Vermilion Views

Rosedale: From the outset I’ll make this as luculent as humanly possible. Swift’s Hollow, just south of Mill Hollow, is not haunted; there was no mean old man named “Gore” who ran an orphanage there; and no children died, or were buried, there after a fire or epidemic. What was there, however, was something so unusual and beautiful that photographs of it taken by an Elyrian, William Schiede, were once the focus of an architectural exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. It was called “Rosedale”.

During the War of 1812 a Williamstown, Massachusetts man named Joseph Swift enlisted, and spent two years in the American military. Afterward the government gave him 150 acres in the Western Reserve territory for his troubles. The land was fertile river bottom very much suited for farming. It was nestled in a wooded hollow some 7 miles south of the mouth of the Vermilion River.

Here Swift built a small home and got to the business of clearing the black walnut, cherry, whitewood, and oak trees to make room for crops. In short order his efforts were rewarded. Few ports on the lake were unfamiliar with Swift’s corn crops. Before long he purchased several hundred additional acres - including the high bluffs overlooking the hollow.

In addition to this the wealthy farmer also desired to have a house that would better reflect his good fortune.

Work by Elyria carpenter/builder, Mr. Lang, began in 1840. It took two years to build. A New York architectural firm designed it. rosedaleplansvv In architectural text books the house is eminent because it was a fine example of early American architecture called the “Greek Revival Phase” (1800-1850). Four ionic columns decorated at the top graced the front of the structure. They had been transported by barge canal from New York State. Two large French decorated windows in line with the four columns at opposite ends of the front of the house were separated by a 35 by 10 foot porch. In the center of the porch stood the front door with two windows on each side.

The quality of the interior was no less exceptional. The framing timber came from the surrounding woods and was cut at the mill in Mill Hollow. The Whitewood planing material came from the mill of a Mr. Stiles of Cleveland.

At the back of the house was a covered piazza with smooth stone flooring in (again) an “L” shape. Here a lush flower garden afforded a southern atmosphere to the colonial structure. At the front lay the wonderful rosegarden which gave name to the Swift manse; Rosedale.

Aside from being an architectural wonder Rosedale also played an important role in the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War. The various barns about the property were used to quarter slaves awaiting passage to Canada in search of freedom.

The Swift Family sold the home in 1866 (PJ 1-23-03). In 1901 the place was essentially abandoned. Then in the early 1920’s when folks were just about to restore the home it was destroyed by fire. And all that is left is the foundation and a few stones scattered about the ground..."

Published in the Vermilion (Ohio) Photojournal on May 30th, 2005

Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live