If you’ve ever driven down East Broad Street, you’ve probably seen some beautiful old homes, but one in particular stands out: the Charles H. Lindenberg Mansion, which also served as Ohio’s Governor’s Mansion for several decades.
This historic Georgian-style home, now over 100 years old, has an intriguing story that ties together Columbus’ architectural heritage, the state’s political history, and a glimpse into the lives of those who lived in Columbus during its early 20th-century boom.
Before Ohio had an official Governor’s Mansion, governors struggled to find a place to live in Columbus while in office.
In fact, it wasn’t until 1917 that the state began seriously looking for an official residence for its top official. Up until that point, many governors had to hop around from rental to rental during their term, often landing in hotels. James M. Cox, elected Governor in 1916, found himself in a tricky situation when he tried to rent a home at 940 East Broad Street, only to discover the recently elected Secretary of State had beaten him to the punch and already signed a lease!
It was this type of housing chaos that finally pushed the Ohio General Assembly to search for an official residence.
The home they ended up with? None other than the Lindenberg Mansion, a stunning property built in 1904 by Charles Lindenberg, a successful businessman and co-founder of M.C. Lilley & Company, a uniform manufacturing company in Columbus. With his company thriving, Lindenberg hired famed architect Frank Packard to design the mansion, using materials sourced right here in Ohio. Packard’s work can be seen throughout the state, including at Ohio State University’s Orton Hall and President Warren G. Harding’s front porch.
The mansion, located at 1234 E. Broad Street, is a showstopper.
It boasts nine bedrooms, a ballroom, and some seriously luxurious details. Inside, there was a wide front staircase that split into two in front of a Tiffany stained-glass window, marble sculptures imported from abroad, and a frieze of leather in peacock blue, bordered in gold. The mansion even had a steam-heated porch — pretty impressive for its time.
After the state purchased the mansion from the Lindenberg family in 1919, they set about making it ready for the governor’s family. This included some remodeling, adding a garden, and even furnishing the place with pieces made by prisoners at the Mansfield Reformatory. By February 1920, Governor Cox and his family were finally able to move in. Talk about a long wait! However, the mansion wasn’t destined to serve Ohio’s governors forever.
By the 1950s, the property had become dilapidated and needed extensive repairs and renovations. When it was discovered these repairs were not covered in the budget, the state decided it would be cheaper to find a new residence altogether.
By 1957, the state was gifted the Malcom Jeffrey home in Bexley, which became the new official Governor’s Mansion.
The Lindenberg Mansion, however, still stands tall today, now home to the Columbus Foundation. The legacy of the Lindenberg Mansion, with its mix of political history and architectural grandeur, remains a key piece of Columbus’ rich heritage. So next time you’re strolling down Broad Street, take a moment to appreciate this historic gem!