The Story of the beautiful Eden Hall Mansion John Hivling was a prominent early settler in Greene county who had eleven daughters and two sons. Eight of the daughters married and as a wedding present Mr. Hivling gave each one a cameo pin, a gold watch and chain, and a new house. It is said when his son Abraham was married his father refused to give him a house. John Hivling is said to have told Abraham, that he would have to build his own house. “All right” said Abraham, “than I will build a bigger house than any of the girls have”. With the design expertise of Mr. Hiram Brown the mansion was constructed. Abraham Hiviling was a prominent business man in Xenia, and no expense was spared. The brick for Eden Hall were made on the premises. The mansion's massive 9,400 square feet of living space is surrounded by three feet thick brick. A formidable structure indeed; Iron fence surrounds the lawn and beautiful gardens. The original carriage house still remains on the property invoking a "Nostalgic Feeling" Abraham and his family lived here until 1881. The house was then sold to Abraham's niece and her husband; Mr. And Mrs. John Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Allen purchased the home for their daughter Mary Catherine Kinney who was Mrs. Coates Kinney. Of Course who could ever forget the famous Colonel Coates Kinney. He wrote the “Ode to Ohio” in 1888 and delivered it at the Coliseum in Columbus for the Ohio Centennial. The Kinney's had three daughters. Their daughter Clara married a doctor, Lawrence Shields. Dr. and Mrs. Shields lived in Eden Hall until 1972. The house was then purchased by Paul and Evelyn Cozatt in 1973, and remained in their possession until 2003 when Rick and Tracy Gerhardt purchased the home. The Gerhardt's have been restoring the home and grounds ever since. It is always a work in progress, but it is also a labor of love. Eden Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places and its architecture is Greek Revival. The Mansion was Sally Cochran Rouch’s home in “And The Ladies of the Club”, Helen Hooven Santmyer’s novel. It is also rumored that Eden Hall was part of the underground railroad and welcomed "Footsteps to Freedom" in 1999. The owner's are continually studying and updating the history of the mansion and any stories that you may impart are most welcome. It is said that this Mansion is home to "other" entities. We invite you to check out "Haunted Ohio II" in which the Mansion is mentioned and make up your own mind. |
