USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The suburbs of Cincinnati : sketches, historical and descriptive > Part 5
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At the same meeting it was also determined to make an attempt to rebuild. Energetic efforts were at once put forth, and within a few months a new building arose out of the ashes of the old, far exceeding it in beauty of architecture and convenience of arrangement.
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College Hill.
The new building is constructed of brick, with freestone quoins and trimmings, tower and Mansard roof. The style is composite. The build- ing has, including the basement, four stories, and consists of three divis- ions-the central sixty by sixty-five feet, and two wings forty by fifty feet each. In the central part are the reception room, library and reading rooms, offices of president, superintendent, board of trustees, etc. These are all in the basement and on the first floor.
In the north wing, occupying both the basement and the first floor, is the chapel, the full size of the wing. The remainder of the first floor is devoted to recitation and society rooms. In the south wing, in the basement is the dining room, the full size of that wing. The rest of the building is used for dormitories. Each room is large enough for two young ladies, and has one or two windows hung with venetian blinds, with transom in the door, and a complete system of ventilation. Running around the entire building, on each floor, save where interrupted by the chapel and dining room, are corridors, eight feet wide, by which all the dormitories are brought into direct and convenient communication with the chapel and recitation rooms. The rooms for the teachers are so arranged as to command a full view of the corridor with which they are connected. Each floor is provided with water closets, and the bath rooms are supplied with hot and cold water. The entire building is heated by steam generated in a separate building, and the cook- ing is done in an apartment removed from the main structure, so that there is no fire whatever about the building. Fire plugs and hose are provided on each floor, so that a recurrence of the late calamity will hardly be pos- sible. The building is lighted with gas, and furnished with all the modern conveniences.
The tower is called the Alumna Tower, each graduate of the institution having furnished one of the stone quoins that enter into its construction. This is surmounted by an observatory, and the roof of the center building is surrounded by an iron balustrade, in order to allow the area to be used for promenading.
The grounds surrounding the building consist of seventeen acres of hand-
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
somely-rolling lands, with well-grown forest, shade and ornamental trees, and an artificial lake.
In 1868 Rev. N. C. Burt, D.D., was elected to the presidency of the institution. His well-known abilities, varied attainments, high character and excellent reputation, all combined to make the selection one of singular fitness, and to secure the success of the college under his administration.
AVENUES.
The principal streets are the old Hamilton road, now called Hamilton avenue, and Colerain avenue, which leaves the Hamilton road at the site of the old Cary's Academy. The former is sixty feet wide, well macadam- ized, and has graveled sidewalks, ten feet in width, finished as far north as Linden avenue. Colerain avenue, which bears off to the west from Ham- ilton avenue, is fifty feet wide. The streets are macadamized and sidewalks constructed generally eight feet in width. Running across from Hamilton to Colerain avenue, immediately opposite Farmers' College, is Locust ave- nue, recently well graded and macadamized. On the north side of this is the post-office and two or three dwellings, while on the south is a beautiful locust grove of perhaps two acres. The next avenue, on the north, run- ning east and west, is Laurel, fifty feet in width. Running parallel with this is Maple avenue, sixty feet wide. Next is Cedar avenue, the western part of which was laid out in 1866. Nearly all of these new avenues have young shade trees upon either side, affording already an earnest of the com- fort and beauty which are ultimately to be enjoyed in this part of College Hill. Last, on the north, is North Bend road, which runs east and west on the section line, and is the northern boundary of the village. About a fourth of a mile from the western limits of the corporation, Knight avenue, formerly Badgley road, intersects, at right angles, North Bend road. This avenue runs south, and intersects Colerain avenue, near the residence of Mr. Knight. The lands in this locality have all been laid off in large lots, upon which the owners contemplate the erection of dwellings at no distant day.
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After reaching the Colerain road, having passed Knight avenue, Badgley road is attained. This leads southwardly to Cumminsville.
Thus have been named the avenues west of Hamilton avenue. But these are not all. Leaving the latter at the Presbyterian Church is Linden ave- nue, a well-paved street, that runs to the east corporation line, and con- tinues thence to Spring Grove Cemetery. Cedar avenue and North Bend road run eastwardly from Hamilton avenue, the former intersecting the Arnold and the latter the Winton road.
A street railway has been projected from Cumminsville to Mt. Pleasant, via Badgley valley, west of the Hamilton road. It is intended to reach Col- lege Hill in the western part of the village, and will, if completed, not only open up at once a new and popular avenue along the route, but give an increased impetus to the growth of this place.
RESIDENCES.
College Hill can boast of a number of handsome residences. That of J. C. C. Holenshade, for beauty of situation and architectural grace, will bear a favorable comparison with any about Cincinnati. Those familiar with College Hill will remember this as the former residence of Freeman G. Cary. It was purchased in 1861 by Mr. Holenshade, who at once began improvements, which have materially contributed to the beauty of the premises. A wide stone pavement, skirted by shade trees, extends along the entire front on Hamilton avenue, while from his residence the lawn, with its green carpet, rolls away to the east and south in graceful undula- tions. Well-grown evergreens adorn the grounds, and occasional fruit trees furnish ample shade, while they combine utility with comfort and beauty. South of the dwelling, near the avenue, is an artificial lake. The house is a large two-story brick building, with a basement of cut free- stone, which, being principally above ground, gives the edifice substantially three stories. The entire front is embraced by a porch supported by Cor- inthian pillars. In the interior arrangement comfort and good taste have been
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equally consulted. From the observatory one looks upon the village spread out at his feet, while in the distance suburban places, villages and farms succeed each other, until he asks himself if there is really any limit to the beautiful landscapes that seem every where to unfold themselves.
South-east of Mr. Holenshade's, on the opposite side of Hamilton avenue, is the residence of D. B. Pierson, erected three years ago, decidedly tasteful, and surrounded by beautiful grounds. Mr. Pierson has about ten acres of land and a fine lawn, through which a well-kept drive winds to his house. He enjoys a charming view in the direction of Cincinnati.
North of Mr. Pierson's are the residences of the Rev. Robert Crossette, Mrs. Sarah Wilson and G. F. Sadd, all of them comfortable homes, on lots of from four to five acres, with beautiful surroundings. Immediately north of the Female College, on Hamilton avenue, is the residence of Mr. Hayden, pleasantly situated on a lot of about two acres. Opposite this, on the west side of the avenue, is the dwelling of Dr. A. G. McChesney, a neat, com- fortable home. North of the public school building, on the east side of the avenue, are the residences of Lawrence Deininger, Amos Worthington and John W. Hammitt, all of them tasteful-the two latter on large lots, with beautiful shrubbery. On the west side of the avenue, near the northern boundary of the village, is the old residence of William Cary, by whose widow it is yet occupied.
On the north-west corner of Hamilton and Laurel avenues John R. Davy has about seven acres of the Farmers' College tract, upon which, in 1868, he erected a fine residence. It is a handsome structure, of the Italian style, uniting elegance and convenience in all its appointments. From the tower a magnificent prospect is obtained. Mr. Davy has a beautiful site for his dwelling, having procured that part of the farm upon which a large amount of money and labor was expended in creating a botanical garden in connection with the college. The lands lie handsomely, and are well cov- ered with all kinds of shade and ornamental trees. This is one of the most desirable places in College Hill.
Among the notable places of College Hill is the well-known one of the
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College Hill.
Hon. Samuel F. Cary. Occupying a good position upon the hill, which begins to descend southwardly near this point, he enjoys a fine landscape to the south-east. His dwelling is unpretentious but neat, and surrounded by beautiful shrubbery. He has about twenty-seven acres of land.
Immediately upon the south is the property of the Davis heirs, now occu- pied by O. J. Wilson. The grounds, consisting of five acres, are covered with shrubbery and shade trees.
On Colerain avenue are some pleasant homes. That of the late Chas. Cist, on the east, is a neat dwelling, surrounded by well-shaded, ample grounds.
On this avenue, too, is the former residence of the late General S. J. McGroarty, a snug cottage, with a veranda in front, well covered with vines and flowers. The neatness of the house is no less observable than the com- plete order and good taste displayed in its surroundings.
On the north side of Laurel avenue, near Colerain, Mrs. Wild and Pro- fessor J. H. Wilson have pleasant homes.
Here, too, Robert Simpson is now finishing a two-story frame residence, with tower and ample verandas. The new building is tasteful and attractive.
On Cedar avenue, where it makes the angle, E. P. Strong, in 1869, erected a neat two-story frame cottage. The site is among the best on Col- lege Hill.
Captain A. D. E. Tweed, on Colerain avenue, has one of the finest sites on the hill. It is said to be exceeded in altitude by but one location in Hamilton county. From the observatory of his dwelling a panorama of rare beauty and extent is unfolded. The Kentucky hills are in open view for miles; the lower part of Cincinnati can be easily seen ; while the fine suburbs of the city complete a picture which certainly has no superior in Cincinnati's surroundings. Captain Tweed has twenty acres of land, and a spacious dwelling, erected in 1865.
Among the handsome new places of the hill is that recently sold by George C. Knight to Mrs. Sarah J. Kennedy, on the corner of Colerain and Knight avenues, situated upon a beautiful elevation, from which are
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
enjoyed extensive views. There are here a fine conservatory and flower garden, and a pleasant lawn.
Immediately east, fronting Cedar avenue, is the residence of James Skardon, erected in 1867, occupying a very eligible position, on five acres of land that decline gracefully to the south.
On the south-west corner of Colerain avenue and Badgley road is the neat cottage of Captain Kates, with shrubbery and pleasant surroundings. On the west side of the latter road is the comfortable home of George Henshaw, while immediately adjoining it on the south is a new dwelling erected by Mr. Knight, who has also erected at the head of this road, on Colerain avenue, a tasteful residence, with such appointments as make it a desirable property. Farther south, on a site of rare beauty, is the resi- dence of Wm. C. Huntington. Mr. Huntington looks down in the direc- tion of the Ohio river, upon a landscape of unusual beauty, enjoying, upon the one hand, the prospect of his own farm of sixty acres, and, upon the other, the handsomely-rolling lands of Mrs. Jane J. Kennedy, the estate of E. C. Morris, and Charles E. Cist, that lie off to the south and east.
On the south-east corner of Colerain avenue and Badgley road is a dwelling owned by Mrs. Jane J. Kennedy, well supplied with verandas and surrounded by a profusion of shrubbery. The place is a very pretty one, and eligibly located.
On Colerain avenue Mr. D'Oisy has a tasteful cottage,
The home of the Rev. E. L. Davies, on the corner of Locust and Cole- rain avenues, is a pleasant one, surrounded with flowers and plants of our own country, besides many valuable exotics.
Daniel Flamm, on the east side of Colerain avenue, between Maple and Cedar avenues, has a neat frame residence and five acres of eligible land.
At the intersection of Colerain and Hamilton avenues, N. Skillman, last year erected a large frame storeroom, to the north and rear of which he has also a neat two-story dwelling.
On Linden avenue there are several pleasant dwellings. Among them are those of Mrs. Dr. Litzenberg, Mrs. S. B. Brooks (now occupied by O. F.
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College Hill.
Gordon), Prof. Jacob Tuckerman (occupied by Mrs. Locke), Josiah Wilder, Frank Howard (the present residence of C. S. Bates), and Mrs. Williams. On the south-east corner of this and Hamilton avenue is the residence of Mrs. Judge Miller.
The catalogue of property holders, with their improvements, is now well nigh complete. A few places, however, remain, to which not more than an allusion has been made, namely: The post-office, on Locust avenue, pre- sided over by Edward DeSerisy; the tasteful home of W. E. Watson, on the same avenue; and the pleasant dwelling of Mrs. Wheelock.
On the east side of Colerain avenue are the residences occupied by Mrs. Snowden and A. A. Upson. Near the junction of this and Hamilton avenue is the dwelling of Rev. W. H. Rogers.
On the North Bend road, near the north-eastern corporate limits, E. P. Strong has a place of twelve acres, with a pleasant dwelling, surrounded by shrubbery.
J. C. Morrison, on Knight avenue, has a nice two-story frame cottage and an eligible lot of six acres. The surroundings are noticeable for their neatness, as well as natural beauty.
Still farther west, but on Colerain avenue, William Donnelly is prepar- ing to build, and will, during the approaching season, put up a fine resi- dence.
But we must not forget the ancient landmarks; and other persons, who are almost, yet not quite citizens, will forgive this exception. Though the venerable Zebulon Strong is outside the corporate limits, his place of thirty acres is contiguous on the south. The old farm house is simple and plain, but nature offers what palatial splendor can not supply, distant landscapes of the rarest beauty.
CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian Church was organized in the year 1853, by thirty- three members of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant. One of the prime movers in the matter was the Rev. R. H. Bishop, D.D., then of Farmers'
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College. For some time following they worshiped in the college chapel, from which they removed to their present church edifice about fifteen years ago. Their pastor, the Rev. E. L. Davies, who has recently resigned to enter upon another field of labor, has been with them about five years. The church building is a capacious brick structure, well finished, with gallery, white pine pews, good furniture, neat lecture room on the same floor, and a thousand-dollar organ. Like the beautiful church at Clifton, the spire is the prominent object of the village.
Grace Episcopal Church was organized in 1866. The congregation occu- pied the chapel of Farmers' College until early in 1867, when they com- pleted, on the site of the old Cary's Academy, on the corner of Hamilton and Colerain avenues, at an expense, including lot, of $16,000, a beautiful brick edifice, which is a great credit to the society. Its extreme length, including porch, is seventy-eight feet; length of transept, sixty-five feet. The pews are neatly constructed of pine and black walnut, and cushioned with red damask. The lecturns are neat pieces of workmanship, in black walnut, while the white marble font, which stands just outside the chancel, is a work of simple elegance which every one will admire who visits the church. The rector is the Rev. R. T. Kerfoot, formerly of Dayton, Ohio.
There is, in addition, a church erected on Cedar avenue, for the use of the various denominations of the colored people. Service is held here from time to time, and a colored school, in charge of the Rev. W. H. Rogers, occupies the building during the week.
Both the Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches sustain good Sabbath- schools. The understanding between the denominations is such, too, that each helps the other in this commendable work.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
While this pleasant village is distinguished for its colleges, its public schools have by no means been neglected. Immediately north of the Pres- byterian Church, on Hamilton avenue, in an unpretending brick structure,
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College Hill.
an excellent school has been in operation, in charge of Miss Harriet N. Wilson, aided by two assistants. There is a large attendance of scholars, and the course is one that reflects credit on all concerned. The present quarters are not equal to their wants, but this will soon be remedied by the erection of a spacious new school building, for which funds have been accumulating during a period of several years. The authorities have already acquired a lot for the purpose, on Maple avenue.
The most direct route to College Hill is by way of the Hamilton turn- pike. Omnibuses leave the city regularly for this place, and also connect several times during the day with the trains at Cumminsville, which is two miles from College Hill.
The village has a population of about eight hundred, and has the advantage of having neither liquor shop nor any thing of the kind within its limits. A better index to the character of its population could, per- haps, not be found than the latter fact. The society is good, and must continue so. To a certain extent, indeed, it revolves about the educational institutions, and finds them a never-failing source of profit and pleasure.
The municipal officers of College Hill for 1870-71 are as follows : Mayor-CYRUS S. BATES.
Council-Long Term : D. B. PIERSON, W. C. HUNTINGTON, E. DE- SERISY. Short Term : EBER STRONG, A. A. UPSON, R. SIMPSON.
Recorder-W. S. ROGERS.
Marshal-E. B. STOUT.
Treasurer-I. N. SKILLMAN.
EAST WALNUT HILLS.
NE of the distinguishing features of the environs of Cincinnati is the wonderful variety of surface, prospect, and advantage. Here is a place almost like a city, with every thing indicative of a great population near at hand; there is the collection of cozy residences, the type of some charming village in the interior. The visitor passes both of these, and suddenly emerges into the full enjoyment of rural simplicity. Beautiful homes, broad fields, splendid groves of native forest trees, greet him with a welcome which language can not convey. The latter describes generally the suburb to which this chapter will be devoted. Until 1866 all that territory east of the village that had gathered in the vicinity of Lane Seminary was known as East Walnut Hills. Many persons yet speak of Woodburn as a part of East Walnut Hills, but it should be borne in mind that the latter name is now properly applied to territory east of Millcreek township, the eastern boundary of that township being also the eastern boundary of Woodburn.
The following gentlemen are the principal property-holders of East Wal- nut Hills.
Messrs. P. W. Strader, John S. Taylor, A. A. Bennett, George M. Hord, John Cinnamon, L. B. Harrison, W. W. Scarborough, William Hooper, W. McRoberts, Wm. Aubery, Wm. Wood, W. A. Goodman, Wm. Williamson, Edward Sargent, J. C. Ritchie, John L. Stettinius, F.
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Hast Walnut Hills.
P. Anderson, A. Kattenhorn, M. Harth, Mrs. Philip Grandin, Robert Shaw, Wm. H. Thayer, Rufus King, J. H. Weston, George Martin, John Kilgour, C. B. Foote, Jos. Longworth, N. C. McLean, G. Henderson, and Robert Burnet.
Something more than three miles north-east of the court-house in Cincin- nati, the Madisonville turnpike enters East Walnut Hills at the east line of Mrs. Perkins' property, and continues thence in a north-easterly direction. About a fifth of a mile beyond Woodburn is the intersection of the Grandin road, and at the south-east corner of those roads stands the residence of W. A. Goodman, a substantial and attractive structure, erected about ten years ago. The house is a spacious and convenient one, well finished throughout, and is one of the pleasantest homes in this suburb. A broad veranda looks out over ornamented grounds and down to the Grandin road, and a graveled carriage drive affords communication with the Madisonville turnpike. The gradual rising of the land from the road to the building makes the situation a commanding one. Mr. Goodman's grounds are hand- somely laid out, and, to the rear of his tract of fifteen acres, there are forest trees, which, during the summer, furnish a charming background.
On the Madisonville turnpike, immediately opposite Mr. Goodman's place, is a lot of ten acres, the property of G. Henderson, one of the finest locations in East Walnut Hills. Beyond this is the comfortable residence of Mrs. Holroyd, on a lot of six acres ; and near this, on the same side of the road, the dwelling of J. C. Caldwell. Adjoining these are the premises of William Williamson, consisting of eight acres of land and a good dwell- ing. The lawn is beautiful, and the property a desirable one.
To the rear of this, a short distance, Charles B. Foote, President of the Commercial Bank, purchased, four years ago, for about $500 per acre, sixty acres of land, to which he has since made valuable additions. The old building that stood here he has greatly improved and converted into a pleas- ant home ; but this he intends to occupy only until he can erect new build- ings on a very fine site some distance back. He is now engaged in improv-
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ing his grounds, and, among other things, is making a chain of small lakes through their entire length.
Just opposite is one of the finest residences on East Walnut Hills, that of Edward Sargent. In 1865 Mr. Sargent purchased the Matthew Hart property, a tract of eighteen acres, which, with the improvements that were subsequently removed, cost $35,000. The grounds swell gently from the road to the position selected for his residence. Here, in 1866, he put up a brick edifice trimmed with brown stone, with Mansard roof and observatory, and veranda upon the south and west. The internal arrangement of the house is very complete. The sitting rooms have been made with a view to comfort; the parlors are roomy; and the library, with its well-stocked shelves, looking out upon a beautiful rural scene, is a place where a man fond of books and nature might delight to spend his life. A splendid landscape is to be seen from his observatory. There is neither mountain nor river, but the eye wanders over farm, grove, and hillside, which follow each other in rapid succession, until vision is arrested by the woods skirting the horizon from fifteen to twenty miles away.
In the direction of Madisonville is the neat two-story brick dwelling of Wm. Baker, on the Linwood road. On the south side of the latter avenue is the tasteful cottage of J. Ritchie, erected upon a lot of about fifteen acres, and surrounded by shrubbery and flowers. Immediately adjoining this on the east, are the premises of J. L. Stettinius. Here, Mr. Stettinius, six years ago, purchased, at the rate of $300 per acre, twenty acres of land, upon which he erected, of the blue limestone of this region, a stately resi- dence, with window caps and other external ornaments of the same mate- rial. The main entrance from the west leads at once to a broad, beautiful hall, from which one passes readily into parlor, library, and dining room- spacious apartments, finished with pine and black walnut. The land rises from the road, and the house commands a delightful view of hill and dale, woodland and gentle slope. Looking from the road up the green acclivity, this house has the most substantial appearance of any in East Walnut Hills. The color imparts to it an air of sobriety and quiet comfort well comporting
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East Walnut Hills.
with the enduring nature of the materials, upon which the tooth of time may, for generations, gnaw in vain.
A short distance beyond is the property of John Kilgour, a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, purchased about eight years ago for $45,000. Many will, at the mention of these premises, recall the memory of James Hey, the eccentric Englishman, who came to this place forty years ago and improved the farm that is now the delightful home of Mr. Kilgour. On reaching the gate, one looks up in the direction of the building through a vista of cedars planted by this singular bachelor on either side of a graveled drive. The sides are thickly studded with these living columns, whose aged branches now arch the roadway and twine themselves about each other, forming a perpetual shield from both sunshine and storm. In front of the dwelling, which is several hundred yards from the road, are pines, planted by the same hand, some of them two and a half feet in diameter and sixty feet in hight. The old dwelling has been so changed by Mr. Kilgour that its former self is scarcely discernible. A Mansard roof has been added ; verandas, like those of the south, sweep around three sides of the building ; while other improvements have so transformed the beau ideal of the Englishman's home that now he would scarcely recognize it, could he revisit the scene of his former labors.
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