Gardner Place is a privately maintained road off of Tytus Rd near the intersection of Nelbar just outside of downtown Middletown.  It overlooks Gardner Park.  Gardner Place is the former Gardner Family Compound and boasts four single family structures in a park like setting.

 

When you think of prominent families of Middletown past, the names Verity and Sorg come to mind.  But the Gardner family had just as much of an impact on Middletown.  The Gardners were involved in several paper mills.  As a matter of fact, one of their previous mills...the Gardner-Harvey Company, is located near the grounds of Gardner Place and is now part of Temple Inland Container. 

 

 

The main house..1 Gardner or Gardner Mansion was the home of the family patriarch, Colin Gardner and his wife the former Elizabeth Tytus of another prominent Middletown family.  Colin started his career his father-in-law's mill, Tytus Paper Company eventually becoming its vice president.  Later, Tytus and Gardner formed the Gardner Paper Company out of the old company.  They operated several mills in Middletown, and at its peak, employed over 1,000 workers.  Gardner purchased Richardson Paper Company out of Lockland (I believe) and the company became Gardner-Richardson.  Colin sold the company in 1957 to Diamond International, which operated it as the Gardner division of which Colin was president.  In 1982, the plant was aquired by Jefferson-Smurfit, today Smurfit-Stone.  They still employ over 400 in Middletown at its plant and offices at Reinartz and Charles street.  Colin was founder of the local American Red Cross and Gardner-Harvey Library on the campus of Miami Middletown is named for the family.  The Gardner Foundation in Middletown awards several scholarships to high school seniors in need.  There are still a few Middletown residents connected with the Gardner Family.  One Gardner family member, Mimi Gardner Gates, is the second wife of Bill Gate's (Microsoft) father.  She is Director of Seattle Art Museum.   

 

1 Gardner was actually built as a farm house in 1839 by Sammuel Bonnell on a 127 acre tract he had purchased.  Colin, who was originally from Cincinnati, moved into the house in 1892.  He extensively remodeled and expanded the home to its impressive Greek Revival state.  When the current owners began a renovation project, they uncovered the signature of Dayton architect J.P. Joyner signed 1891.  Gardner Mansion has 23 rooms and nine fireplaces.  According to the Butler County Auditor's web site, the house is nearly 5,500 square feet.  I'm not sure that is completely accurate though.  After Colin's death, the donated the home to Miami University to use as a cultural center.  This was prior to the establishment of a permanent campus.  Miami sold the home to private owners.  Today it is owned by John and Jennifer Ridge, a dermatologist and founder one of the first internet service providers in the Miami Valley, Infinet.

 

 

Colin had three sons who also built homes on the property. 

 

This next home is located next to the main house, is the least impressive home.  It was built in 1900 and is 4,200 square feet.

 

 

The third home, or 5 Gardner, is owned by the Stevens family.  Margaret Stevens, who passed away a couple of years ago, lived in the home for over 30 years.  She was a native Middletonian whose family, the Sebalds, owned a local brewery and realty company. It is believed that the architect of this home is the same one who designed the Charles R. Hook Mansion on Alameda Circle.  5 Gardner was built in 1900 and is 4,711 square feet and 30 rooms. (I don't think the auditor's site took into account the finished third level).  Sorry that these pictures aren't the best.  They were taken from the park and lots of bushes and evergreens blocked my view.  The wallpaper in the hallway dates back to 1929.

 

 

 

The last home, 7 Gardner, was built in 1900 and has 16 rooms and 4,166 square feet.  The home was owned for nearly thirty years by Perry Thatcher, who recently sold his home and moved to a home in east Middletown.  It is fitting that Thatcher would have lived in one of the Gardner homes.  He, himself, worked for 30 year employee of Temple-Inland Container before starting several paper companies on his own.  He is credited for having designed the French Fry holder used by Wendy's.  He also owns several buildings in downtown Middletown.

 

 

These homes are in excellent condition.  Sadly, the area they are located in is not the best and I fear for their future.  In my book, the are belongs on the National Register.   

i like the last one the best i think.  good little tour.