When this columnated portal to South Park was built in the late 1800s, this end of Park Avenue was clear out at the westernmost reaches of Mansfield — practically in the country.
This is where the streetcar line ended so the trollies had to flip around and face back up the hill for the return trip.
The ornamental columns were originally dedicated as the “Sherman Memorial Gateway” to the park, because the public greenspace had been donated to the city by Senator John Sherman.
The mansion in the background was brand new in 1909 when the photographer made this photo, built by the Krause family.
Within 30 years the family had dwindled away from there, and for the rest of the 20th century the grand old house was a business establishment for various insurance companies until it was replaced by the medical building seen today.
