27946 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, Ohio 44145

The Lilly Weston House is one of Westlake’s distinctive historic homes and an important example of early sandstone construction in Northeast Ohio.

History of the House

The house was built around 1844 for Austin Lilly (c. 1788–1848) and Roxanna Sears Lilly (c. 1793–1868). The couple came to Dover Township, now Westlake, in 1832 from Ashfield, Massachusetts.

The Lilly family lived in the house until 1867. Over the years, the property had several owners, including George Weston, James Beardsley, and August Trudel.

Eventually, Alice (Mrs. Dezso) Ladanyi, great-granddaughter of George Weston, deeded the house to the City of Westlake for use as a museum.

Built of Local Sandstone

The Lilly Weston House was constructed with sandstone blocks approximately two feet thick. Finely tooled stonework on the front of the house demonstrates the skill and craftsmanship of early Ohio builders, while massive hewn timbers support the roof structure.

A brick wing was added to the east side around 1850.

The sandstone likely came from a local quarry near Porter Road. Because quarrying, transporting, and assembling such massive blocks required tremendous labor, sandstone was rarely used for homes.

Northeast Ohio’s rich sandstone deposits later supplied stone for buildings, sidewalks, curbs, and other construction throughout Ohio and beyond.

Visit the Lilly Weston House

27946 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, Ohio 44145
Cuyahoga County

Westlake Historical Society