The Summer Estate owned by Charles Hamot Strong, was an exclusive getaway hidden away in the woods situated on a bluff overlooking Presque Isle Bay, located within the general area of Washington Place and Strong Drive. The 47-acre tract of property on which the Estate sat was family owned for more than 125 years. President William H. Taft visited the Estate on September 17, 1911, as a guest of the Strong family. Taft also stayed at the Strong’s Mansion in Erie. Charles Strong moved into his vacation home when he separated from his wife in 1918, residing their until until his death in 1936. The Estate, which was sold at auction after his passing, stood vacant throughout the years. Though the property was guarded, from time-to-time, the Estate was a major attraction to many children who saw it as a real adventure to sneak onto the property and explore it. Demolished in the 1980s, the Estate no longer exist.
The Estate was built of stone boulders and frame siding accentuated by the use of tree trunks inside and out. The living room and dining room had open beam ceilings using uncut tree trunks for the beams with a wood ceiling laid in a lateral pattern. The great center hall was
A-shaped, with a 2-story cathedral ceiling reflecting the same design found throughout the 2nd Floor’s
U-shaped-upper-hall, which had built-in bookshelves and hand-rubbed wall paneling. The Kitchen was generous in size and the Dining Room had a brick wood-burning fireplace. There was many windows throughout, offering panoramic views of the grounds and the Bay. The Master Bedroom had built-in cabinets and a bathroom. There was also several family and guest bedrooms, baths and domestic quarters. The Basement had two boilers for a hot water oil-based heating system.
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| Strong Estate Summer Home (1895) |
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| Strong Estate Summer Home Interior. |
