Swisher Mansions
John Swisher's Mansion
Built in the French Second Empire style at the turn of the twentieth century (c.1899-1901), John Swisher's mansion on North Third St was an impressive edifice of brick on a sandstone foundation. It was among the first of an expansion of large residences built by emerging industrialists during the period. [1] Unfortunately, the home of John Swisher is no longer extant. Owned by the Elks fraternal organization and run as their lodge, this Swisher Mansion was torn down in 1992 and a new Elks complex sits at its location. [2]
Harry Swisher's Mansion
When Harry Swisher sought to match the grandeur of Henry Fleek's neighboring home and his brother John Swisher mansion, he succeeded in leaving an opulent landmark to Newark's Gilded Age of wealthy industrialists. Harry, like his brother, made his money in cigar manufacturing with the Swisher Brothers Cigar Company, and his grand residence imitated the design of his brother's home built just before, using the same colors, porch columns, and even style of chimney [3] Built in 1901, Swisher's mansion had a number of unique features, including a conical turret. [4] At around 9,000 square feet, the mansion possessed amenities and decorative touches, such as a carriage house, a third-floor ballroom, and a firing range in the basement. The dining room also displays three Tiffany stained-glass windows. [5]
J.G.
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References
- ↑ Ohio Historic Inventory, (1976), no. LIC 96-16
- ↑ Kasson, C. “Landmark Coming Down,” The Advocate, May 14, 1992
- ↑ Satterfield, J. and Lusetti, J., "Who lived in all those big local houses?", The Newark Advocate, Sep. 14, 2014
- ↑ Ohio Historic Inventory, (1986), no. LIC 615-16
- ↑ Knific, M., "A Labor of Love: Newark woman tells history of Swisher Mansion," The Newark Advocate, Dec. 25, 2005
