Homes of Lakewood, Ohio

Lakewood, Ohio is a dense residential city hugging the southern shore of Lake Erie along the western flank of the City of Cleveland. Lakewood’s population of approximately 55,000 is fairly evenly distributed across the city’s 5.5 square miles of land area. Perhaps the greatest variety of home styles — and many of Lakewood’s most distinctive residences — line Clifton Boulevard, which runs west from Cleveland roughly parallel to, and a few blocks south of, the Lake Erie shoreline. Accompanying this article are some examples of these fine old homes.

Many of Lakewood's homes, particularly the oldest (often 50 to 90 years old or more), are constructed entirely of brick, and display the style of their Old English precursors.

Due to their often relatively modest sizes and varied lot configurations, many of the homes display asymmetrical designs. Unique window arrangements, offset entrances and wrap-around corner porches are common. This house also sports a fine eyebrow dormer.

The strong vertical massing and quirky articulation of form of this home afforded opportunities for both a unique painting scheme and some idiosyncratic decoration. Homes throughout the neighborhood range from funky to staid, modern to traditional.

Here an equally rich yet more subdued and historic color scheme complements this home's fine detailing. Perched atop a raised lawn amid framing landscaping, the home offers a quiet and regal presence to passersby.

Surprisingly, this large Cape-Cod-like sheltered second floor porch looks not out toward Lake Erie, but in the opposite direction entirely, toward Clifton Boulevard. The eclectic home design teams this bold porch with a Spanish-mission-tile roof, a full-width ground floor porch, entrance awning, flagstaff, lawn and river-rock rip-rap for a unique overall composition.

Sitting squarely astride its lot before a small rectangular lawn, this house appears neat and tidy and trim among slightly more rambunctious neighbors. The taut overhanging bulk of its second floor and palisade of rail posts complete a prim and proper public persona.