- It's more important to mow the yard than have windows!
- Why does it always feel like there's a draft in here?
Abandoned Mansion , Milan OH
You wouldn't guess how big this place is by looking at the front. Perhaps it was designed by some Victorian architect who was accustomed to working on town homes that fit a long, narrow lot. Who knows? This is the view to the main road (113) but it is the side facing east that is the most dramatic. Apart from the overlay of shingles, the original fabric of the building seems to be intact, though awfully decayed in places.
Here is another view of the front that I found:
www.flickr.com/photos/vidalia/146547835/in/photostream/
Here on Youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUQKMT1QS0o
Comments and faves
Doogal :o) Back in VT, DeBBaKeR~*~, Tom a.k.a. Hawkeye, Ian von Talee, and 33 other people added this photo to their favorites.
JJKDC (42 months ago | reply)
Nice shot of an old beauty...
Doogal :o) Back in VT (42 months ago | reply)
Absolute, Jaw-scraping
Favorite, Jon!
Oooo- I see more.
There's more...Yay!
( Jennifer ) (42 months ago | reply)
Oooo. I want to go there!
DeBBaKeR~*~ (42 months ago | reply)
Man, this is SO cool, Jon!
Tom a.k.a. Hawkeye (42 months ago | reply)
Wow! What a cool place!
Beautiful capture!
hallecats36 (42 months ago | reply)
Lovely
Ian von Talee (42 months ago | reply)
In my area, you never (ever!) see the Second Empire style on rural homes- it simply wasn't done. The only ones we have are in urban areas (which makes more sense, really- the mansardic roof adds floor space to an otherwise smaller house- that space would be much more desired in urban areas, where wide houses would be improbable). Out in the country, one could just build out, not up. I wonder, then, if the original owner of this home didn't use this narrow design to add some feeling of modern urban class to his farm.
But either way, it's an astounding structure and I dearly hope the town of Milan takes it under its preservationist wing, so to speak.
postpanglossian (42 months ago | reply)
I don't remember this one, as fond as am of Milan.
I'd guess it's from a pattern book, as is [I think] the case with most houses in rural parts of the Western Reserve..
I'd say that the skinny front actually makes sense, since the roadway even at that point in time was already the least desirable frontage, presenting the least desirable vista from inside the house.
I've also always really enjoyed the way that these skinny rural houses on main roads seem to imply an extension of the nearby metropolitan area, regularized ["geometricized"] in the same way, due to the original surveying and subsequent settlement pattern, and I too have always thought that an implication of urbanity was intentional on the part of the owner-builders of these houses, especially when they were building second empire.
As for preservation, I don't hold out much hope, as Milan [and the entire Western Reserve] are overfilled with decaying stuff. Imagine my dismay when I recently saw the current condition of this old favorite, located just off the square in the center of town:
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
I went by that place last Sunday but it was dark. Seen it so may times but never was able to take any photo's of it. I live in Elyria just off Rt 113.
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
postpanglossian, I got some pictures of that Italianate too as I stopped in town for a bit. The owner of a bed and breakfast across the street was the person that I talked to who told me the town is so prominent in historic preservation. He said that the owner of the house you have pictured is now fixing it up. Personally I was horrified to hear that hi first step was to install fake divided replacement windows in the front. I don't have as good a view as you have here but I will be posting it.
Ian, Second Empire is not as common in the country but certainly can be found all over the area, as well as some very large, stylish Victorian farmhouses that rival a lot of urban architecture of the time. Apparently, when a farmer had the income, this was an accepted way to express it and the knowledge of what architectural styles were popular at the time, was well known. I will say this, you really take a look at a large mansion in the middle of no where when you see it!
Randy, get some pictures of it!
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
I'd like to go in it and get some pic's.
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
Just make sure no one is at home! And be sure to post them, sounds like the interior is fantastic too!
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
Only ghost may be home.
borzoibob (42 months ago | reply)
The plot thickens ! So it appears to be inhabited ? Oh the suspense,update please guys !
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
No upstairs window so I have a good idea no one lives there, I hope.
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
Randy, you are the closest. Maybe you could run down and see if there is a light on!
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
Well I'll try but it won't be till next week some time.
wallflower810 (42 months ago | reply)
This house has everything that I love in a Victorian home, a mansard roof with colored slate, an exceptional cornice with excellent detail, great detail in the window surround topped off with its original shutters, its original double entry doors, and it original entry porch. This house is unbelievably intact and it is painful to see it in such poor shape.
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
Couldn't agree more, wallflower!
Randy, check on the first picture, other locals are sure no one lives there but it is looked after.
cupcakes2, (42 months ago | reply)
Jon - I SO Want this house !!! this is a treasure !!! i saw this and it was instant Love ! .. give a guess, how much would something like this take to fix ?? is something like this fixable ? .. my head is spining !! i just love it !!
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
Yes I think it is watched over. I can remember this house for years looking like it does and people did live in it. But I will ask around and see who is taking care of it.
cathemoel (42 months ago | reply)
This is a beautiful capture, and to continue my Addams theme it is creepy. But not kooky or oooky .
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
Karen, A couple hundred thousand would be a good start. I'm sure it could be spiffed nicely with half a million. The thing is, it doesn't have to be completely restored to mint condition, even covering the windows, which cost very little, would make all the difference in the world! Isn't it great though, I love it too!!
Randy, Thanks, if you get the chance!
cathemoel, definitely mysterious and spooky!
borzoibob (42 months ago | reply)
Ok Jon. Sounds like you had better start a preservation club/society for this house ! 4-6 guys,a scaffold tower, 8-10 sheets of waterproof ply, some roofing felt ,slates etc ,a long weekend or yes almost forgot the owners help/permission and it could be waterproof for the next 6-10 years. What say you my friend !
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
Rob, I would do it! There is the small issue of the owner though... might help to know who it is!
borzoibob (42 months ago | reply)
Perhaps a little research then !
Randy B 60 (42 months ago | reply)
I'm in I'm a pretty good carpenter. I think there is a house across the road from it I could ask them what they know.
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
That would be great, Randy!
Vict architecture guy (42 months ago | reply)
This house is likely 'doomed to remuddle" by someone who thinks that they are "saving" that house. Years later when someone comes along who actually knows what they are doing this house will cost 3 times as much to restore properly. As someone who now has to recreate 15 wood windows in an 1871 Second Empire Cottage I am restoring I know what its like to come in a fter an 'well intentioned' but misguided attempt to save a house.
For those of you who love second empire architecture come to Cincinnati we have thousands here and many need restoration. There are al least a dozen in my neighborhood alone and I can't restore them all!
Equinox27 (42 months ago | reply)
Vict. architecture guy, I agree, sometimes it's better to do nothing than to ruin the historic fabric of an old building. This house does not look like it is on the verge of being remuddled though, it appears to be drifting into oblivion! When the condition of a house this big reaches this state of disrepair it is unlikely that anyone will spend the amount of money needed to restore it properly. It is possible though!
I also agree about the windows. As well intentioned as replacement windows are, nothing obliterates the historic character of an old house like taking out the original windows. In my opinion, it's better to have double pane storm windows made that leave the originals intact. I also have a thing about slate roofs being replaced with fake, asphalt "slate-looking" shingles. Help!!
I enjoyed your photostream and the many houses you show there and all the work you have done!
distractedsf (41 months ago | reply)
I sure hope the roof and windows get sealed so it doesn't suffer the fate of the glorious Stick mansion on Alfred Street in Brush Park which gradually fell in on itself over a ten year period. This is too fine a building to just let rot. Thanks for sharing the photos.
moonspenders (41 months ago | reply)
I was in Milan about a decade ago on a random road trip and saw this house. It was abandoned back then too... looking a little worse for the wear these days! I guess it intrigued my because of the Addams Family feel to it. i just happened to be stopped at a stop sign and it was right in front of me.
I'd love to own and fix up something like this... though I do believe I need to win the lottery first. LOL
Randy B 60 (41 months ago | reply)
Still haven't been able to get out that way. May look good with snow.
Ilcaripawi (37 months ago | reply)
*Wonderful Image*
Hi, I'm the admin for a group called Once was home and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Please tag your image with ”Once was home”.
crescent hill designs (33 months ago | reply)
why do people let homes like this go to waste? Such a shame
Equinox27 (8 months ago | reply)
On Youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUQKMT1QS0o&featu re=related