Enchanting No More

 

Do you remember the House of Enchantment?

I wrote about it back here. It was a 1964 model home located on Leavitt Road that, according to the Ohio Fuel Gas Company which sponsored it, was “the pattern for modern, gracious living.” 

The less-than-enchanting Lorain County Auditor photo

According to a newspaper ad published at the time of its unveiling, “The spacious rooms, year ‘round air conditioning, labor-saving gas kitchen and laundry, unique decorations, and new ideas make this a house to remember.”

Well, at least one of my readers remembered it from my 2014 blog post. 

About a week ago, I received an email from a reader named Scott, who wrote, "I thought I would let you know that the "House of Enchantment,” also known as 5109 Leavitt Road in Lorain, has been bulldozed.

"I remember you did a little article on it a few years back. It was built by the local developer Clem Rice in the early '60s with newer advanced features of the day. I guess the "Shops on 58" plaza on that side of the road bought the land to either make more shops to go to and spend money, or to make a parking lot/driveway.

"The house was run down and empty anyway, but I always remembered the "House of Enchantment" from your blog every time I drove by it. I bet it was really something when it was brand new. Now it's nothing but memories.”

Here’s how the house looked back in 2014. It sure was a cozy setting with all those trees.

And here’s the disenchanting “now” shot from Friday. Just call it Stumpville.

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When Scott told me that the house had been demolished, I headed over there late that day to grab my customary 'steaming rubble' shot. Although the house had already been taken down and plowed under, the cool retro barbecue pit was still standing in the rear of the property.

There was also the mailbox – complete with unopened 5109 Leavitt Road mail in it (I peeked) – ripe for the taking.

But the barbecue and mail box were both down on my last visit a few days later. So nobody will be grilling a thick, juicy steak at 5109 Leavitt Road any time in the near future. 

I guess anyone who wants beef for dinner is going to have to go next door to Charley’s Philly Steaks.

Thanks to Scott for the heads-up about the demolition.