Posted January 22, 200619 yr Clifton is comprised of approximately 1200 acres. Until the 1840s, very few people lived here, as the land was owned by just a dozen people. Gradually, a few Cincinnati businessmen built homes here. After fighting off annexation, Clifton finally became part of Cincinnati in 1896. Until annexation, Clifton had remained mostly just large mansions and grand estates. Most of these pictures were taken last weekend (January 14-15, 2006). However, a few of them are from about one year ago. Now, onto the tour... “Parkview” (1895) – Boss Cox’s home. In 1938, after the death of Cox’s wife, the home came into the possession of the Cincinati Union Bethel. Since 1948, it has been used as the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. I don’t know much about this home, but according to the Auditor’s webpage, it was built in 1873. It was recently for sale this past year for more than $1 million, but I do not believe that it sold and is no longer on the market. Rawson estate along Clifton Ave. Once one of Clifton’s most elegant homes, it appears that it has undergone years of neglect. The land behind the home is currently being developed into a small subdivision. I believe 6-8 new homes will be built beyond this house, with a price range in excess of $600,000 per home. 254 Greendale (1848) Robert Buchanan house (1843) – possibly Clifton’s oldest house “Greenhills” – Circa 1848 (remodeled 1868) Henry Probasco house (1859-67) – One of the grand castles built along Lafayette Ave. Built over 8 years at the cost in excess of $500,000. Apparently, the grand staircase leading to the tower is made of solid oak and took the sculptor three years to complete. Scarlet Oaks (1871) – Back in its day, it was Cincinnati’s largest mansion at 51 rooms. Today, it is unfortunately surrounded by several other buildings which are plain and unoriginal. Scarlet Oaks is said to have cost more than $750,000 to construct. (To put this in perspective, Music Hall was constructed one decade later, yet it only cost $500,000 to construct.) Bishop’s Place (1881) The Windings (1869) – Reported was so expensive to build that it was sold 1876 to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Nowadays, it is split into several condos, one of which is currently on the market for just under $1 million. Frank Lloyd Wright designed home (1954) – One of 3 Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes in Cincinnati 3322 Bishop Street (1888) Parkside Apartments (1895) – These have been converted into condos over the past year or two. Marburg Hotel (1902) – Now an apartment building Anderson Funeral Home (1900) – This has been caught up in controversy the past couple years. The new owner purchased this funeral home 2 or 3 years back and has wanted to tear down the home and build a new building featuring a restaurant on the first floor and apartments on the 2nd-4th floors. Not sure exactly what all is currently going on with the project, but I do know that nothing has gone on with the building in the year and a half I have lived across the street from this building. Last I read in the Enquirer back in July of 2004, demolition was scheduled to begin within a week (and has yet to happen). Clifton United Methodist Church Other various Clifton homes:
January 23, 200619 yr Amazing collection of 19th-century palaces. It's amazing to see so many surviving in one place. Thanks for the tour!
January 23, 200619 yr Wow...thank you very much. Say, where's the Anderson Funeral Home house located?
January 23, 200619 yr Clifton was perhaps Hyde Park before Hyde Park knew it was Hyde Park. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 23, 200619 yr Great tour, beautful estates, happy to see most in good condition. Scarlet Oaks is part of a senior center now. I have been in there a few times, the woodwork is powerful. There is a small chapel, orignally an art gallery, very elegant. Thanks Wally
January 24, 200619 yr The Anderson funeral home is located along Clifton Ave, just to the north of the main intersection of Clifton (Clifton Ave and Ludlow Ave.). If you're familiar with the area, but not street names, Skyline Chili is located at this intersection. Skyline's parking lot is behind the restaurant, and then the funeral home sits next to Skyline's parking lot. Again, I wish I knew more about what the holdup or outcome is with the funeral home property; however, I cannot find anything. Plans showing the proposed building were hanging in the windows of the Clifton Community Center sometime last year (maybe the summer?), but that's the last I've seen or heard of anything with this project. Clifton's century plus homes really are quite amazing. While I've hit on most of the major homes of Clifton, I've just barely scrathed the surface of some of the other homes in Clifton. Perhaps I will feature these in another photo tour later this winter or spring when I have some free time on a nice day.
January 24, 200619 yr Ah, I see it now...you can see the Methodist Church right next door... Thanks again for the tour!
February 2, 200619 yr Great stuff Wally. You captured that Victorian on Bishop, which is my favorite house in Clifton.
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