Distinguished Homes of Shaker Heights, Ohio

While the Van Sweringens created a encompassing vision for Shaker Heights, including the rapid transit system, Shaker Square (the second oldest shopping center in the United States), and the garden community concept, it is the architecture of the large homes that Shaker Heights is especially known for.

Many of the homes in Shaker Heights are almost as old as the community itself, and they are unique in architecture, most having been built in the Tudor Jacobethan, Colonial, or Georgian Revival styles, each one sitting on a large plot of land that is landscaped to show off the home to its best advantage.  Many of the homes have turrets, stained or leaded glass windows, wooden beams throughout, or solid wood paneling covering the interior walls.  Since homes were often heated by fireplaces, large fireplaces are in every communal room in homes with ornate carved fireplace mantels. 

If you want to learn the history, and see pictures of the distinguished home of Shaker Heights, the best way is to pick up the book, Distinguished Homes of Shaker Heights by Richard N. Campen.  Originally published in 1992, the book has just been reprinted for the 3rd time, and is filled with interior and exterior photographs taken by Campen, showing off the distinctive architecture and design of these lovely homes.

The home on the cover of the book, shown above, is the home that the Van Sweringen brothers built for themselves.  I pass this house every day when I come to work, and I can tell you that the photograph does not do it justice. It is a castle of a home.

Distinguished Homes of Shaker Heights is divided by architect, so that you can learn about each architect's vision for the homes they designed.