History of Meadowlawn
In 1898, the property known as Meadowlawn was owned by Adele Van Cleve. The Van Cleves also owned the estate across the street, where their primary residence, a replica of George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, was located. Originally an old farmhouse, the Van Cleve residence was renovated in 1905 into an impressive estate known as “Dellhurst.” This grand home stood off Mentor Avenue on a site now occupied by Dellhurst Plaza, a small shopping center.
Van Cleve, a Cleveland glass magnate, designed the home to resemble Mount Vernon after his wife, Della, expressed her admiration for the historic estate. However, when his business failed, the property was sold to the Cleveland-based Harvey H. Brown family and later passed through the hands of other prominent Clevelanders. Over the years, the estate was repurposed multiple times, serving as the Palmer House Hotel, the Mentor Mansion Hotel and Restaurant, the Mentor Mansion Furniture Company, the Dellhurst Party Center, and the Coach House Restaurant. The property’s carriage house even operated as the Dellhurst Sanitarium for several years.
In 1974, the mansion was burned down in a practice exercise conducted by the Mentor Fire Department.
Dellhurst Mentor, Ohio Residence of Mr Harvey H. Brown
by L. B. Hillis - Lake County Illustrated
Meadowlawn’s Early Years
In an excerpt from the Lake County History, Bicentennial Edition (1976), Paul R. Bosley Sr. recounts memories of the property now known as Meadowlawn:
“…These were the days of good clean fun. To the west of the high school (now Memorial Junior High School) is a rather pretentious building that housed the Coach House Restaurant, and if you will look at the building approaching from the west, you will see that the front looks exactly like George Washington’s home in Mt. Vernon. Across the street, way back in at the place now called ‘Meadowlawn,’ was a replica of this house that was built by Mr. Brown for his daughter. Around 1910, this smaller replica burned to the ground, and the only thing that remained was a chimney on the fireplace. The daughter, Mrs. Chisholm, rebuilt the house, but in an entirely different style. That long, low, rambling house still stands today and is to the right as you enter Meadowlawn Drive, near a large apartment development.”
— Paul R. Bosley Sr.
The property changed ownership multiple times before Paul R. Bosley purchased the land, which included both Heinen’s and Meadowlawn, in 1948. Before the development of apartments, Bosley, a nationally recognized nurseryman, specialized in growing holly, rhododendrons, and azaleas.
Development of Meadowlawn
Meadowlawn began as an apartment complex. The original design included 34 buildings, each containing 12 suites. The first two buildings constructed—now known as Buildings 1 and 2—were initially part of the first development phase. However, the plan was later modified, and the project expanded to include townhouses alongside apartment buildings.
Phase 1: Buildings 1 and 27 (now known as Buildings 1 & 2).
Phase 2: Buildings 3, 4, 5, and 6 (a mix of apartments and townhouses).
Phase 3: Buildings 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, with Buildings 9, 10, and 11 later converted to all-electric units during construction.
Final Phase: Buildings 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. However, due to financial difficulties, construction was halted, leaving these buildings framed but unfinished for nearly a year. The entire development was finally completed by the late 1960s.
In 1972, the apartment complex transitioned into a condominium community when the owner decided to sell off individual units. This led to the creation of the Meadowlawn Condominium Owners’ Association, which continues to manage the property today.
