluded to, purchased of the widow of the artist by Mr. Probasco, during his recent visit to Europe.
In marble, there are "San Souci," by Ives; "Reading Girl," by Magni; "Cordelia," a bust of exquisite workmanship, by Conolly; the "Reading Girl," by Tantardini; "Innocence," by Prof. Fedi, of Florence; "Ruth," by Rogers.
In addition to these are splendid mosaics, one of them representing Rome from the forum to the Coliseum-a work of unusual excellence.
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Clifton.
There are also two Mosaic tables-one Roman and the other Florentine- which are rare and expensive works of art.
To the superb gallery of paintings, comprising some of the most costly and beautiful ever brought to this country, no more than a passing notice can be given.
The library is filled with books of remote antiquity, as well as many volumes, attractive and useful, of modern times. It contains nearly one hundred copies of the various editions of the Bible, a few of which are upon vellum, comprising those in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, English, German, French, Irish, etc.
The collection is particularly rich in early illuminated manuscripts, com- mencing with a matchless copy of the Greek Testament of the twelfth cen- tury. It also contains exquisite and rare Missals of the thirteenth, four- teenth and fifteenth centuries; the earliest printed copies of the Old and New Testaments; a magnificent Latin Bible, printed on vellum, in Venice, in 1480; the first Bible printed in Greek, by Aldus, in 1518; rare and complete English Bibles, of 1539, 1541, 1549, 1568, 1585, and splendid copies of the present version of 1611; the " Holie Bible, conteynyng the Old Testament and the Newe," of 1568, called the Bishop's Bible, and the magnificent Poly- glot of Walton, in eight volumes. The collection is likewise richi in the vari- ous editions of Shakespeare, commencing with a very valuable first folio of 1623, as well as the works of Dante, beginning with the superb folio of 1481, containing nineteen copper-plates. Copper-plates were used in print- ing in that year for the first time. Then there are at least one hundred and fifty copies of the earliest printing, among them specimens of the ear- liest of Aldine, Elzevir and Pynson, and coming down to the most superb specimens of modern times, including copies of works that took the medals at the French Exposition, to which may be added rare specimens of rich and expensive binding. Natural history, too, is specially represented in this collection. Here are found Audubon's Birds, elephant folio, Gould's Hum- ming-birds, etc., besides a rare collection of illustrated works generally.
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
From this enumeration, meager as it is, the reader may form an idea of the richness of this collection of literature and art. To it might be added almost indefinitely books, works of art, souvenirs and curiosities. Among the latter is found the gold medal which the King of Prussia gave Hum- boldt. This, by the will of that illustrious man, passed to one of his ser- vants, who sold it to Asher & Co., booksellers of Berlin, from whom it was purchased by Mr. Probasco.
To complete the rare attractions of Mr. Probasco's place, he enjoys to the full extent the splendid panorama of the valley to the northward from his residence; thus combining in one home, the sublime attractions of nature with the rich contributions of literature and art.
Adjoining Mr. Probasco's on the west are the premises of George K. Shoenberger. Mr. Shoenberger has forty acres of land, the general char- acteristics of which are not unlike the remainder of the locations that are found on the brow of this hill-Mr. Shoenberger, however, having for his house the advantage of a location upon a spur, that gives him a superb out- look. He selected for the new residence which he is now finishing a part of his lands admirably adapted to the purpose. The ground falls suddenly to the south-west and north, leaving the house on the point of a long spur run- ning from the east.
The edifice will be one of the most expensive and beautiful within the suburbs of Cincinnati. The style of the building is Gothic, of the Frenchi (lomestic order. The work is approaching completion under the superin- tendence of the architect, James K. Wilson. The house is built of blue limestone, with freestone trimmings of an elaborate character. The walls are uncoursed ashlar work. The entire building is one hundred and twenty-six feet in length by one hundred and twenty-six feet in width. This is the measurement from the outer points. The area of the ground floor is about ten thousand square feet. The building faces the north, and is entered through a magnificent cut-stone porch, twelve by eighteen feet, that opens immediately to the main hall, which is twenty feet wide and twenty-six feet deep. This hall leads to a lateral one, ten by fifty-two feet,
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Clifton.
and is continuous with one running south, ten feet wide by fifty-seven feet in length. The main hall is open to the roof, with a gallery around it at the second story. This is to be paneled, richly frescoed and open-timbered at the ceiling. The main hall opens to the parlor, on the right-a room forty feet long by twenty-seven feet wide. The front of this room consists of two magnificent bay windows. On the left of the hall is the library, eighteen by twenty-six feet, to be finished to correspond with the remainder of the building. In the lateral hall, to which allusion has been made, will be the grand stairway. It will consist of two flights, approaching each other from opposite ends of the hall to a common landing, from which return flights will conduct to the second story. This arrangement will be unique and beautiful. The same hall communicates with the picture gallery, which is immediately on the south. The latter will be fifty feet in length by twenty- five in width; it will have a ceiling not less than twenty feet in hight, and be finished in a style to best serve the purposes for which it is to be used. Connecting with the main hall on the right will be a billiard room twenty by thirty feet, and, on the left, a dining room, eighteen by twenty-five feet, the latter connecting with a breakfast room by two sets of double doors. The porte cochere, sixteen by twenty-six feet, will be constructed almost entirely of cut freestone, and, in architectural beauty, will not be inferior to any other part of the building. The ceilings of the lower floor are fifteen feet in hight; of the second floor, fourteen feet. The arrangement of the rooms of the second floor conforms generally to that of the first. The bed chambers will be large, and furnished with all the modern conven- iences. The basement will contain kitchen, laundry, etc., with ample cel- lars. The general finish of the building inside will be very elaborate and picturesque. Hard woods will enter largely into the composition, and the best materials will be used throughout. The building is covered with slate. The main tower, rising from the end of the west hall, is fourteen by twenty feet, with staircase-turret attached. The whole rises eighty feet from the ground.
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