Gilded Age Glory in the Heart of Ohio: The Enchanting Laurel Court

From its Beaux-Arts grandeur to the secret behind its 3,000 leather-bound books, this video is your exclusive tour into the life of Peter G. Thomson, the paper magnate whose vision transformed a town and constructed a monument of architectural brilliance. Discover the favorite rooms, hidden features, and the intriguing history of Laurel Court's transformation from a family mansion to a symbol of legacy.
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Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Warren LeMay
CC BY-SA 3.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Photo by Greg Hume
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Cristofolikeeling
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[@user-yi7mg5ig6l]

I’m so glad to know that this magnificent home still stands!

[@jimbo1637]

Every time I see a full color photo in one of these videos, I always breathe a massive sigh of relief!!

[@anteeker]

I really like this house. It's very elegant but on a human scale where you feel comfortable in the rooms, not overwhelmed. AND it's still standing!! Good one Ken.

[@Rick59Cameron]

It's very nice to know the owners are gracious enough to allow tours through this magnificent home, obvious very good people.

[@valeriehutson7422]

Total tax write off for the rich!!!!!

[@PeterRobertson-de4rj]

I am a great-grandson and namesake of Peter G. Thomson. This is a great video tour of his magnificent mansion. The current owners, Larry and Judy Moyer, are doing a wonderful job of preserving and updating this treasure.

[@seanshafer2253]

I am also glad to see it preserved. Peter sold one of his homes to my grandfather and it was the house I grew up in College Hill. Now it’s a BnB called 6 Acres on Hamilton Ave

[@dman7773]

I've said it before: the way you polish and preserve these marvelous old stories and keep them alive for rediscovery is impressive work. Bravo!

[@vickiehanson9381]

Ditto!

[@judykessinger3552]

Agree glad this house still stands. Beautiful home.

[@jerrys9226]

I love the columns, both inside and out. Glad it’s still here.

[@druviseglite]

Me too, beaux-arts style mixed with the neo-classicism of columns, the Palladian influence of symmetry in the edifice with no demolishing in the end.

[@vickilindberg6336]

Love the house! A courtyard with a retractable roof is amazing. Classic & unique.

[@markkotishion2379]

Finally, a Beaux Artes mansion that someone did'nt tear down!

[@debbyripperger5865]

Laurel Court is gorgeous. Have been on a tour and it rivals the likes of some “cottages” in Newport, RI.

[@irmuggle]

I'm just glad it hadn't been torn down😊

[@rayn8740]

What a fantastic house. I love a bifurcated staircase, totally impractical, but so grand and dramatic. I'd love to take a tour someday.

[@creativo4ever564]

One of the more simple yet still elegant mansions. Gorgeous.

[@gandfgandf5826]

Love the columned entrance facade. Beautiful.

[@kimvanek2322]

Thank you Ken....always interesting and informative!!!

[@kimhall5863]

The library was my favorite with the African Rosewood~ Beautiful ❤️

[@elizabethferguson7002]

Cincinnati has a beautiful section of gorgeous old estates.

[@theoabbot8822]

Having visited the Gilded Age mansions in Newport, this looks pretty cool.

[@we.r.wine.bottles.im.at.work.]

The music room OMG! ❤❤❤

[@garygloska7396]

Love the courtyard concept and it reminded me of Whitehall in Palm Beach

[@craigrichardnelson]

Both of my parents worked for Champion Papers their whole lives. My mother knew Peter Thompson and would speak of him from time to time. This is the first I knew of this magnificant home. Thanks so much!

[@teresaschlomer8257]

I just love the library and the courtyard Holy Crow

[@Emily_Paris]

Great video Ken of this magnificent gilded age home. In the little bit of time I spent in Ohio, I was intrigued with all the older homes, churches, buildings. I’m a big fan of historic and gilded age structures.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

I could make a residence out of just that upstairs hallway!

[@The_Smith]

Hard to pick a favourite featre in this pile, the library of course, but I really liked the contrast of the painted dining room, and that courtyard with a retractable glass roof! a courtyard of anysort is a dream feature for me!

[@oltedders]

We have a courtyard in our cozy little Texas home. The rooms around it have clerestory windows and high sloped ceilings. Our home is very modest in size but looks huge inside.

[@The_Smith]

@@oltedders that sounds wonderful!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Awesome that it’s still with us!

[@architypeone8646]

Glad it has escaped the wrecking ball. I'll have to to take a tour of this one since it is close enough for a day trip.

[@susanvandermeulen9914]

Incredible architect, James Gamble Rogers

[@brettbirdguy]

I love the raw, natural look of the courtyard contrasting the elegant fine finishes used in the rest of the house.. and a retractable glass ceiling, in that time period.. very posh!! Overall, love this house!! ❤

[@Mommy_513]

This home is not too far from where I live and it is gorgeous from the exterior. It stands out and I’m so happy it survived.

[@kendranewton9071]

Love the library!😊

[@susanpolastaples9688]

I'm in love with Laurel Court's architecture and it has a gorgeous gard3n

[@kotysuefawcett6538]

I love your videos! Smooth quiet voice is an added bonus. Thank You. 👍🤗✌️

[@timothylaws4549]

beautiful

[@wallywood49]

At last! Something that has escaped the wrecking ball! Please show more of these, the beautiful but demolished is really depressing!

[@jimwiskus8862]

I loved it all! Especially that it still exists.

[@michaelwagner9020]

Beautiful, beautiful home, reminds me of several Vanderbilt mansions.

[@eyblender5896]

It is a really beautiful house!

[@laurielaurie8280]

I loved that room with the piano and that beautiful chandelier 😍

[@mr.x8259]

It is very elegant, and not over-the-top like so many Newport mansions.

[@BennyM_]

Oh cool! I live about 45 minutes from Hamilton. I’ll add this house to my list. Thanks!

[@randyboglisch137]

What a lovely home.. beaux artes on a human scale..so elegant yet very inviting...so glad it still stands..thank you so much for sharing

[@Maybe1Someday]

Im just thankful it still exists and wasnt torn down

[@christophersmith1155]

this home reminds me of a home on Greatneck / Sandspoint NY. Also MARBLE HOUSE in Newport RI.

[@user-hc4xm8yp7c]

Love it!

[@christinabowling9212]

Would love to tour this home! Mr. Thomson would be happy that the old, decrepit Champion Paper facilities are alive and well again- beautiful, and being used for sports facilities *Spooky Nook*, and beautiful hotel snd event center *Champion Mill *

[@geraldpierini9010]

My favorite feature is unlike so many others, it hasn't been torn down.

[@wdjones4735]

Loved the ceilings in the library and billiard room. The courtyard was pretty sweet too👍🏻 Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend🙂

[@loumcast]

Thank God they didn't tear this one down too.

[@gjr614]

I realize these are old pictures from by gone times but I'd really like to see these pictures in color to see the true beauty.

[@jetsons101]

Nice to see that Laurel Court went back to a private home after being the headquarters for a "pizza" chain.

[@briansilkworth5486]

I love it. Certainly big but not too big. I’d happily live there.

[@megfuchs9425]

I will have to visit this house sometime when I head down to Cincinnati to visit my sister. So glad it is hasn't burned down or been turned into a parking lot! The stairs are very interesting.

[@B44tk47]

Only took 5 years to finish in 1907? That’s more amazing than the pyramids in Egypt

[@jonclassical2024]

Hi Ken...not my cup of tea...but I wouldn't turn down an invitation to a dinner party there! Lol

[@susanpolastaples9688]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤crystal chandeliers and it still stands

[@DLeadVox]

❤❤❤ I love that it was a CH for a pizza chain! 🍕 that's great! Thanks Ken!

[@NewRon2003us]

I love the exterior and the hall , dining room

[@garryferrington811]

Interesting that it's once again become a private residence.

[@genevawaters3407]

Library room with 3000 leather books

[@janewasson4845]

I used to live in Cincinnati, and this house is amazing. They also have tons of Greek and Roman statues all over the yard. Have you done the Cincinnati Crosely mansion ( radio man) yet?

[@sharksport01]

Crosley 😉

[@janewasson4845]

You're right, thanks! Can't spell correctly on 2 hours sleep, evidently. 😅

[@clairwaucaush7225]

Great video. I think this is the only house in your videos that is still used as a residence! Ken, do you do other videos? The guy on the ghost videos sounds like you, BizzareBub it's called.

[@wmd9750]

The courtyard seems odd and a bit out of place ....the second storey. windows look v. ordinary and the whole space seems like an urban back alley ....The rest of the house, especially the staircase, is beautiful 😊

[@mileshigh1321]

I Wonder how much of the original interior is still intact!

[@debbyripperger5865]

All of it. Peter G. Thompson’s initials are in the wrought iron railings going up the stairs

[@123pb]

Looks like Rosecliff in Newport?

[@jonnalangmeier6965]

Updated color photos would be nice.

[@oltedders]

What's with those crappy beds in the mom and pop suite? Fear of bed bugs? D&B romance. They look like something out of a mental hospital. I'm so glad the house is still there. Strange how the Catholic Church moved into so many of these grand homes after the original owners were no longer around.

[@greghammer5321]

he married on the proctor and gamble heirs

[@PeterRobertson-de4rj]

I am his great-grandson. His wife was not part of the Proctor & Gamble Gamble family.

[@valeriehutson7422]

So glad the church, Arch Dioceses, doesnt own it anymore. and obviously its a tax write off to allow tours for the owners, but its still going to be a historical piece listing as they have kwpt up the interior and furnishings and not redecorated!!

[@Wanamaker1946]

Laurel Court is lovely. But it’s not as tightly manicured as its cousin in France is, or would’ve been. The two statues in the front are obviously additions by the Archdiocese, and would be better not there…..albeit, very grateful the Roman Church were indeed good stewards. We can compare the simplicity of Whitemarsh Hall with the Remo ants of the Victorian Age furnishings in Laurel Court. Imight want to assume the builder owner of Laurel Court may’ve been creating an house beyond his wealth station, as often Americans are guilty of. The stonework and composition is superlative, but the grounds are lacking severely. Jacque Grabbier Landscaper would’ve set this exquisite house within its proper French setting of “outdoor rooms” in terracing’s and parterre’, fountains and such. I would’ve spent less money on the inside schlock…ie, fake antiques, truly ugly chimney pieces, and hideous brick-a-brack, and instead, placed carved stone urns atop the balustrade of the roof line at each corner, as exhibited at Whitemarsh Hall. So very many 99% of these marvelous houses were not built within the spans of property they would’ve been in England….of which these try-to-be houses endeavor to emulate. Laurel Court is very imposing, it just needs the proper landscaping and interior design to make it absolutely sing.

[@chase5692]

The only feature that I really liked is the fountain in the front of the house. The inside was not that great. I have seen homes better looking.

[@valeriehutson7422]

Dont yall know, thats what Cincinnati is known for? If its more than 20 years old, tear it down and build new. Dont let it have gorgeous old architecture!!!

[@user-ei2lm6us2e]

ANNOYING VOICE

[@B44tk47]

Only a fool would believe this fairytale

[@kurtbrisch5776]

Couldn't pay me to live in a fascist red state like OH.

[@CultgentlemanJack]

I would loved to have seen what the mansion looked like today.. is it possible for you to revisit and take a tour for us to see. grate idea for a future video. ❤😘

[@user-ed6rf7zg5i]

In 1900 people were building like this with less technology?, and now people build dull lifeless stone or metal and glass boxes

[@ryanpatrick4920]

I will never eat LaRosa's, just because they were dumb enough to put their headquarters in such a stately structure, and envelope it in that modern monstrosity