The William Raymond House, 329 Chestnut. In 1851 William Raymond, a flour and lumber manufacturer built this substantial brick dwelling at 329 Chestnut Street. Raymod had moved to Toledo from Patterson, New york in 1836 and served as a clerk in the Valentine Ketcham dry goods store until 1844. In 1864, Raymond moved to San Francisco but retained an interest in Toledo and later donated $15,000 toward the establishment of the University of Toledo and served as one of its first trustees. Valentine Ketcham, Raymond's former employer, purchased the the Chestnut street residence in 1856. Renovation and alteration in 1911 transformed the Raymond-Ketcham house from a mid-century house into a late Victorian period dwelling thus creating an intriguing architectural sample representing Toledo architecture over a sixty year span.
The Frederick Daum House, 1107 Ontario St. View of the south facade looking north. Photo by John C. Garner, Jr., 1972. Frederick Daum is one of those persons whom history has forgotten. Although little can be found about him in recorded history, he has left a significant legacy in this small, delicate cottage which he erected in 1852 and 1866. Representative of brick residential architecture of mid-century Toledo, this sophisticated design is an exemplary model of that period's small scale housing.
The William Cummings House, 1022 Superior St. Photographer unknown. William Cummings began in Toledo as a dry goods merchant and before his death in 1898, had assumed prominence among the city's businessmen. In 1871, Cummings built this impressive residence at Superior and Elm. This house testifies to his success as a merchant. However, by the end of the 1870's, he devoted his energies to banking and had become president of the Northern National Bank. He held that position until shortly before his death. The Bank with which Cummings had so long been associated merged in 1924 with several other firms and became the Toledo Trust Company. Cummings' house reflects the life style of men of moderate affluence during the 1860-1880 period. Designed in the Italianate style, which was quite "modern" in 1871, the house is virtually unchanged in physical appearance today.
The William Essing House, 1131 Ontario St. View of the south and east facades looking west. Photo by John C. Garner, Jr., 1972. The two story brick double house at 1131 Ontario is a fine example of the Italianate style duplex which gained great popularity in Toledo in the mid and late nineteenth century. Mrs. Elizabeth Cook probably built the first half in 1858, and William Essing, a brick manufacturer, completed the structure in 1869.
The Frederick Eaton House, 833 Huron St. View of the front (south) looking west. Photo by John C. Garner, Jr., 1972. Originally built in 1849 by J. R. Williams, a real estate promoter, the house at 833 Huron was enlarged and improved by Frederick Eaton in 1867. Eaton founded a dry goods business in Toledo in 1854. In 1859, he joined with Asa Backus to form Eaton and Backus. In 1872, Eaton named his wholesale outlet the Lion Store, and since that time, the Lion trademark has been an integral part of the city's business life. During the mid and late nineteenth century, Eaton assumed prominence among local merchants and his business and residence remain as reminders of early Toledo.
The Edson Allen House, 718-720 Walnut St. View of the southwest (front) and southeast facades. Photo by John C. Garner, Jr., 1975. Edson Allen, a prominent early Toledo lawyer and real estate speculator erected this house in 1848. One of the most impressive Greek Revival houses in Toledo today, it appears that it was Allen's home until he moved to 915 Erie in 1856. Not only is this the home of one of Toledo's notable early citizens, it is one of the city's finest architectural landmarks.
The Edson Allen House (Beach House), 915 Erie St. View of the front (south) facade. Photo by John C. Garner, Jr., 1975. According to the county tax records, there was a small house on the property by 1854. This structure was built into the present house (it composes the present lower floor of the east wing) by Edson Allen between 1856 and 1858. Allen, an early resident of Toledo, and one of the city's prominent attorneys, lived in this house until his death in 1893. This house is certainly one of the notable architectural landmarks of Toledo. Its most imposing feature, the central doorway, is not only unique in the city, but a fine design in its own right. Unchanged in appearance, this monument to one of Toledo's outstanding citizens, serves as pleasant reminder of a worth architectural past for which few examples survive today.