90 Years in 90 Days: Forest Hill, The Residence of John D. Rockefeller Sr.

Cleveland Heights officially became a city in 1921. Cleveland Heights Patch is by compiling 90 photos to create an album of the city's past and present. We'll run the feature for 90 days, one photo at a time.

Today's photo features Forest Hill, the summer residence of John D. Rockefeller. No history of the area would be complete without mentioning Rockefeller. Although he was born in upstate New York, he finished high school in Cleveland and based his businesses in the city for many years.

He is also considered to have created the modern oil industry through Standard Oil, a company he established in 1870 with four partners. He was also known for his commitment to philanthropy. Local institutions included the Western Reserve Historical Society, the YMCA and Alta House, which was named for Rockefeller's daughter Alta Rockefeller Prentice.

In 1917, the fire destroyed the house, which was known as the Homestead. In 1923, John D. Rockefeller Jr. purchased the property. He donated part of it to East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights as Forest Hill Park. Other parcels were developed, with mixed success. — Sources: The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, American Experience: The Rockefellers, Forest Hill