1005 Elm Avenue
PhotosLegacy VersionGeneral Information
No: 1005
Street: Elm
House Name: Senator John Smith House
Historic Plaque: Y 2008
Owner Info: Y
Built: circa 1800
Sec: 28
Subdivision: Thomas R. Biggs Est.
Lot: Parcels 1 & 5???
Architect: unknown
Cont/build: unknown but perhaps John Smith
Description:
The original Smith House was a log structure that forms the nucleus of
this structure. It had four rooms and a second floor. The exterior has been
radically altered, but the interior with its low ceilings, wide planked floor boards and
hand blown glass panes, still retains some of its original integrity.
This house is located on a large tract of land in a fairly rural area in
the Village of Terrace Park Ohio Historic Inventory - 2/19/1976)
Now - 2 story, siding over original log structure, gable roof.
Original Use: Residential
Current Use: Residence and Farm
CHANGES:
As Built: N
Added To: Y
Subtracted From: N
Replaced: N
Description Of Changes: Covered log cabin now inside house. 1920s - East wing (including plumbing) added. Traces of old cabin visible under living room in basement. Kitchen well filled in under kitchen; cistern and hand dug well have been abandoned. 1935 - Ross restoration before (Times Star article 8/24/35 p. 3). (1938 front column porch added???) Village Views, February 1981, also refers to an addition made by Fritz Huber and Hume Corwin around 1936. 2005 - permit for Lindell to extend kitchen & add 2nd floor bedroom/bath. Jim Nordloh, architect. Mike Nordloh, contractor.
Shows earliest property ownership records
Stories:
Story 1: This land originally came from Covalt, Twn 5, Fr. R. 2Story 2: The Reverend John Smith was one of the earliest settlers of Columbia township. He organized the first church in the Miami Purchase in 1790. He was a member of the first constitutional convention which organized the State and at the first General assembly of the State of Ohio held in 1803. He and Thomas Worthington were the first senators of Ohio. Smith was senator from 1803-1808. (Ohio Historic Inventory - 2/19/1976)
Story 3: T. R. Biggs was probably born in this house. He married twice and repaired to Round Bottom Farm in 1854.
Story 4: In 1881 20 acres containing the Smith-Lindell house came on the market to be sold at auction as Lot #20 of the Thomas R. Biggs estate. It was bought by Joseph Foster of Clermont County with a successful bid of $2,000. 2/3 of its appraised value. In 1882 he sold it to Michael Leaf for $3,240. (Foster to Leaf deed)
Story 5: The 20 acres that Michael Leaf bought in 1882, containing the Smith/Lindell House, has now been divided with 11.77 acres staying with the original house (1005 Elm Avenue) and 8.23 acres going with Hap Lindell's home (1001 Elm Avenue). (information from Esther H. M. Power)
Story 6: Miller scrapbooks - Dec 23, 1965 (Christmas interior of home) & June 12, 1951, Post & Times Star articles by Polly Cramer. Also see article in Village Views (Feb 1981) for addition by Fritz Huber & Hume Corwin c. 1936.
Story 7: Judge Ross's law books remain on a book case in this house. He was a Judge in the Court of Appeals. Mrs. Simon Ross is the sister of Ruth Neely France, 435 Elm (according to the minutes of the TP Woman's Club, May 21, 1928).
Story 8: Carl Lindell, an attorney, was Mayor of Terrace Park 1944-51 and 1964-71 He served 6 terms in all, 4 of 2 years each and 2 of 4 years (see Lindell Memorial Grove by Log Cabin (710 Elm). He was Vice President of Cincinnati Gas & Electric. He died in 1978, aged 73 years.
Story 9: Frances Lindell - president TP Garden Club 1953-55. Frances Laura Lindell was born 17 February 1903 and died 27 February 1993, aged 90 years.
Story 10: This house is on the 17 October 2010 TP Historical Society House Tour, The White House Tour.
Abby and Pax Lindell, 1005 Elm Avenue. The Senator John Smith house was built in 1800 and has as rich a history as any home in the Cincinnati area. Although the original house was a log structure that has long since been covered with another exterior, the interior still bears the low ceilings, wide planked floor boards and hand-blown glass panes of another era. This property was once home to one of the earliest settlers of Columbia Township, yet boasts of being occupied by only five families in its long history. Guests may also tour the stables and grounds.