To Save a City

Today, Middletown, OH is not a place with a good reputation. Its economy is failing, its schools are dangerous, and it has one of the largest drug problems in the nation. Growing up a few towns away from Middletown, it was a place that came with a "wrong side of the tracks" warning. The only time I ever went to Middletown was for soccer tournaments, and every time we would drive through I was always intrigued by the large mansion that stood amongst the run down houses and empty storefronts. Clearly abandoned, the Sorg Mansion nevertheless held the aura of an older, more prosperous time.

The Sorg Mansion in the early 2000's, courtesy of the Journal News

The mansion was built in 1887 by Paul J. Sorg, a Cincinnati based businessman. Sorg was born in Wheeling, WV, and raised in Cincinnati, and served in the Union army during the Civil War. Although not at all familiar with the tobacco industry, Sorg teamed up with a local tobacco roller to found the P.J. Sorg Tobacco Co. in Cincinnati, which under Sorg's financial leadership became one of the largest post Civil War tobacco companies in the world. Due to his company's success, Sorg was able to move north away from the city to the growing suburb of Middletown. He became Middletown's first multi-millionaire, and even served as a congressman beginning in 1894 for Ohio's third district due to the death of George Houck. Upon his return to Middletown in 1896, Sorg established the Sorg Paper Co. in 1899 which helped usher in a period of rapid economic growth for the city. Sorg was so prominent within Middletown that the city's opera house was named after him and even helped to save local banks and businesses from failure. His death in 1902 marked the end of the mansion as a private residence. 

Paul J. Sorg, courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives

Although Sorg's businesses are no longer around, his mansion still stands as a testament to his wealth and power. Comprised of three stories, the mansion boasts 12 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a ballroom, formal dining room, and library. Over the years, the Romanesque building has been host to numerous small businesses, low income apartments, a construction company, and even a dance studio. In 2013, a Baltimore couple purchased the mansion for only $225,000 with plans to renovate it as a bed and breakfast. 

The Sorg Mansion today, courtesy of the Journal News

Luckily, the couple is focused on returning the home to it's original state and are preserving the original parquet floors and stained glass windows. The couple hopes that by returning the mansion to its former glory, it will instill a sense of pride in Middletown and attract new businesses, ridding the city of its seedy reputation. Paul J. Sorg created Middletown's economy in the late 19th century and saved it from ruin multiple times, and although he is long gone, his legacy is being used to once again save the city.

- Krista Dunkman

Sources:

http://www.journal-news.com/news/local/sorg-mansion-restoration-taking-shape-middletown/xw70JMtfcczu9i7kak1N6L/

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000679