The house where Doris was born

[webmaster]

What about my question

She couldn't have been born there if the house is 79 years and she is in her eighties - could she?
Unless they have the age of the house wrong or she was born somewhere else and went to live there as a 5-year old or something.

And, yeah, right, Suzie!

[globack]

I've had the same thought about the age of the house and her age. It sure would be nice if someone who knew her knew about our little discussion here. I know she has a cousin that still lives in Western Hills and the woman who was in the car she wrecked in as a teen is still in the area. They would know. I'm just dying to know which is the correct house.

[John M]

I wouldn't take the "age" in the real estate listing as gospel. But it's also possible, depending on how old the house was at the time Doris lived in it, that it could have been torn down and rebuilt after Doris' family moved out after her parents' divorce.

George, have you thought about going down to the Cincy Hall of Records or Tax Collector's office, and reseraching the history of that house?

[John M]

I hope this works: here is the link to the Hamilton County Auditor's page on the property. It lists "Year Built" as 1925, but that is often the year of the last major overhaul, i.e. splitting it into multi-family units.

Not sure if the report will still come up with this link:

http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/age ... 15&go.y=10

[globack]

Actually, yes I had been thinking of going to look at the actual records. I had hoped to find something online but physically doing it is what I'll probably have to do. I've emailed Dusty Rhoads to see if he could point me in the right direction.

[webmaster]

I just checked David Kaufman's book, which says:

"When Doris was born.... The Kappelhoffs were living with Grandma Welz in her large ground-floor apartment at 3475 Greenlawn Street in Evanston..... "

He says DD's Grandma was living there before 1922 so the house must be older than stated.

[globack]

The only picture I've seen of her near the house was from the 70's book and that was just a backyard photo with little background to make out.

George

[webmaster]

Nice avatar, George.

Tried to find a pic of her home but couldn't.

[Debbi Austen]

I have seen pictures of the house in documentaries. Bryan posted the one from Hollywood Greats.

Here's the one from It's Magic. Looks like the same house:



From Sentimental Journey they show a different house, but it is after her parents divorce and she is a teenager:



I have a picture of Doris as a child in the yard, but I think the houses in the background are across the street:

[Debbi Austen]

That one of Doris could have been taken anywhere.

Love the avatar, George.

[webmaster]

Great pics, George. I think it's definately the same house.


Re: That one of Doris could have been taken anywhere.

If I were to put my Sherlock Holmes hat on I would say that is unlikely:
She's very young, it looks like her neighbourhood, the houses are very similar.
She looks 'at home' and not dressed up to be visiting somewhere else
She looks familiar with the environment (hanging on to the tree).

And doesn't she look cute!!

[Barb_DDD]

Great work Sherlock. I think you are on to something.
Barb

[Daisy June]

I agree with Barb. Great Job!!

She was a cutie as a toddler and WOW look at her now, still a beauty.

Carol

[Debbi Austen]

Great detective work on the picture, Bryan, however my name is Debbi, not George. I wanted to add that my house was actually 8 years older than the realitor advertised when I first looked at it, so I wouldn't go by that information.

Here's another picture. It's hard to tell exactly what the house looks like but it could be the same structure.

[webmaster]

Sorry, Debbi - I thought George had posted the pics.

Doris' father was quite handsome.

[Barb_DDD]

While we are looking at Doris' house, are there any other places of interest that are still standing? ....Welz' bakery, the dance studio, the church her father played in?
Barb

[Daisy June]

And where did Grace Raine live?

Carol

[Debbi Austen]

George did say that St Marks, the church were Doris' Dad played the organ is still in operation. I wonder if it would be possible to get a picture of that.

[globack]

Debbi, that's a great photo of Doris as a small child touching the tree. I was looking at that photo and if you look at it, she is actually on the sidewalk next to the street. That's the Greenlawn and Jonathan intersection. You can see the sidewalks where she is standing and across the street. Also, the two houses in the background are still at the intersection and look just like the houses that are standing there today. From this picture, it looks like she is on the front sidewalk of the house we have been dabating. This could be the house after all. When I get a chance I'll go downtown and research the previous owners. I'll also see if I can get a look inside. It should be easy since the house is up for sale.

Also, the tree in the photo of the house you submitted, Debbi, looks like it is in the same position as the tree she is touching in the photo of her as a small child. In the small child photo, it looks like the tree was recently planted with a tree support next to it. Attached is the Greenlawn and Jonathan intersection today that is close to the same location as the picture of Doris in Debbi's picture.

Debbi, your pictures were great for this discussion!

[globack]

George did say that St Marks, the church were Doris' Dad played the organ is still in operation. I wonder if it would be possible to get a picture of that.

[globack]

Great pics, George. I think it's definately the same house.


Re: That one of Doris could have been taken anywhere.

If I were to put my Sherlock Holmes hat on I would say that is unlikely:
She's very young, it looks like her neighbourhood, the houses are very similar.
She looks 'at home' and not dressed up to be visiting somewhere else
She looks familiar with the environment (hanging on to the tree).

And doesn't she look cute!!

[Debbi Austen]

Wow! this is great! Just like going on a virtual tour of Doris' home town!

[Daisy June]

That is pretty cool.

Wish I could buy it. Her house, not the church.
Carol

[globack]

That is pretty cool.

Wish I could buy it. Her house, not the church.
Carol

I know, Carol. Actually, it's only $95K and has three rental units in it. It would pay for itself through rent. It's tempting.

[suzie]

George thanks so much for the pictures. Sure would be tempting to purchase the home, the price is right especially for an investment, but just a little too far for me to be able to take care of the rents and such. St Marks is still beautiful . It will be fun to hear from you george, should you go see the place.Wouldnt it be great if the realitor had an open house so you could go and see it without an appointment ?