4028 Brookside | Ottawa Hills
When Everett E. Taylor and his wife Hazel took part in the 1930 census, they proudly provided the address of their new custom-built, 3,000 square-foot home, constructed at 4028 Brookside by the D. A. Spitznaugle Company.
Everett Ellsworth Taylor, a veteran of World War I, was originally from Logansport, Indiana. He married Hazel Broer of Toledo on February 16, 1918. By 1930, Everett was a partner in the Toledo Printing Company. Despite the dark days of the Great Depression looming just ahead, the Taylors and their two children were enjoying the dawn of the new decade in their new four-bedroom home overlooking the meadow along the Ottawa River in plat four of Ottawa Hills.
This fascinating film details the construction of the Taylor home, designed locally by Britsch & Munger. It includes footage of various craftsman (and horses) working their trades at the new Tudor from July 1 to December 15, 1929. The smiling girl and boy you see happily celebrating the finished house at the film's end are most likely Ruth and Richard—Everett and Hazel's children.
Everett lived in this home until his death at age 87 in 1981. Since then, the property has changed hands several times, including a stint by the Lathrop family. George Lathrop, who digitized this film, told me that a film canister was waiting for them in the kitchen when his family moved into the home. They were pleasantly surprised when they finally located a suitable projector to view it. The fantastic scenes of the undeveloped landscape surrounding the house are truly stunning.
Today, the current owners of this beautiful home still enjoy the rich architectural detail and fantastic floor plan showcased in this historical film. The front still faces the meadow along the Ottawa River and the private rear of the property backs up to St. Ursula Academy.
Special thanks to George Lathrop for sharing this Holy Toledo History treasure and Nelson Shaffer for bringing us together.