Friday, August 21, 2026

That House By Lakeview Park – Revisited "Then & Now"

While getting my photo of the Lorain Public Library last weekend, on the way home I happened to pass this well-known Lorain landmark at 1405 West Erie. I couldn't resist talking the photo above, since the sunlight was just right.

It's a quite different view from the last time I photographed this house back in 2012.

At that time, the house was the subject of a two-part post on this blog. Part 1 dealt with the fact that the residence was a Sears home, and featured quotes and information by a gracious authority on the subject, Rose Thornton. Part 2 included my research as to who lived in it over the years.

But somehow during my research back then, I missed the fact that at some point, it was known as Wickens Manor and was the home of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Wickens. I was only made aware of it by stumbling upon this vintage postcard.

So of course, I had to go back there last night and try to get a matching 'now' shot. I couldn't quite match the angle, and a sign post got in the way. So this was the best I could do.

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And as noted on Part 1 of my 2012 post, the house shows up on several Lorain Tornado postcards.
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6 comments:

  1. Don HiltombAugust 21, 2026 at 6:55 AM

    George B. Wickens was a long-time Lorain undertaker. There were also "Wickens-es" who were lawyers, E.M. - at least in the 1940s, and William G., who served as County Prosecutors office in the 1940s.

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  2. BusterAugust 21, 2026 at 11:22 AM

    Thanks, Dan - The tornado photo is really something.

    Don - like the "Hiltomb" appellation!

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  3. LHS Blazer ManAugust 21, 2026 at 11:43 AM

    My family lived across the street at 1414 West Erie. I must have passed by it a thousand times, but I never knew who lived there until now, even though I had a Journal paper route that covered both sides of that block and more. Scandal: This prominent Lorain family did not, apparently, subscribe to the Journal!! Coincidentally, the other half of the law firm of Wickens & Herzer lived close by on North Lakeview Drive. Another prominent Lorain family, the
    Peter & Archibald Delis’s of Delis Brothers Furniture, lived directly across the street at 1404 West Erie and a few houses down at 1418, respectively. That’s all for now, Dan. I’m tired.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 21, 2026 at 2:08 PM

    I never knew that those east and west wings were originally open porches. Today, they appear to be closed sunrooms.

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  5. WendyAugust 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM

    Sure enjoyed all your posts this week Dan…

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