Cincinnati Historic Homes is thrilled to offer this stately Glendale, Ohio home for sale. With its soaring 12 ft ceilings, expansive 1.88 acre lot, oasis-like in-ground swimming pool, 8 impressive fireplaces, and lively era-appropriate wall paper, there’s plenty to talk about, but what has really gripped our interest is why this home has two names.

Fastened firmly below two cast cherubim wall sconces are plaques that seem to tell a dueling history of the home.  One reads “George Crawford House, Circa 1854” and the other, “Ashlea.1854. Home of Ruth and Frank Miller for over 50 years.”

We do know that this home has changed hands very few times in its 160 odd years. It did, however, go through a period of disrepair, during which time, some of its oral history may have also been lost. The City of Glendale has this home listed as one of its 58 (originally 59) designated Pivotal Structures, and they refer to it as the Hughes house. So where does the George Crawford reference come from, and who was Hughes?

Let’s take a little detour and talk about Glendale itself for one moment.  According to this document from the National Preservation Society, Glendale is one of the earliest planned suburbs, and the town itself was most likely modeled off of cemetery plans (creepy and cool!). In 1795 the land itself was deeded to John Cleves Symmes (sound familiar?), who in turn deeded it to John Riddle For the next 50 years, the land changed hands, and was ultimately purchased by two men who saw potential due to the railroad that was nearing completion. One of those men was none other than…GEORGE CRAWFORD! 825 Greenville Avenue is situated just two blocks from the historic Glendale business district, which itself is situated just along the railway that Crawford foresaw being the new artery along which the then unbuilt village of Glendale could thrive, and this is likely how his name became permanently attached to one of its earliest structures. The Hamilton County auditor even uses “Crawford” in the parcel ID for this home.

Fortunately, the Glendale Heritage Preservation website is a wealth of resources. This entry in their online archives simplifies it a little. George Crawford is credited for building the home for H.W. Hughes, who because its second namesake. H.W. Hughes was the V.P. Pro Tem of the Union National Bank in Cincinnati. Another significant player in the history and preservation of this home was neighbor Daniel McLaren, superintendent of the railroad that ran through and defined early Glendale. According to a walking tour document on record at the Heritage Preservation, McLaren rescued the house after it garnered the nickname “The Haunted House” due to its state of disrepair.

Fortunately for the next owners, this home has been beautifully maintained in recent years, and has seen a number of updates. There’s little to do but move, and begin enjoying this private oasis that is just two blocks away from the Historic Glendale business district. With local establishments like the Bluebird Cafe (a popular brunch spot), the Cock and Bull (a popular spot for trivia and craft brew), wine tasting at the Piccolo Wind Room, and world-class cuisine at the Meritage, you may never have to leave, at least not on a Sunday. Out of town guests can even stay in the nearby boutique Glendalia Hotel and revel in the charm that is Historic Glendale. Will you be the next caretaker of this historic oasis?

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To visit find out more about this home visit the MLS listing.

We love collecting stories of the homes we feature here.  If you have history, information, or a memory you would like to share about this property or any we have featured on the blog, please email us at info@cincinnatihistorichomes.com.