Description: Caption on reverse reads: "Old Taft Home. Mt. Auburn. Taft Birth Place. Cincinnati, Ohio." This building is located at 2038 Auburn Ave., in the Mount Auburn neighborhood of Cincinnati. The 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Howard Taft was born here September 15, 1857, and lived here until he left for Yale University in 1874. The 2-story Greek Revival house is believed to have been built by the Bowen family around 1835. William's parents, Alphonso and Louise Taft bought the house in 1851. The second floor and roof were damaged by fire in 1878. In 1889 the elder Tafts moved to California and decided to lease the house. Alphonso died in 1891, and the tenants allowed mourners to gather at the house. Louise eventually sold the house in 1899 to Albert C. Thompson, United States judge for the Southern District of Ohio, and moved to Massachusetts. About five years later, around 1904, the front veranda was removed, and several of the outbuildings demolished. The tower on the right, in the photograph, was probably also removed at this time. The home underwent several changes of ownership for the next few decades, and by the 1940s, the new owner Elbert R. Bellinger had decided to convert the building into apartments. The William Howard Taft Memorial foundation, organized in 1937, was eventually able to buy the property for the assessment price of $35,000 sometime after 1953. By 1961, the home was desperately in need of restoration, which would cost $92,500. The house was declared a National Landmark in 1964, with a dedication ceremony taking place September 15 of that year, 107 years after William's birth. It was added National Register of Historic Places on in 1966 and was transferred it to the National Park Service in 1968. The United State government obtained the property in 1970. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B09F13_007_1
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930; Taft, Alphonso, 1810-1891; National Register of Historic Places; National Historic Landmark Program
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Cinci. O. Sept. 1937" Old Taft House (birthplace)" This building is located at 2038 Auburn Ave., in the Mount Auburn neighborhood of Cincinnati. The 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Howard Taft was born here September 15, 1857, and lived here until he left for Yale University in 1874. The 2-story Greek Revival house is believed to have been built by the Bowen family around 1835. William's parents, Alphonso and Louise Taft bought the house in 1851. The second floor and roof were damaged by fire in 1878. In 1889 the elder Tafts moved to California and decided to lease the house. Alphonso died in 1891, and the tenants allowed mourners to gather at the house. Louise eventually sold the house in 1899 to Albert C. Thompson, United States judge for the Southern District of Ohio, and moved to Massachusetts. About five years later, around 1904, the front veranda was removed, and several of the outbuildings demolished. The tower on the right, in the photograph, was probably also removed at this time. The home underwent several changes of ownership for the next few decades, and by the 1940s, the new owner Elbert R. Bellinger had decided to convert the building into apartments. The William Howard Taft Memorial foundation, organized in 1937, was eventually able to buy the property for the assessment price of $35,000 sometime after 1953. By 1961, the home was desperately in need of restoration, which would cost $92,500. The house was declared a National Landmark in 1964, with a dedication ceremony taking place September 15 of that year, 107 years after William's birth. It was added National Register of Historic Places on in 1966 and was transferred it to the National Park Service in 1968. The United State government obtained the property in 1970. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F05_001_001
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930; Taft, Alphonso, 1810-1891; National Register of Historic Places; National Historic Landmark Program
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Greek revival dwelling, located 2038 Auburn Ave, Mount Auburn neighborhood, Cincinnati; 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court spent most of his youth here. His father Alphonso bought the house in 1851. Damaged by fire in 1878; by 1889 the house stood unoccupied as the Tafts had moved to California and their children were grown. The house passed out of the family at the turn of the century; by the 1940s it had been cut into apartments. The William Howard Taft Memorial Foundation, organized coincident to this photograph, eventually obtained title, and transferred it to the National Parks Service. Added to National Register October 15, 1966 (#66000612). Reverse reads: "Cinci., O. Sept. 1937. Old Taft House (birthplace) Mt. Auburn" View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F05_002_001
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930; Taft, Alphonso, 1810-1891
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Greek revival dwelling, located 2038 Auburn Ave, Mount Auburn neighborhood, Cincinnati; 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court spent most of his youth here. His father Alphonso bought the house in 1851. Damaged by fire in 1878; by 1889 the house stood unoccupied as the Tafts had moved to California and their children were grown. The house passed out of the family at the turn of the century; by the 1940s it had been cut into apartments. The William Howard Taft Memorial Foundation, organized coincident to this photograph, eventually obtained title, and transferred it to the National Parks Service. Added to National Register October 15, 1966 (#66000612). Reverse reads: "Old ^William H. Taft House, Mt Auburn, Cincinnati" View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F05_003_001
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930; Taft, Alphonso, 1810-1891
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)