Description: This photograph shows the lily pond at Laurel Court. The date on an identical photograph is 1938. Laurel Court was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of The Champion Coated Paper Company. Started in 1902 and completed in 1907, it is one of America’s best surviving examples of the opulent homes built during the “gilded age”. Upon its completion, Laurel Court was described as "the most sumptuous and palatial in this part of the country….finished with all good taste can command." Laurel Court, located in the Cincinnati community of College Hill, was built on an estate of approximately 23 acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County (greater Cincinnati). Laurel Court was listed on the National Historic Register in 1979. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F09_021_1
Subjects: Landscapes; Gardens--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio); Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_b03f03_035_001
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Architecture, Domestic--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_b03f03_040_001
Subjects: Architecture; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Atriums; Sculpture; Fountains
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_b03f03_038_001
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Architecture, Domestic--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Music
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F05_039_001
Subjects: Architecture; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Atriums; Sculpture; Fountains
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads "Cinci., O., Feb. 1938. Copy from Thompson Album". Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F07_008_001
Subjects: Architecture; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Atriums; Sculpture; Fountains
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads "Cinci., O., Feb. 1938. Copy from Thompson Album" This photograph shows the lily pond at Laurel Court. Laurel Court was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of The Champion Coated Paper Company. Started in 1902 and completed in 1907, it is one of America’s best surviving examples of the opulent homes built during the “gilded age”. Upon its completion, Laurel Court was described as "the most sumptuous and palatial in this part of the country….finished with all good taste can command." Laurel Court, located in the Cincinnati community of College Hill, was built on an estate of approximately 23 acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County (greater Cincinnati). Laurel Court was listed on the National Historic Register in 1979. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F05_037_001
Subjects: Landscapes; Gardens--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio); Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads "Music room, Peter Thompson Estate, College Hill north of Cincinnati." Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F12_010_001
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Architecture, Domestic--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Music
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads "Cinci., O., Feb. 1938. Copy from Thompson Album." Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F12_011_001
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Architecture, Domestic--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Libraries
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads "Cinci., O., Feb. 1938. Copy from Thompson Album." Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F12_009_001
Subjects: Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Architecture, Domestic--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Interiors
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads "Cinci., O., Feb. 1938. Copy from Thompson Album". Located at 5870 Belmont Avenue in the College Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Peter G. Thomson Home is better known as Laurel Court and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Beau Arts Neoclassical style home, completed in 1907, was built for Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper, and designed by James Gamble Rogers, the nephew of Peter’s wife Laura Gamble Thomson. It was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a “small” chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, and is considered one of the finest homes in America. The exterior is made from chiseled granite and was originally built on twenty three acres, on the highest point in Hamilton County. The Thomson family lived in the home until 1947. Today, the private residence stands on seven and a half acres of land, and the numerous original buildings, gardens, statues and fountains are open for tours and special events by reservation only. Some of the notable features of this home include the retractable roof of the two story Atrium in the center of the house, the Rookwood tiled swimming pool, the African Rosewood tiled Library, and the gilded Music Room. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B02F13_014_1
Subjects: Architecture; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Rogers, James Gamble, 1901-1990; National Register of Historic Places; Atriums; Sculpture; Fountains
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio) Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1935-1940, this photograph shows two men operating a calendar stack at the Champion Paper & Fibre Co. in Hamilton, Ohio. The Champion Paper and Fibre Company Plant was located at 601-619 NB Street in Hamilton, Ohio and covered approximately 60 acres along the Great Miami River. One of the largest coated-paper plants in the world, it began in 1893 by Peter G. Thomson (1851-1931) and was originally called Champion Coated Paper Company. The plant in Hamilton was built around 1902 and more buildings were added over the years as the company continued to prosper. In 1989, the Hamilton mill became the first paper mill in North America to recycle 100% of its solid papermaking waste and boiler ash, and the following year was awarded an environmental award for its efforts. In 2000, the Champion name disappeared as the company merged with International Paper Company. In 2001 the B Street mill was sold to Smart Paper LLC and continued to operate. Miami University bought several buildings in 2002. In 2004, the Knightsbridge property (in Hamilton) was sold to Harry T. Wilks who in turn sold it to Mahedra Vora and Timothy B. Matthews, who then turned the building into Vora Technology Park, a disaster recovery back-up data center. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F12_016_1
Subjects: Industries--Ohio--Butler County; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Champion Coated Paper Company; Champion Paper and Fibre Company; Paper mills--United States; Paper mills Equipment and supplies
Places: Hamilton (Ohio); Butler County (Ohio)