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Forsyth / Roe House. The clean rectangular lines with gabled
roof, plain frieze running the length, and matching end
chimneys are typical of the Federal era. The classical
central entranceway flanked by sidelights and symmetrically
placed windows reflect both Federal and Greek revival
influences. The finely detailed entrance porch with
double columns supporting a stylized frieze and triangular
pediment with ornamental triglyph on the front facade may be
a later Greek revival addition. A broad porch across
the rear overhangs the lower floor which once housed the
kitchen and Forsyth's office. Here he could oversee
activity at the steamboat landing below. Several
horses were quartered in a large barn at the rear of the
property. Forsyth, in addition to his mercantile
activities, was appointed Indian Agent shortly after his
arrival and was responsible for distributing Indian
annuities and providing government services to the Ottawa,
including overseeing their safe removal. Thus, legend
relates that visiting Ottawa were often fed and sheltered by
Forsyth and his wife, Almira Hull. Forsyth received
several grants from the Ottawa and made much of his fortune
in land speculation. At his death in 1864, he was
praised as a man of "eminent integrity and
intelligence."
The house stood empty for several years before it was purchased
by Henry J. Puhl in 1871. By the late 1800's, Peter M.
Puhl was practicing the innovative art of portrait
photography in a downstairs studio. The bay window on
the east facade was added to provide him extra light. The house remained in the Puhl
family until 1978. Mayo and Joan Roe acquired the home in 1988
and after four years of restoration, taking care to preserve
significant interior features such as the stairway with
delicately turned balusters, walnut woodwork, and original
hardware, the Roes moved into the house in 1992.
This house was featured on the Maumee
Bicentennial Quilt in 1976. The brochure states:
"Judge Robert A. Forsythe, first Mayor of Maumee, left
the homestead to his two grandsons in 1877. Peter M.
Puhl acquired the property October 17, 1882 and left it to
his daughter, Margaret Puhl, who still resides in the
house. In addition to being a photographer for ten
years and a rug manufacturer, Mr. Puhl was a bee-keeper who
planted the basswood trees that still flourish along East
Harrison Street. Peter Puhl's skylighted photography
studio on the east wing of the house has been replaced by a
bay window. The influence of Federal style architecture
is to be found in the symmetry of the interior rooms, the
paned windows, the gabled roof and the classical doorway."
Block made by Florence Puhl, Row 3, block 1)
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