Theodor Kundtz, one of Cleveland’s most successful industrialists, owned a lumberyard west of Giel Avenue between Clifton Blvd. and Detroit Ave. During the early years of the 20th century, the Kundtz enterprise was the largest user of hardwood in the state, making sewing machine cabinets, church furnishings and thousands of school desks each month. In May of 1920, one year after selling the lumberyard to the White Sewing Machine Company, a spectacular fire consumed the entire lumber operation. Just a few years later, new homes were built on four brand new streets that had been cut through the site: Chase, Bunts, Hathaway, and Merl.

Learn more about the life and accomplishments of Theodor Kundtz – and see a picture postcard of Kundtz’s Lakewood mansion - at www.lakewoodhistory.org/kundtz/.