Wayne History : Estates : Laurento

Laurento

St. Davids
1901
Demolished

Laurento was built for Anthony J. Drexel’s grandson Craig Biddle and his wife Laura Whelan Biddle. It was designed by Peabody & Stearns in the Italian-Renaissance style. Biddle was just 22 at the time of Laurento’s construction, because according to Drexel’s will, each of the Biddle brothers received a million dollars upon turning 21. The mansion was a wedding gift from the Drexel family. The estate was 113 acres, the mansion built on a bluff overlooking Little Darby Creek. The house was adorned with European treasures, including marble mantelpieces, statuary, and tapestries. The stable was notable as well, with a large clock tower. Biddle was a champion polo and tennis player who invested in Broadway musicals. Laurento hosted Biddle’s lavish parties until he was forced to sell the mansion in 1911. All that remains of the estate is the entrance gates and an abandoned driveway.

1900: Craig Biddle receives $1 million inheritance
1901: Laurento built
1911: Laurento sold to banker-broker Archibald Barklie; renamed Inver House
1936: Sold to Simon Neuman, President of Publicker Industries
1970s: Sold to Roach Bros.; planned to be turned into retirement community
198?: Demolished and replaced by luxury town houses

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Architectural Journal; Carnegie Mellon University Library

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