This photo @1900 shows one of the fine old residences of Cincinnati. Known as the Williamson Mansion, the old home fronted on 3rd Street, ran back to McFarland, and was between Elm and Plum Streets. At the time of the photo, the mansion was a run down, dilapidated tenement house. It was soon to give way to a brand new Wholesale factory for the Moch Berman Co., manufacturers of clothing. The march of progress can be relentless and the old home passed into history. The Williamson Mansion was built by George T. Williamson,a wealthy land merchant, who married a daughter of General James Taylor, of Newport, Ky. The property was sold to Mr. Williamson by the director of the Bank of the United States in 1837. The mansion was soon after erected on the property. The family was one of the most prominent in Cincinnati and lived there until 1870, even though Mr. Williamson died in London 20 years prior to that. The venerable old mansion then housed the Childrens Home of Cincinnati, until the Home removed to new quarters on 9th and Plum Streets. From a May 29 1900, Enquirer article comes the following story, ...the old house is the last one left standing of a famous collection of such pillared residences that in their day constituted the finest in the city. Third street, it is pleasing to recall at this time, was once distinguished by the fact that from Vine to what is now Central avenue there was on the north side high up the hill, these mansions that had beautiful grounds in front of them and looked out from a commanding position over the river, the view of which was unobstructed by buildings on the south side of the street. No more attractive residence portion of a city could have been desired than was third street in the old days. The Williamson Mansion was torn down in May 1902, and replaced with the Moch Berman Co, building, on the SWC of 3rd and McFarland Streets. That building, at 311 Elm Street still stands today, more than 110 years later.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 18:09:33 +0000
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