Walking and Gawking in Avondale, Part 1
As I mentioned yesterday, Dave and I went on a tour of historic mansions in North Avondale over the weekend, and now I have lots of fun photos to share with you.
Avondale was one of the earliest, and toniest, suburbs of Cincinnati. In 1886 Willard Glazier wrote about it in his book Peculiarities of American Cities, calling it a beautiful enclave where “the homes of Cincinnati’s merchant princes and millionaires are found…in elegant cottages, tasteful villas and substantial mansions.”
Avondale itself was modeled on an English town concept with large lots, winding streets, sidewalks, underground utilities, and gaslights that still flicker. The leading local architects of the Victorian era were hired to design fashionable homes for many wealthy German-Jewish families, who had been excluded from Cincinnati’s social circles and moved to Avondale to establish their own community there.
Racial unrest in Cincinnati in the 1960s caused many residents to leave the suburb. Some of these mansions sat empty for years or were turned into apartment buildings. But there have since been successful efforts with the North Avondale Neighborhood Association to promote better community relations within this racially integrated community and to restore the homes to their former glory.
The Cincinnati Preservation Association organized the home tour in the Rose Hill area of North Avondale. It was 70 degrees and sunny on Saturday, which was perfect weather for strolling up and down the streets of this lovely neighborhood, taking pictures as we went. Take a walk and gawk with us now.
We hadn’t even parked the car and started the tour yet when we passed this white house. I yelled “Stop!” so suddenly that Dave nearly ran off the road and hit a telephone pole. But look at this place. It was worth the almost-crash to get the picture of it:
After that we found a good parking spot and started walking through the leafy neighborhood, making picture-taking much safer for everyone involved. I thought this traditional brick home was charming:
Excuse the sun spot on the photo below. I’m not a professional photographer (just a professional gawker). Below this is a close-up of the front door, which I loved:
What was really fun about this neighborhood is how different each home is from its neighbors (unlike new suburbs, where all the houses look essentially the same with minor changes). The ones in the Rose Hill neighborhood each had their own distinct personality. Like this yellow house, for example, with the periwinkle trim:
Here’s an old gas street light. Someone had hung their hat there and left it:
This was an adorable little house with a rambling cottage garden. Right next to it was one of the biggest mansions in the neighborhood, which I’ll take you on a tour of later this week:
Aren’t these fun? But wait–there are more fabulous houses from this tour coming up in the next post, including the mansions we actually walked through. Do you have a favorite of the ones I’ve shown you so far?
If You’re Hooked on Tours of Old Houses:
May 12th, 2008 at 6:35 am
I love this area of town. I didn’t know they were having a home tour, or I would have done it! Instead I took the kids to the zoo. Lucky for them
I would take the cottage with the garden or either of the first 2 white house. I couldn’t decide between the one with the front porch, or the one with the side sun room. Decisions, decisions 
May 12th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I LOVE the white house with the gas light hat rack in front! It just screams Happy family home.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:18 am
i find myself drawn to the house in the 5th photo down. I’d love to know more about that one!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I like houses #5 and #10 quite a bit. I’m so glad you spent mother’s day doing something that you (and we) enjoy.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Wow…so great…also love the 5th photo!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Great blogging…but did you really take those pictures yesterday in the midst of the rain?
May 12th, 2008 at 11:00 am
The white house is my favorite!
May 12th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Hi, Kathy! Maybe I wasn’t clear about that. It was my Mother’s Day gift from my husband (tix to the home tour), but the actual tour was Saturday, not Sunday–thank goodness! Sunday would’ve been a washout, but Saturday was gorgeous. -Julia
May 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for sharing. Great stuff!
Randy
May 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Love the house with the gaslight in front. If you’re ever in Columbus, you would love driving through Bexley. Love your blog!
May 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I was so sorry to miss this tour … darn kids and soccer games! I love this area too. Thanks for the pictures. What a great hubby to give you the gift of a house tour!
May 12th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
There is no way I could pick just one. I love interesting historical architecture. The top ones on my list would be 4, 5 & 10. This looks like a really fun day!
May 12th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Oh these house are divine. I agree, I love when I pull into an established neighborhood where all the homes have their own look and personality. There are so many being developed now where they all look the same. I’m a stickler for “out of the box.”
ps- I am adding you to my blogroll now!
Great photos:)
May 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Oooohh those are so awesome
May 12th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
These are some beautiful homes. I find it very relaxing to tour homes. It’s fun to dream up the people that live in the homes and think about their lifestyles!
May 13th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I could walk all day in a neighborhood like that - I don’t even like to exercise!
beautiful.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I grew up in North Avondale!
Do you ever go on Observatory or Hershel- by Ault Park? That entire street blows my mind. Character!
December 31st, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I love all your pictures. gazing upon homes and gardens are one of my most favourite things to do. Especially old homes, castles, and all their magnificent garden glory.
thanks for the very awesome pictures. certainly a very beautiful place.