Lakeside in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Gill House

Lakeside Heritage Trail

— Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 —

Gill House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025

1. Gill House Marker

Inscription. Lakeside founder Samuel Gill and his family called this home from 1875-1900. Private residence. Do not disturb.

Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 21.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 32.656′ N, 82° 44.955′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue and West 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 Central Ave, Lakeside Marblehead OH 43440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Abigail Tea Room (a few steps from this marker); Central/Hoover Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Donald & Coralen Bettinger Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrie Barge Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Orchestra Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Brick Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.

Also see . . .

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1. Welcome to the Lakeside Heritage Trail. One hundred and fifty years ago, the founders of Lakeside stood on the shores of Lake Erie envisioning a place for the faithful to gather in community. Since then, millions of people have been beckoned to this beautiful, peaceful sanctuary to deepen their connection to Lakeside’s timeless mission…

To enrich the quality of life for all people, to foster traditional Christian values, and to nurture relationships through opportunities for renewal and growth – spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically – while preserving Lakeside’s heritage.

With the new year, we welcome Lakeside’s 150th Anniversary – a time to honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. This exciting Sesquicentennial Celebration connects us to the mission through enriching religious life programs, educational lectures, cultural arts performances and recreational activities. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

2. 21. Gill House. Then
In the spring of 1873, The Lakeside Company gave a verbal contract to George Wood of Toledo and Frank Miller of the Marblehead Peninsula to build ten cottages. The cottages were board and batten style construction with front porches on both the first and second floors. In August of 1873, it was decided to “finish” three of the cottages with plasterboard.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025

2. Gill House Marker

Four cottages were finished before the first Lakeside camp meeting in 1873 and the other six were finished in 1874. This cottage was one of the first three cottages finished in 1873 with plasterboard.

Samuel Richard Gill was one of the founders of The Lakeside Company and served as its secretary for nearly 30 years. He was born in Ottawa County in 1845 and died there in 1916. Samuel married Mary Clendinnen Alexander on January 12, 1875 and they had three sons; Samuel Vincent Gill, Robert Alexander Gill and William Payne Gill.

Samuel and Mary moved to 222 Central about a year after they were married and lived here until 1900. Their three sons were born and raised in this house. Sometime prior to 1884 to accommodate their growing family, the Gills added an addition to the north side of the house with more bedrooms.

The Lakeside Company sold a lease to Mary Gill for the house in 1888 and in 1914, Mary and S.R. Gill sold the house to William and Ella Baldwin. There have been 12 owners of the property since the Baldwin’s.

Over the years, owners removed the batons and had the house sided with wood shingles. A modern kitchen addition also was added to the rear of the house.

Now
Today, the Gill House retains much of its original cottage character. It remains a private residence. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

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Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.