Taylor Mansion-Lakehurst
Also known as: Bishop's Mansion
Why it's listed
Set on 18.8 acres atop a bluff above Lake Erie in Bratenahl, this two-story stone mansion was designed by Charles S. Schneider around 1918 for Sophia Strong Taylor, president of the William Taylor Son & Company department store in Cleveland. Its Georgian Revival exterior carries Neo-Adamesque details, including pedimented dormers, fanlit entrances and a lattice roof balustrade. Inside, rooms are Adamesque, Georgian, or a blend of the two. Mrs. Taylor was a noted philanthropist who funded a convalescent hospital for children in two buildings on the grounds, later razed. After her death in 1936 the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland bought the estate as the Bishop's residence and added a stone chapel. John F. Kennedy stayed there during his 1960 presidential campaign. The property is valued as an example of Bratenahl's eclectic estate architecture and for its links to Mrs. Taylor and the diocese.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mansion typifies the graceful, spacious lifestyle of prominent Clevelanders in Bratenahl and expresses the talent of architect Charles S. Schneider. It is also tied to Sophia Strong Taylor, a department store president and philanthropist who founded a children's convalescent hospital on the grounds. Later use as the Catholic Bishop of Cleveland's residence, including a 1960 stay by John F. Kennedy, adds to its significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86001573, listed July 10, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 193 Bratenahl Rd., Bratenahl |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | July 10, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001573 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Charles S. Schneider |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival with Neo-Adamesque ornamentation |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition, and used as a private residence. The chapel was added after 1936 and the interior is described as still in original condition. |
| Acreage | 18.8 |
| Coordinates | 41.55215, -81.61370 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86001573.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.