SEPTEMBER, 1978
Mariemont, Ohio
VOL. 3 NO. 10
Mariemont - From the Beginning by Warren Parks Part One: An Elaborate Secrecy It would seem appropriate, .,+ this time, when Mariemont has just passed its Fiftyfifth Anniver· sary, to review some of the highlights of its beginning and its progress over the years. This History will have to be summarized, bringing out the outstanding features. It will tave to be a "continued story" in the TOWN CRIER. How many of us realize the wide interest there was at its beginning, as shown by the publication of the details of the development. How many knew that the August 24th, 1924, issue of the NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE had devoted a whole page to their favorable comparison of this new community with those that had been built in Europe and America. It was called "A New Experiment in Town Planning to Fit the Motor Age." The introduction of this story should start briefly with the background of the Founders who spent years in studying the best way to start such a project and to choose its location. "The Romance of Mariemont", a continued story of thirtytwo chapters, was written by Warren E. Leavitt, the original Editor of the MARIEMONT MESSENGER.
The first copy of this weekly paper was dated March 19, 1926, and was distributed free to all the residents of MARIEMONT. This Mariemont Souvenir Edition included all of the thirtytwo chapters which had appeared, one chapt er at a time in the MARIEMONT MESSENGER , starting in March 19, 1926, from chapter heading "HOW IT ALL STARTED" to "CONCLUSION". · It is well known that the idea of creating such a "dwelling site", which included all necessary in· stallations, was the idea of Mrs. Mary M. Emery. She worked closely with her husband, Thomas J. Emery, and his brother John J. Emery, who were constantly engaged in building, not only in Cincinnati, but also in Indianapolis, Toledo, Kansas City, Denve r, San Franciso, and elsewhere. Thomas J. Emery was aptly called "a builder of hearths and homes". He traveled to Europe every summer and in 1906 he died while he was abroad. Upon her husband's death, Mrs. Emery felt it was her duty and a pleasure to carry out some of his ideas. She had planned the erection of small homes out in the suburbs,
but this did not seem to answer the full need. It was decided that the "Garden City" idea, practiced in England, was the logical solution. But it takes more than a dream and a determined purpose to build a city, it takes MONEY. Early in the preliminary planning of MARIEMONT, Mrs. Emery had convinced Mr . Charles J. Livingood, who had a vast experience in building construction, to become her personal representative. lncidnetally, he was attending Harvard University at the same time as wa s a son of Thomas J. Emery. They graduated from Harvard in 1888. In 1890, Mr. Livingood received word of the death of his college chum Sheldon Emery. Mr. Livingood was invited to come to Cincinnati and take a position the the Emery Estate. At that time he was employed as a Surveyor on the Moffat Tunnel, atop the Rocky Mountains. He lost no time in accepting the position in Cincinnati. After over thirtyfive years with Thomas Emery Sons, as builders, and later as business head, he was in an excellent position to carry out Mrs. Emery's desire to cont'd on pg. 2
PUBLISHED AS A COMMUNITY SERVI CE BY THE MARIEMONT VILLAGE ASS EMBLY
Labor Day
Celebration! The annual Labor Day Picnic sponsored by the Mariemont Kiwanis Club will take place on Monday, Sept. 4, at Dogwood Park. Festivities will start at 2 p.m. and continue until dark. Special events will include a band concert at 5:30 by the Mariemont High School Band under the direction of Bob Kaemmerer, a pet show and other games for children, and a craft booth featuring special items made by the
MariElders. A repeat of the popular "Grandma's Attic" will feature all sorts of things including books, household items, etc. Grilled metts, hot dogs, and corn roasted in the husk will combine with old fashioned lemonade to cater to the tastebuds. In addi· tion there will be a bake sale with home made goodies. A number of prizes will be awarded during the evening in addition to a major award. Gene Brubach is chairman of the Kiwanis event.
Dates To Remember 7 · Steak Out · Square Dance Oct. 9 · Mon. a.m. Farm Picnic Oct. 10 · Christmas House Tour Oct.
Mariemont in 1928