Home & Style

Mapped Out: Rockefeller Homes

Nov. 18, 2011 | 5:00 AM

In the mid-1920s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. commissioned an exclusive residential development on land from his father's Forest Hill estate. Today, the 81 French Norman homes in East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights' Forest Hill Historic District are known as the "Rockefeller homes." Follow our map and look for these details.


Bricks

All the brick used in Rockefeller homes was kilned together in a custom color pallet.


Mirrored twins

Architect Andrew J. Thomas designed nine home styles for the project. Most of the houses have a mirrored twin next door.


Steep roofs

The houses' steep pitch is typical of the French Norman style.


Wrought iron

Used in lanterns that served as porch lights on many homes, wrought iron was also used in the original mailboxes.


Sandstone

Some of the home styles feature sandstone flagging on exterior corners and doorways.


Oak timbers

Some homes' facades are decorated with oak timbers. Other homes have oak porches.

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