Charles and Mary Breuer Krippendorf, who immigrated with their parents from Germany and Prussia, respectively, were married in August 1871 in Hamilton County, Ohio. Charles, a shoemaker by trade founded and was the president of Krippendorf-Dittmann Shoe Company, which made women’s and children’s shoes. The two had four children: Albert (1877-1967), Carl (1875-1964) Marie Louise (1871-1934), and Clara (1873-1966).

Boyhood Illness

Carl was sent to spend the summer in Clermont County, in 1883, after being diagnosed with Typhoid fever (Salmonella typhosa). His doctor suggested he stay at his son-in-law, Lewis Cohoon’s farm.

Carl’s health improved greatly, living on the 191-acre farm surrounded by fresh air and clean food. He befriended the Cohoon’s children, Robert and Allen. The boys worked hard, completing daily chores such as feeding chickens, pigs, and cattle, pitching hay planting seeds, plowing farmland, and pruning fruit trees. When chores were finished, Carl and the Cohoon boys would roam the neighboring countryside — swimming in holes and collecting ancient Ordovician fossils. It was these experiences in that summer with the Cahoon family that Carl gained an appreciation of the land. He often returned to the Cohoon’s farm throughout his childhood and adulthood.

Love of the Wilderness

On one of his visits in 1895, Carl discovered the Cohoon’s were considering selling their farm to be turned into a tobacco field. Horrified by losing the land he loved; he asked the Cohoons if he could purchase 75 acres. It is assumed, that Carl likely had saved “a good amount of money” between ages 13 and 25, according to his family. His father was a wealthy business owner by this point, and Carl, who worked at Krippendorf-Dittmann Shoe Company, likely earned a fair salary. He purchased 22 more acres of land nearby from the heirs of Ira Perin.

Carl married his wife Mary Rosan Krippendorf on April 26, 1900. As a honeymoon gift, Charles and Mary Breuer offered Carl and Mary Rosan two options: the newlyweds could travel on a European vacation, or have a home built on Carl’s property. The two chose the latter and honeymooned on his property Carl’s favorite beech woods.

The home, now referred to as Kippendorf Lodge, is a shingle-style country home with a wraparound porch. This gift from his father was meant to serve as a statement that Carl would carry on the Krippendorf legacy and run the namesake shoe company.

Mary was the decision-maker for the home, overseeing the maids, cook, and laundress. She also made many decisions regarding outdoor areas. She was responsible for the two terraces built off the long path, fish ponds, and many gardening decisions while Carl worked in the city and traveled to New York or elsewhere on business. Though, they both had a passion for gardening.

Mary Krippendorf helped found the Garden Club of Cincinnati in March of 1914. Her close friend, Grace Groesbeck is also a co-founder of the organization. Carl donated 70,000 daffodils to the organization in 1915.  

Between 1905 and 1908 the Krippendorfs purchased four more land parcels, totaling 175 contiguous acres. Land along Avery Run was purchased to build a gasoline-powered pump to transport dammed water uphill to a water tank house on the property. It was essential for filling the dipping pool on the terrace, watering plants and bulbs, and the first inground, concrete swimming pool in Clermont County.

The Krippendorfs farm held many flowering plants, including daffodils, which had been anchored to the public’s mind when they thought of this estate. Carl purchased a variety of daffodils called the “Queen of Spain,” a flower indigenous to Spain that was extirpated by the Spanish Civil War of 1939 to 1940. It’s understood that because he perpetuated a population of this flower on his farm, the variety was saved. The Krippendorfs also had 200 Lycoris Bulbs, also known as Naked Ladies due to their leafless stems.

National Recognition  

In 1919, the Krippendorfs invited the public to visit their residence for “Daffodil Days,” a four-day charity event to support war-torn France. 15,000 blooms were cut and sold each day during the event. The total raised was about $2,700 (nearly $34,400 in today’s economy).

 In 1949, Carl received the Bucky Medal of Merit for Horticultural Achievement. This is a national award given by the Garden Club of America. Although Carl is responsible for nearly every improvement and innovation on the property, a growing respect for the contributions of women has begun to give Mary overdue credit.

A Life Well Spent

The Krippendorfs frequently threw parties on Saturdays, allowing visitors to stroll through the garden until dinner. Famously, the Krippendorf would send guests home with flowers and vegetables. Carl was known to be extremely generous to those who knew him.

Carl and Mary’s home was a refuge from the challenges of running the Krippendorf-Dittman Shoe Company. Carl lived in his beloved wilderness haven until he died In May 1964. He was 89. Mary followed shortly after, in August of that year. She was 91. Both died in the home Charles built for them in 1900.