The Historic Casey‐Pomeroy House in toledo, Ohio
Constructed in 1870 for entrepreneur and boat captain Theodore B. Casey, the Casey‐Pomeroy House is an Italianate masterpiece in Toledo, Ohio's Vistula Historic District. Casey originally hailed from Middlebury, Indiana, and later formed a successful grain and commission business in Toledo, where he gained prominence in shipping and other ventures. His life on the Great Lakes influenced the design of the home, most notably its rare four‐story tower often referred to as a widow’s watch.
Casey also became known for commissioning a groundbreaking vessel called the David Dows. At the time of its launch, it was considered both the largest five‐masted schooner in the world and the most sizable cargo schooner ever to sail the Great Lakes. Despite its impressive design, the David Dows faced misfortune, ultimately sinking on November 30, 1889, near Whiting. Although it remained in operation for only a handful of years, its construction signaled the ambition and reach of local shipbuilders and financiers, including Casey.
Over time, the mansion was sold to banker John Worthington, whose daughter later received it as a wedding present upon marrying into the Pomeroy family. Together with the earlier owners, the Worthingtons and Pomeroys preserved many of the building’s Italianate features—such as ornamental plaster ceilings, medallions, tall pocket doors, and elegantly crafted woodwork. The structure’s unusual size, nearing 15,000 square feet, stood in contrast to the comparatively modest number of distinct rooms, a quirk resulting from nineteenth‐century tax laws based on room counts.
In 1919, the Catholic Diocese purchased the house, incorporating it into a larger campus and repurposing various spaces for religious use, including turning the former music room into a chapel. This institutional era led to significant modifications and the removal of some original details, though a handful of surviving elements—such as two ornate mantels—maintain an air of the home’s original grandeur.
Decades later, the property changed hands again and underwent extensive renovations to restore its Victorian character. Now operating as a bed and breakfast and event venue, the Casey‐Pomeroy House welcomes visitors to explore its rich history and appreciate the careful craftsmanship of a bygone era. Its storied past—woven through maritime commerce, family legacies, and ecclesiastical adaptations—continues to distinguish it as one of Toledo’s most significant historic landmarks.
The building is located at 802 N Huron St, Toledo, Ohio 43604. It is available for booking.
