Jacob W. and Katherine Mack House

4220 Rose Hill Ave.  |  1929-1931  |  Tudor Revival style  |  John Henri Deeken, architect

Although it was built during the Great Depression, no expense was spared on the splendid Mack residence. Upon completion of the house, the contractors wrote letters to the owners, thanking them for three years of employment during hard times.

Typical of the Tudor Revival style, the Mack House is built of mixed materials to suggest a manor house that evolved over the centuries. The rough gray rubblestone is juxtaposed with crisp black-and-white stucco and vivid orange-red tile. The focal point of the façade is the great half-round tower. The square-paned steel casements with unusual colored-glass accents were restored by the owners.

Little-altered during its long tenure by the original owners, the house is a wonderfully preserved document of life in a wealthy suburban household during the early 20th century that still functions beautifully today. The original kitchen and butler’s pantry are still in place, with built-in refrigerator (not functional), massive drainboard sink and glass-fronted cupboards. The tiled bathrooms—no two alike—have streamlined tubs, square-pedestal sinks and Deco light sconces. In the dining room, the Chinese-inspired scenic wallpaper was hung when the house was built. The red oak woodwork retains its original finish.

The “great hall” features a coffered ceiling, paneled wall and stone fireplace with acanthine corbels—favorite devices of architect Deeken. Clever built-ins reward the inquisitive visitor: an elevator, concealed radiators and secret doors hidden in paneling. The tower houses intriguing spaces on each level. In the second-floor media room, French doors open to an iron balcony overlooking the rear yard. Outside, the owners cleared away truckloads of overgrown honeysuckle to find an original rock garden.

Clothing manufacturer Jacob W. Mack (1876-1948) was co-founder of the Mack Shirt Company, makers of the “Famous Queen City and Avondale Perfect Fitting Negligee Shirts.” He was a leader in the fight against prison-made goods competing with labor. He also served as president of the Isaac M. Wise Temple and chairman of the Executive Board of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. His son, Richard J. Mack, succeeded him as president of Mack Shirt. Richard and his wife, Elizabeth, owned the house until 1973.

John Henri Deeken (1888-after 1948) was a gifted and prolific architect who practiced in the early 20th century. Born and educated in Cincinnati, Deeken worked in different parts of the United States until 1916, when he returned and joined forces with fellow architect Guy Burroughs. Between 1918 and 1925, Burroughs and Deeken designed dozens of the finest Traditional houses in the Cincinnati area. Deeken then practiced on his own until the 1940s.

By Margo Warminski  |  Photograph by Ryan Kurtz