Mentor in Lake County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Expanding the House
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 9, 2011
1. Expanding the House Marker
The first house here, built in 1831-32 by James Dickey, stood only 1 1/2-stories tall. In 1876, Congressman James A. Garfield bought the Dickey farm and, in 1880, had the house extensively remodeled. By raising its roof and expanding its outer walls, Garfield's workers doubled the house's size around the original structure.
After President Garfield was assassinated in 1881, his wife Lucretia received many public donations. In 1885 she used a portion of this money to add a third floor and back wing to the house, including the James A. Garfield Memorial Library - a forerunner of today's presidential libraries.
[Background photo caption reads] In 1880, James A. Garfield posed by the front gate of his newly-remodeled house, which newspaper reporters called "Lawnfield."
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 41° 39.841′ N, 81° 21.024′ W. Marker is in Mentor, Ohio, in Lake County. Marker is on the grounds of James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Touch for map.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Campaign Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Windmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Front Porch Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gasholder Building (about 300 feet away); James A. Garfield's "Lawnfield" (about 500 feet away); Lawnfield (about 500 feet away); James A. Garfield and the Civil War (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mentor.
Also see . . .
1. James A. Garfield National Historic Site. (Submitted on November 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. James Abram Garfield at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on September 16, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 9, 2011
2. Expanding the House Marker
Looking west
Photographed By Unknown, 1880
3. Background Photo on Expanding the House Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 9, 2011
4. James A. Garfield's "Lawnfield"
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1877
5. Dickey Farmhouse on Expanding the House Marker
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1885
6. Photo on Expanding the House Marker
[Caption reads] Lucretia Garfield expanded the third floor and added the stone back wing with its Memorial Library in 1885.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 9, 2011
7. North Facade (rear) of "Lawnfield"
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
