It Really Is the Oldest Stone House!

Historical Society
e s t a b l i s h e d
1 9 5 2
J A NJuly
U A R2009
Y 2009
*The Lakewood
14710 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 - (216) 221-7343
It Really is the Oldest Stone House!
By Mazie Adams, LHS Executive Director
In May 2009, the City of Lakewood approved the
nomination of the Oldest Stone House as the first property
in Lakewood to receive Historic Property designation. This
honor followed a period of extensive research into the history
of the Oldest Stone House (also called the Honam/Hotchkiss
House) by Lakewood Historical Society staff and volunteers,
especially Mazie Adams, Rick Sicha, Marcia Moll, Craig
Bobby and Amanda Francazio. Much of this work was built
on the previous research by Margaret Manor Butler, Sandy
Koozer, Junior Board members and others. The new research
reinforced many ideas about the house as well as tidbits of
information found in the museum archives. But we added
much new information to the history of the house and found
several surprises along the way! The biggest surprise was a new
date for the construction of the stone house. We now believe
it was built for John Honam in 1834, not 1838. This truly
makes it the oldest house in Lakewood.
While it is easy to overlook the small stone house
in Lakewood Park, the Honam/Hotchkiss House is both
historically and architecturally significant. The evolution of the
house and its related property reflect the changing settlement
and development patterns found throughout Lakewood
(formerly Rockport Township). The history of the house can
be separated into three distinct periods of significance: the
Honam/Hotchkiss period (1834-1897); the Development
period (1897-1952); and the Historic House Museum period
(1952-present).
1901
The information found in the following narrative is
supported by primary resources including deeds, tax duplicate
records, maps, census records, immigration and marriage
documents, photographs, diaries, archival materials, and
memories and interviews of early residents of Lakewood as
well as secondary sources like Margaret Manor Butler’s The
Lakewood Story published in 1949 and other books. One
of the best discoveries was an 1888 deed regarding the sale of
a small parcel of land in what is now Lakewood Park. This
deed includes a sworn statement by Isabella Hotchkiss that not
only confirms the ownership of the land but provides some
genealogical information as well.
Isabella’s Sworn Statement, 1888
“Isabella Hotchkiss of lawful age, being first duly sworn
deposes and says, my grandparents John Williamson and
Isabella Williamson, and my father John Honan owned
the property I owned in Section Number 22 Township of
Rockport, county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio running
from Detroit Street to the Lake Erie and a part of which
was deeded by myself and husband to P. G. Watmough
and Amos Townsend by deed dated August 19th 1871
and recorded in Vol 192, pages 179 and 180, Cuyahoga
County Records of deeds, both my grand parents John and
Isabella Williamson died about the year 1832 within
eleven days of each other, intestate, solvent, and without
debts, seized of the land aforesaid, and leaving affiant
Isabella Hotchkiss, as sole heir at law of each grand parent,
their daughter Mary Honann, affiants mother, having
died prior to the death of John and Isabella Williamson,
they leaving no children surviving them or other lineal
heirs, except this affiant their grandchild. My father John
Honan died about the year 1845 intestate, solvent, and
without debts, and leaving surviving him his daughter
this affiant as his sole heir at law. Affiant further says
that she has been in possession of said lands so inherited
from John and Isabella Williamson and John Honan and
being about 97 _ acres of land and has paid taxes thereon
ever since she has been in possession thereof since 1845.
Except 20 acres sold to Watmough and Townsend and
deeded to them as aforesaid, and other smaller portions
of said land as appears by the records of said county.”
The Honam/Hotchkiss Period (1834-1897)
During its longest and most significant period, the
Honam/Hotchkiss House was used as a family residence by
John Honam and then by his daughter Isabella Hotchkiss and
her family. The property on which the house sat eventually
totaled 97_ acres stretching from what is now Detroit Avenue
to the lake between Belle and Cook Avenues, ideally situated
in the center of Rockport Township, the community’s major
commercial and residential district. Part of the property was
farmed, although a significant portion remained wooded
during the early part of this period. The family conducted
several commercial businesses on the property in addition to
farming, including a tannery and a mill. Built for John Honam
in 1834, the house remained in family hands and was used as
a private residence until 1897.
1902
John Honam
Born in Scotland in 1790, John Honam wed Mary
Williamson (daughter of John and Isabella Williamson) in
1813. They had one daughter, Isabella, born two years later in
1815. John Honam emigrated from Scotland alone in 1822,
arriving in Portland, Maine. Unfortunately, little is known
about his wife Mary Williamson. It is possible that she died
before Honam immigrated to America but is certain that she
died prior to 1832.
By 1830, both John Honam and his in-laws lived
East Rockport 1874
1915
in Rockport Township (now Lakewood). John Honam
speculated in land in Cleveland and was described as “of
Rockport County [sic]” on several deeds from this time period.
It is very likely that he lived with his wife’s family. Honam’s
father-in-law John Williamson (who earlier lived “in the town
of Cleveland”) purchased land in Rockport in March 1830.
This 60 acre parcel was bounded north by Lake Erie and south
by the “ridge road” (Detroit). The 1830 Census indicates that
John Williamson’s household included one woman between
40 and 50 (probably Mrs. Williamson), John Honam and two
boys and a girl under the age of 15. Following the death of
his in-laws within eleven days of each other in 1832, Honam
acquired the property, living there with his daughter Isabella.
Rockport Township in the 1830s was sparsely populated
with the majority of residences located near Detroit Road. The
large parcels accompanying the houses often extended either
from Lake Erie to Detroit Road or the vicinity of modern
Madison Avenue, or between Madison Avenue and Detroit
Road. The earliest settlers of Rockport Township included the
Nicholson, Wagar and Hall families. Most of these settlers
built stone or frame houses
along Detroit and then
cleared and farmed their
large parcels. In 1834,
a stone house was built
on the 60-acre parcel for
John Honam using local
Wagar House sandstone and a floor
plan typical of the Western
Reserve (and similar to Mars Wagar’s stone house just west and
south of his property). The use of stone, the size of the house,
and Honam’s ownership of the large land parcel indicate his
relative wealth within the community. Two years later, Honam
started the process of purchasing 37_ acres immediately to the
west of the original family parcel. By 1840, he owned both
parcels, making his total property 97_ acres that stretched
from Detroit to the lake, between what is now Belle and Cook
Avenues.
John Honam lived in the stone house and farmed part
of his property. While immigration records indicated that
Honam worked as a weaver in Scotland, there is no evidence he
continued that trade in Rockport Township. It is more likely
that he worked his land. Tax records show that he owned both
horses and cows. The 1840 Census indicates that Honam’s
household included several servants and laborers.
The Hotchkiss Family
Following Honam’s death in 1845, the property transferred
to his daughter Isabella, who had married Orvis Hotchkiss in
1837. Born in Vermont, Orvis Hotchkiss moved to North
Olmsted with his parents Noble and Harriet Hotchkiss in
the 1820s. After their
marriage, conducted by
the local Justice of the
Peace, Orvis and Isabella
lived in North Olmsted.
It is possible that Orvis
and Isabella returned to
the stone house by the
early 1840s, since Orvis
Hotchkiss paid Honam’s
personal and property
Charles Pease
taxes starting in 1842.
While little is known of John Honam’s activities in
Rockport Township, much more is known about the Hotchkiss
family. Widely regarded as a leader within the Rockport
community, Orvis Hotchkiss operated several businesses on
the property, including a tannery and a steam mill, and also
received the contract to build the plank road along Detroit in
Rockport Township.
Orvis and Isabella Hotchkiss had three children, Hester,
Harriet and Noble. Each child married into important and
wealthy families from the Rockport community. Orvis
Hotchkiss improved the property repeatedly throughout the
years, maintaining the entire parcel until 1860.
As the population of Rockport grew, so did the need for
available land. Typical of many second-generation Rockport
residents, Hotchkiss began selling off portions of the original
Honam land in 1860 until it consisted of 56_ acres in 1874.
The arrival of the Rocky River Rail Road in 1868, just north
of Detroit Road, influenced the population increase and
land speculation of this era. By 1870, son Noble Hotchkiss
established his own household on the family property, perhaps
in a frame house seen on maps and a 1902 photograph.
Both men continued to farm the property as well as run
other commercial activities. Noble Hotchkiss hosted the first
organizational meeting for the Hamlet of Lakewood in 1889
and was subsequently elected one of its first three trustees.
A few years after Orvis Hotchkiss’s death in 1881, Isabella
Hotchkiss transferred the property to her children Noble and
Harriet.
The Honam/Hotchkiss House served as the private
residence of one of Lakewood’s earliest families. Like most
other early settlers, the Honam/Hotchkiss family farmed a
large parcel of land, ran small commercial operations that
supported the needs of a growing community and located their
homes along Detroit Road. The Honam/Hotchkiss House
remains as one of the few homes dating to this important early
period of Lakewood’s history.
A Store in the Stone House?
Secondary sources state that Orvis ran a general store, shoe
and boot factory and a four-family rental unit on the family
property, but there is no evidence for that kind of activity on
the stone house property during this period. It is interesting
to note that “Hotchkiss & Dean” paid personal taxes in the
Lawrence Johnson
1902
1850s. Lucius Dean did run
a store in Rockport. Perhaps
they worked together for
a few years. In addition,
Hotchkiss sold a small,
triangular parcel on Detroit
to Joseph Howe in 1869.
This small parcel was just east of the stone house and can be
seen on the 1874 atlas map. Tax and map records call this
parcel a “store lot,” showing that Joseph Howe ran a store
and post office at this prime location along Detroit Avenue.
In 1872, Joseph Howe purchased a three acre parcel on the
southeast corner of the Hotchkiss farm, where he built a new
home.
By 1882, Joseph Howe sold the small, triangular parcel
to Lawrence Johnson, who continued to operate a store and
post office on the site. In 1897, Johnson’s store burned down.
The community rallied around him and the Hotchkiss family
offered the use of their vacant stone house as a temporary
location for his business. Lawrence Johnson ran his store and
the Rockport post office out of the stone house for two years,
until the completion of his new, brick store building in 1898.
The Development Period (1897-1952)
The second period of significance for the Honam/
Hotchkiss House reflects the dramatic residential and
commercial development of the early 20th-century as
Lakewood became a streetcar suburb. As Cleveland grew into
an industrial powerhouse, many people sought homes and
property in the communities just outside of the city limits.
From the late 1890s until 1930, Lakewood saw an incredible
boom in residential and community building to serve the needs
of this increased population.
In 1899, the Lakewood Realty Company purchased the
Honam/Hotchkiss House and related property as part of the
creation of the Lakewood Park Subdivision. This subdivision
consisted of both sides of St. Charles, Warren and Cook
1902
between the north side of Detroit and the north side of Clifton.
For at least two years, the Honam/Hotchkiss House served
as the allotment sales office and perhaps as the office for the
allotment’s designated architect, Charles Pennington.
The ownership of the Lakewood Realty Company
signals the beginning of an extended period of mixed-use for
the Honam/Hotchkiss House. It housed both commercial
businesses such as a doctor’s office, shoe repair shop,
photography and upholstery store as well as families and
individuals who rented for short periods of time.
In both 1955 and 1967, Margaret Butler interviewed
Viola Miller Hanlon, who remembered living in the stone
house as a child. She remembered a wooden addition that
included a dining room and kitchen, a real estate office
in the parlor and a young doctor
having an office in what is now the
downstairs bedroom. She also noted
that her father Otto Miller was a
coachman for a realty man named
Mr. Wieber, who owned the stone
house. Remarkably, Mrs. Hanlon’s
memory was very accurate.
German immigrants Otto and
Sophia Miller lived in the stone house
from 1901 to 1903 with their three
Viola Miller Hanlon children. Otto Miller worked as a
coachman for Charles L. F. Wieber. In
addition to owning “Cleveland’s Largest Exclusive Tailoring
House,” Mr. Wieber was president of the Lakewood Realty
Company (with Charles A. Cook as secretary and treasurer).
The company’s allotment office was in the stone house for
a short time. It is plausible that a personal employee of the
company’s president resided in the same house as the company
office. It is also possible that Dr. Charles Wood had an office
in part of the stone house prior to moving to a new location
immediately to the west at 14708 Detroit, which he shared
with Dr. Albert E. McClure.
The most well known occupant of the stone house during
the early 20th century was the Hostelley family. Born in
Pennsylvania, Gilbert Hostelley married his young bride in
1912 when he was 18 and she was just 16. Their son Gerald
was born two years later in LaFeria, Texas, a small town less
than ten miles from the Mexican border. At that time, Gilbert
was in the middle of a three-year stint in the US Army’s Signal
Corps. It is probable that Hostelley participated in the six-
1952
month occupation of the port city of Veracruz during the
Mexican Revolution. The 1920 Census shows the Hostelley
family living in (but not owning) the stone house. Starting in
1921, Gilbert P. Hostelley opened an upholstery and furniture
repair shop in the stone house, which remained until 1952.
Advertisements of the time show that the business included
“upholstering, repairing, caneing [and] living room furniture
made to order.” In addition, the Hostelley family rented living
space in the stone house for a number of years.
The area surrounding the Honam/Hotchkiss House
changed dramatically during the early 20th century. The house
was moved slightly westward for the construction of St. Charles
Avenue in 1901. Commercial buildings were constructed just
south of the stone house (fronting on Detroit Avenue), and
new houses lined the side streets immediately surrounding
the house. The property was owned by Lakewood Savings &
Loan from 1928 to 1942, when it was acquired by Julia and
Stephen Babin, who also purchased the 1916 commercial
1935 HABS
building on the northwest corner of St. Charles and Detroit
to house Babin Furs. In 1935, the stone house was drawn and
photographed for the Historic American Buildings Survey.
During this period from 1897 to 1952, the Honam/
Hotchkiss House was both a residential rental unit as well
as the site of a variety of commercial activities. These varied
uses reflect the dramatically changing development of the
City of Lakewood, which transitioned from a rural farming
community into a densely-populated city with an active
downtown district.
H i s t o r i c H o u s e Mu s e u m Pe r i o d
(1952-present)
Looking to expand his commercial building north, furrier
Stephen Babin offered the Honam/Hotchkiss House to local
historian Margaret Manor Butler at no cost if she promised to
move it by October 1952. Over the course of just two months,
Margaret Butler formed the Lakewood Historical Society,
negotiated with the City of Lakewood to secure a new location
for the house, and organized and funded the moving of the
house to Lakewood Park. The
Lakewood Historical Society,
an all volunteer organization
lead by Margaret Butler
and advised by prominent
Cleveland architect Munroe
Copper, then undertook a
major rehabilitation of the
house, which they named the
Oldest Stone House. One
year later, in the summer
1952
of 1953, the Oldest Stone
House opened as both a historic house museum and the home
of the Lakewood Historical Society. [Butler’s Herculean efforts
to save, move and rehabilitate the house are themselves worthy
of a book and will be addressed in a future newsletter]. In 1975,
a major construction project stabilized the foundation, added
environmental controls, built a basement and reconstructed
the wood frame summer kitchen space. In 1977, the Oldest
Stone House was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Since 1953, thousands of children and adults have
toured the Oldest Stone House Museum, learning about the
1952
early history of Lakewood and everyday life during the 19th
century. The house continues to serve as the headquarters for
the Lakewood Historical Society, where artifacts, photographs
and paper memorabilia pertaining to the history of the
community are preserved and studied. The preservation and
use of the Oldest Stone House as a museum reflected the
growing awareness of the importance of history within the
Lakewood community. The Oldest Stone House is recognized
as a symbol of Lakewood’s heritage.
The history of the Oldest Stone House reflects the evolving
development patterns that have occurred in Lakewood since the
early 19th century. The building functioned as a home in the
rural, farming community of Rockport Township throughout
the 1800s. As Lakewood rapidly transitioned to a booming
streetcar suburb during
the early 20th century, the
building occupants became
businesses and renters. As a
museum for the past halfcentury, the Oldest Stone
House continues to stand as a
tangible link to other periods
1953 in Lakewood’s history.
The Building Itself
The Honam/Hotchkiss House was constructed of area
sandstone in the Greek Revival style. The 1_ story structure
is the only remaining (of at least three) stone houses built in
Rockport Township (now Lakewood). The original sandstone
exterior walls, stone threshold, stone window and door lintels,
front door opening and window openings remain intact. Two
early, possibly original, windows remain on the second floor
east wall.
Much of the original interior architectural features and
floor plan of the house remain, including woodwork with a
simple bead decorative element, some interior doors, plaster
walls in all rooms, original poplar stair risers and boards, and
poplar floor boards throughout house. The original floor
plan probably followed those found throughout the Western
Reserve during this time period, consisting of two front parlors
and three rear rooms on the first floor and two bedrooms on
the second floor.
Some interior changes prior to 1952 included: widening
of some interior doorways (two off the front hall, door into
west bedroom doubled, door into east bedroom); the addition
1920
of narrower flooring above original poplar floorboards in
parlor; probable installation of the second floor ceiling; and
possible elimination of two walls on first floor, creating one
large L-shaped room (however, this may be original floor plan
or an earlier change).
Additional changes occurred between 1952 and 1960
by the Lakewood Historical Society under the advisement of
prominent Cleveland architect Munroe Copper, including:
the addition of an interior window above the stairwell; the
addition of electricity (outlets, lighting fixtures); installation
of historic but not original windows (Lakewood Historical
Society founder Margaret Manor Butler states the replacement
windows came from “Whippoorwill,” the 1830s Rockport/
Lakewood home of Jared Potter Kirtland located on Detroit
west of Bunts); alteration of the west wall door opening from
two exterior doors with a wall between to one exterior door
with sidelights; the addition of a fireplace removed from an
1830s Cleveland house; removal of the exterior brick water
table; and placement of the house directly on the ground with
no foundation.
Most likely, a wooden addition to the west side of the
house was built in 1834 or shortly thereafter. This wooden
addition probably contained the kitchen (there are no
original fireplaces in the stone structure), as well as additional
living spaces. This wooden addition was removed sometime
before 1901, as it is not seen in 1901 photographs. However,
architectural evidence of its existence, location and dimensions
remained in 1952 and the addition is seen on early maps. A
major construction project in 1975 included the replacement
of this one-story wooden addition, foundation stabilization,
HVAC system installation, replacement of original floor beams
(rotted), replacement of some original kitchen floorboards
(rotted), and installation of a concrete block basement which
now houses office, classroom, restroom, kitchen, storage and
utility spaces. The combination of the 1952-1960 and 1975
rehabilitations created a public space consisting of a historic
house museum interpreting the 1830s-1870s on the first and
second floors as well as modern facilities for office and storage
uses.
The house is no longer on its original setting. It is thought to
have been moved at least two times in its history. There is some
evidence that the house was moved almost 20 feet west of the
original Detroit location for the creation of St. Charles Avenue
in 1901. In 1952, the house was moved a second time to its
current location in Lakewood Park. Prior to this move, the house
was approximately eight feet from the west curb of St. Charles,
one foot south of a single lane
driveway (which still exists)
and approximately twelve feet
from the rear, north wall of
the 1916 commercial building
on Detroit. The house was
moved to make room for an
addition to this commercial
1953
building, which still exists.
At its original location, the main façade faced south towards
Detroit Avenue. The house is still situated on a portion of the
original Honam/Hotchkiss 97_ acre parcel.
The Heart of Lakewood
Once again, the 2nd and 3rd grade students at Grant
Elementary School have created a Lakewood history
documentary. This year, they focused on the Detroit/Warren
intersection, the “Heart of Lakewood.” The students studied
maps, read books, conducted oral history interviews of
Lakewood residents, selected historic photographs and went
on walking tours throughout the school year. They used this
research and information to write a script and create their
documentary.
The movie premiered at Lakewood Public Library in early
June and will soon be available on the society’s website: www.
lakewoodhistory.org This is the fourth year of our awardwinning local history project. The society works closely with
teacher Nadine Bluemel and her students to create a new
documentary each year.
Preservation Award
The Cleveland Restoration Society and the American
Institute of Architects, Cleveland recently honored the City of
Lakewood, the Lakewood Historical Society and Downtown
Lakewood (part of LakewoodAlive) with a 2009 Preservation
Award. The Preservation Awards recognize projects that have
contributed significantly to improving the quality of life in
Greater Cleveland through the preservation of our historic
architectural resources. These three groups have worked
together to increase awareness of Lakewood’s heritage and
promote the preservation of our community’s history.
City of Lakewood Planning & Development Director
Nathan Kelly accepted the award on behalf of all three groups
at the Cleveland Restoration Society’s annual Celebration of
Preservation at the recently restored Hanna Theater. The
award committee stated that “The entire streetcar suburb
of Lakewood has been determined eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places. In the last several years, this
historic city has successfully promoted preservation through
the activities of both its government and its many nonprofits.”
“In 2005, the City strengthened its demolition
ordinance and
then three years
later passed a
Pr e s e r v a t i o n
Ordinance. In
2006, the City
nominated
the Birdtown
neighborhood,
Angelos Pizza
2009
an ethnic enclave
developed for workers of the Union Carbide Company, to
the National Register of Historic Places. The City’s Planning
& Development Department has applied for Certified Local
Government status and has also surveyed the city’s commercial
buildings through Lakewood’s Heritage Advisory Board. The
results of the survey, including a ranking of historical and
architectural merit, are being used to guide development
decisions. Notable new projects, such as Rockport Square and
Rosewood Place, have been carefully planned and incorporate
preservation components. Successful and highly visible
adaptive reuse projects, such as the Winking Lizard and the
rehab of the First Church of Christ, Scientist into the Maxxum
Corporation offices, also highlight the best of Lakewood.”
“Nonp r o f i t
groups have
also worked
to promote
the city. In
2007, the
Lakewood
Hi s t o r i c a l
S o c i e t y,
Winking Lizard Tavern
2009
which has
traditionally focused on its museum, archives, and education
programs, created a Preservation Fund for endangered
properties. To date $20,000 has been raised. Downtown
Lakewood, which recently earned accreditation from the
National Main Street Center, holds many events that celebrate
the vitality and walkability of the city’s downtown. The
group is currently developing design guidelines for the central
business district.”
“Preservation at the local level is often best achieved
through thoughtful partnerships like that of the City of
Lakewood, Lakewood Historical Society, and Downtown
Lakewood. We commend these groups for their model efforts
and their many accomplishments.”
Geiger’s: A Historic Building
Downtown Lakewood is a LakewoodAlive initiative
dedicated to the revitalization of Lakewood’s primary
commercial district using the National Trust for Historic
Preservation’s Main Street template program. Lakewood is one
of only 38 communities in Ohio selected to participate in this
program, which is administered by Heritage Ohio. Heritage
Ohio recently named Geiger’s Clothing & Sports the Main
Street Business of the Year.
Geiger’s is a superb example of a highly-successful
independent family-owned business. Brothers Chas and
Gordon and their wives, Patti and Susan, represent the third
generation of Geigers to provide a delightful, personalized
1996
shopping experience in their shop, founded in 1932 in the
very same block in which the store now operates.
One of the key components of the Main Street program
is preservation. Chas and Gordon have shown their
commitment to preservation by the careful restorations of
both of their properties (their store and the building occupied
by Melt,) for which they won Lakewood Heritage Advisory
Board awards for preservation and commercial revitalization
in 2002 and 2008.
The Geiger name is synonymous with community
involvement. Both Chas and Gordon are active in many civic
groups and boards; Chas dedicated 21 years of service to the
Lakewood Board of Education. They sponsor a multitude
of Lakewood events, and have been backers of Lakewood’s
Main Street program from the beginning. Chas serves on the
board of LakewoodAlive, and on the Downtown Lakewood
Economic Restructuring committee. To paraphrase Gordon:
“Community involvement is a family tradition. Our father
and grandfather both believed in its importance, and we were
brought up to value it too.”
For 77 years, the name “Geiger’s” has represented quality,
style, class and community in Lakewood. They have stood
by the potential of Downtown Lakewood despite suburban
sprawl and big box stores. They have repeatedly adapted to
changing demographics and customer expectations without
abandoning their core values of quality and personal attention.
Their reach is long—at the Heritage Ohio awards ceremony, a
woman attending from Mansfield came up to introduce herself
to Chas. Turns out that, following in his father’s tradition,
her husband drives to Lakewood to shop at Geiger’s!
Hearty congratulations to Geiger’s Clothing & Sports
for being named Heritage Ohio’s 2009 Main Street Business
of the Year.
Paula Reed
LHS Member
LHS envelope.indd 1
May 2009
Address Service Requested
DATED MATERIAL
14710 Lake Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
established
1952
*The Lakewood
Historical Society
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cleveland, Ohio
Permit No. 1898