Nestled in the charming Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, the A. E. Burckhardt House stands proudly as the home of Adam Edward Burkhardt, a furrier hailing from Bavaria. This stately mansion earned its place on the esteemed National Register of Historic Places back in March 1980, a testament to its rich history and architectural significance.
Adam Edward Burckhardt, affectionately known as A.E., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1845. At a tender age of eight, he embarked on a journey to the United States, seeking new horizons and opportunities. His early years in America saw him laboring at the renowned dry goods emporium of Mitchell & Rammelsberg. Later, he honed his skills in the realm of hats and furs at Jacob Theis & Company. Through dedication and hard work, he ascended to the position of general manager within twelve years. Eventually, in 1866, he took a bold leap, purchasing the business outright and rechristening it as The Burkhardt Brothers, marking the beginning of a prosperous chapter in his entrepreneurial journey.
In 1883, Burckhardt made a significant investment in the Avondale area, acquiring 16 acres of land for a sum of $36,000. This expansive tract was earmarked for the construction of a splendid country estate. To bring his vision to life, he enlisted the expertise of the esteemed Cincinnati architectural firm, Samuel Hannaford & Sons.
Led by Samuel Hannaford, a towering figure in 19th-century architectural design during the opulent “Gilded Age,” the firm was renowned for its mastery in creating grand structures. Their portfolio boasted over 300 notable edifices across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Tasked with crafting Burckhardt’s dream home, they set to work on a design that seamlessly blended elements of Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Victorian styles.
The construction of this majestic mansion took place between 1886 and 1887, bearing the name “Edgewood.” Boasting an impressive array of features, the residence comprised 33 rooms, including ten bedrooms and seven bathrooms, sprawling across an expansive 8,000 square feet of living space. Its opulence captured the imagination of the local community, garnering lavish praise from the pages of the newspaper during a notable event.:
- “In all of Avondale there is no place more beautiful than Edgewood, the home of Mrs. A.E. Burkhardt, and in all the annals of Cincinnati’s social history, no reception has excelled in sumptuous appointment the one she gave yesterday to meet her niece, Miss Clara Erkenbrecher. The house of stone is built on the edge of one of the most picturesque woods in the Ohio valley and has a far-away view from every outlook. The interior is of royal magnificence, with its rare painting and statuary pieces from the A. T. Stewart collection, bric-a-brac picked up at intervals in Europe, and an abundant wealth of the floral world filled the house with delicious perfume and added to the general gorgeous effect. The drawing-room, furnished in white and gold, was lavishly decorated with bowls of pink and white roses. The hall was gorgeous in red: halfway upstairs beneath a superb stained-glass window was a floral window seat in yellow tulips. The library across from the drawing-room was a picture in yellow. The high shelves of the mantel were heaped with the golden flowers of spring and across the top of the long book-case were massed the same lovely flowers in riotous profusion. The rooms above the stairs were greatly admired, especially the Moorish room, and Mr. Albert Erkenbrecher’s bachelor quarters on the third floor. A full orchestra was stationed near the stairs and discoursed the brightest and latest of operatic and dance music. But the prettiest place in all the house was the dining room, a dream in green and white, and everybody was lost in admiration. The mantel was banked high in white Roman hyacinths, tulips and maiden-hair hyacinths and maiden-hair ferns.”
“At Edgewood, Brilliant Reception in Avondale.” Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Feb. 1892
In 1891, Burckhardt took a pivotal step in expanding his business ventures by erecting a small factory and store at the intersection of Fourth and Elm Streets. Unfortunately, a devastating fire razed this establishment to the ground. Undeterred by this setback, he swiftly reopened his enterprise on Race Street. However, the turbulent financial climate of the panic in 1893 plunged Burckhardt into dire financial straits, ultimately leading to his bankruptcy by 1895.
In a bid to rebound from his financial woes, Burckhardt, with the aid of a loan totaling $825 from two former employees, embarked on a new venture in the raw fur trade. This enterprise found its home initially at Second and Main Streets, later relocating to Third and Main Streets in 1905. Concurrently, amidst his business endeavors, Burckhardt assumed the mantle of president at the Cincinnati Zoo during a time of profound financial instability for the institution. His tenure in this role spanned 14 years, during which he navigated the zoo through its precarious financial predicament.
Meanwhile, the grand estate of Edgewood found itself thrust into a period of transition. In 1902, it was put up for sale, but failing to attract a suitable buyer, it eventually changed hands at a sheriff’s auction for a mere fraction of its appraised value, falling into the possession of Joseph Joseph. Following Joseph’s passing in 1904, ownership of the estate passed to his widow, who retained it until 1919, at which point their son Arthur Joseph assumed control. Arthur, along with his wife Florence, resided in the opulent residence until 1936, when it transitioned into the ownership of Robert H. Gibson.
In 1946, the grandiose structure underwent a transformation under the stewardship of Grace Jones, who repurposed it into the Queen City Rest Home, providing a haven for the elderly. Over the years, its role evolved, transitioning into the Queen City Nursing Home, steadfastly serving the community with its 37 beds until 2004. In 2005, the property changed hands for $250,000, with plans to repurpose it into office space.
However, the fate of the Burkhardt residence took a precarious turn in 2014 when proposals surfaced for its demolition, making way for the construction of an assisted-living facility.
This house no longer exists. It was demolished in 2022.