Located in the picturesque Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, the A. E. Burckhardt House proudly stands as the former residence of Adam Edward Burkhardt, a furrier originally from Bavaria. This grand mansion was granted a prestigious spot on the National Register of Historic Places in March 1980, highlighting its deep-rooted history and architectural significance.
Adam Edward Burkhardt, fondly known as A.E., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1845. At the age of just eight, he set sail for the United States, eager to explore new opportunities. His early years in America were spent working at the renowned dry goods emporium of Mitchell & Rammelsberg. Later, he refined his skills in hats and furs at Jacob Theis & Company. Through hard work and dedication, he quickly rose through the ranks to become the general manager within a mere twelve years. In 1866, he took a daring step, purchasing the business outright and renaming it The Burkhardt Brothers, marking the beginning of a prosperous chapter in his entrepreneurial journey.
In 1883, Burckhardt made a bold move by investing in the Avondale area, acquiring 16 acres of land for $36,000. This sizable plot was destined to become the site of a magnificent country estate. To turn his vision into reality, he sought the expertise of the renowned Cincinnati architectural firm, Samuel Hannaford & Sons.
Under the leadership of Samuel Hannaford, a prominent figure in 19th-century architectural design during the extravagant “Gilded Age,” the firm was celebrated for its ability to create grandiose structures. With a portfolio boasting over 300 notable buildings across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia, they were well-equipped to bring Burckhardt’s dream home to life. Their task was to design a residence that seamlessly combined elements of Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Victorian styles.
Construction of the magnificent mansion, named “Edgewood,” took place between 1886 and 1887. Spanning an impressive 8,000 square feet, the residence featured 33 rooms, including ten bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Its sheer opulence captured the imagination of the local community and garnered lavish praise in the newspapers during a significant 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 significant leap forward in expanding his business empire by establishing a small factory and store at the intersection of Fourth and Elm Streets. Unfortunately, a devastating fire swept through the establishment, reducing it to ashes. However, undeterred by this setback, he promptly reopened his enterprise on Race Street. Despite his efforts, the financial turmoil of the panic in 1893 plunged Burckhardt into deep financial trouble, leading to his bankruptcy by 1895.
To bounce back from his financial setbacks, Burckhardt, with the help of a loan totaling $825 from two former employees, ventured into the raw fur trade. Initially located at Second and Main Streets, the enterprise later moved to Third and Main Streets in 1905. At the same time, amidst his business endeavors, Burckhardt took on the role of president at the Cincinnati Zoo during a period of significant financial instability for the institution. His leadership lasted for 14 years, during which he steered the zoo through its challenging financial times.
Meanwhile, the grand estate of Edgewood entered a period of transition. In 1902, it was put up for sale, but failing to attract a suitable buyer, it eventually went under the hammer at a sheriff’s auction for a fraction of its appraised value, falling into the hands of Joseph Joseph. After Joseph’s passing in 1904, ownership of the estate transferred to his widow, who held onto it until 1919, when their son Arthur Joseph took over. Arthur, along with his wife Florence, lived in the magnificent residence until 1936, when it was acquired by 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.