Most People Don’t Know The Intriguing Stories Behind These 7 Unusual Ohio Houses
By April Dray
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Published July 07, 2017
Here in Ohio, there are some really unique homes scattered throughout the state that are truly eye-catching.
From cliffside ships to UFO-shaped homes, the following houses are some of the most unusual homes in the state and the intriguing stories behind them. See how many you recognize and where you can find them:
1. Benson Ford Houseship (Put-In-Bay)
What was once a Ford motor company cargo ship is now one of the coolest cliffside homes in America. Today, the four-deck, 7,000 square foot house ship is a Put-In-Bay landmark. The interior of what is now the Benson Ford Houseship, which originally transported iron and coal for Ford motor company, was designed by Henry Ford for his own personal use. (It is also rumored that Thomas Edison once boarded this ship.) The ship was decommissioned in 1981. Four years later, the front part of the ship was removed and perched over Lake Erie on the island of South Bass Island to create a truly unique holiday home.
2. Futuro House (Carlisle)
Also known as the UFO house, this home in Carlisle was created by Matti Suuronen in 1968. From State Route 123 you can see two flying saucers connected by a tubular walkway. This unique design was actually based on the number pi, rather than the spaceship appearance it takes on. It's a "portable" ski chalet that was a short-lived futuristic design. Approximately 20 of these homes still exist in the U.S. today.
3. The Round House (Logan)
No longer standing, this mysterious, round and concrete house was once hidden along Old US 33 in Logan, Ohio. Weird Ohio reports that the house was built in the early 70s and completed in 1973 by a Mr. Stewart. Known as "Stewart's Folly," the round house was supposedly a prototype for a new, highly durable type of home for people that lived on hurricane-prone coasts. For unknown reasons, Stewart stopped production and never moved into the house as planned. Additionally, the blueprints and design notes were reportedly lost in a fire.
4. House of Trash (Philo)
Also known as Ohio's only "Earthship," this eco-friendly home in Philo is made entirely out of recycled materials. At Blue Rock Station, sustainability and the environment are high priority, which consequently means all of the buildings are composed of recycled materials and pieces of nature. Solar showers, a greenhouse made of two liters and U-shaped rooms designed to hold heat most efficiently are just a few of the amenities passerby and travelers are exposed to at this sustainable home, which is open to anyone interested in a tour of "the house of trash." For more information, check out the video below:
VIDEO
5. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park House (Hamilton)
The Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton is home to this unique, underground private residence. It is the former home of Harry T. Wilks, the founder of Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum. The house was actually built before the park was established. It was built into the ridge of a hill with a large glass pyramid to let in plenty of natural light.
6. The Mushroom House (Cincinnati)
A spectacular piece of artwork, this whimsical home is located in the Hyde Park section of Cincinnati. It was designed by architect Terry Brown, who is also a former Architecture and Interior Design professor at the University of Cincinnati.Construction of the unique house took about 12 years. Brown used multiple different materials, artisans and art students to aid in the creative process. The house is the result of organic inspiration. It features a young cowboy motif (inside), stained glass windows and a wide variety of materials.
7. The Flintstone House (Painesville)
Driving by this unusual home, you'd think it was straight of out Bedrock. Built entirely out of concrete and spray-foam by college students in the 70s, this unique home was designed by a commissioned artist, Wayne Trapp, in 1970. It's a true work of art to stumble upon in northeast Ohio. For a drive-by view of the home, watch the video below:
VIDEO
Have you ever seen any of these houses before? What other unusual homes have you spotted in Ohio? Let us know!
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