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Garden Features

Dragon Fountain

This enchanting fountain was constructed in the 1940s by Douglas Chandor using Chi-Ling statues found in New York City, Coke and 7-Up bottles, colored marbles, and his own handmade ceramic tiles.

The fountain is in a sunken area of the Gardens originally intended to be a swimming pool.

It is ringed by an ivy-covered stone wall designed by Chandor, and a unique pathway of paving stones he made himself. From this delightful spot a horseshoe-shaped staircase and two tree-covered allees lead visitors to other garden rooms.

Cox's Mountain

Douglas Chandor's fondest dream was to build a mountain with a cascading waterfall in his Gardens. Portrait subject Governor James Cox of Ohio sent the funds as a gift, urging his close friend "to follow your dreams and build your mountain".

The mountain was finished in 1952 using several tons of large boulders brought in from neighboring ranches. When Chandor died suddenly in early 1953, the planned waterfall was forgotten. The fabulous feature was completed by the Bradfords during restoration of the Gardens in the 1990's.

Moon Gate

Built in 1949, the Chinese moon gate demonstrates Douglas Chandor's fascination with Chinese objects in the Gardens. Constructed by the artist of mortar, stone, roof tiles, split sewer tiles, gears, bottles, and handmade ceramic figurines, this elegant feature frames stunning views. Chandor's unique and fascinating window box scene built into the Gardens' wall has recently been restored.

Bowling Green

Despite the Chinese features in the Gardens, Douglas Chandor was also deeply influenced by this English roots. Originally built in the 1940's for playing bocce ball and croquet with guests and friends, the bowling green is now the site of most weddings in the Gardens. This lush sunken lawn is framed by ivy-covered stone walls, and is flanked by the stately mansion at one end and a magical fairy fountain at the other.

Vincent's Gates

Originally these charming garden gates hung on the wall of a penthouse apartment in New York City for decoration. When Douglas Chandor would visit the owner, his friend Vincent Bendix, he would hint that if he owned the gates, they would have a very special place in his Gardens.

Vincent finally gave Chandor the gates to hang at a garden entrance, and an inscription at the bottom reads "Good old Vincent. Here are your windows". The gates were restored by the Bradfords' artist daughter in the 1990's.

Triple Tier Fountain

A lovely tiered copper fountain sits just outside the mansion's south porch, once Douglas and Ina Chandor's bedroom patio.

This peaceful spot provides a secluded seating area with sweeping views of the Gardens. From here the horseshoe-shaped staircase leads down to the sunken Chi-Ling fountain.

Buddha Niche

Douglas Chandor's fascination with Chinese elements in the Gardens is certainly reflected here. This lovely spot features a happy Buddha statue tucked within the ivy-covered stone wall.

Chandor surrounded the niche with marbles, and fashioned the rock wall accents in the shape of lotus blossoms. A small fountain on each side completes the serene scene.

Stone of the Immortals

Douglas Chandor fashioned this stone sculpture after similar structures found in Chinese Imperial Gardens.

The large Fu Dog Stone is a symbol of luck and protection for the Gardens, complete with a hole in the center "for evil spirits to pass through."

Surrounded by a circular driveway and shaded by enormous trees, this artwork was constructed from porous, native rock, mortar sea shells and a marble Kuan Yin insert.

Silver Garden

Built in 1950, this circular courtyard was once Douglas Chandor's "silver garden," filled entirely with gray foliage plants that would shimmer in the moonlight.

Partially surrounded by an original Italiante pergola covered with antique climbing roses, this lawn area is now the location for most receptions in the Gardens.

A massive cedar elm tree provides shade to most of the courtyard, and a playful fountain in the center is the hub of four walkways.

Ina's Walk

In 1936 Douglas designed this stone and brick pathway as the initial feature of his garden.

The Latin inscription in the walk is Douglas Chandor’s message to his wife, “May this little garden flourish, consecrated to Ina, in the year of Our Lord Edward the Eighth, forevermore.”

Chandor Mansion

Built in 1939, this Palladian style home was designed by the architect Joseph Pelich to be primarily the artist’s studio.

Douglas and Ina lived here six months out of each year and spent the remaining six months in New York City where Douglas also kept a studio.

Additions to the home were built in the 1940’s and once again after Douglas’ death in the 1950’s.

Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is one of Chandor Gardens modern features, and was completed in 2008.

Placed atop the old parking lot and encircling the Stone of the Immortals, the Labyrinth is fabricated from antique Thurber bricks, the same type that Douglas Chandor used in many other areas of the garden.Crushed granite was chosen to form the path, for the quality of sound when walked upon.

The Chandor Labyrinth is unique, differing from traditional labyrinths in its assymetrical and compositional aspects.

Many people confuse labyrinths and mazes. A maze is a puzzle that pits the participant against the designer, often involving dead ends and back-tracking paths. A labyrinth is a meditative walking path that does not attempt to trick the participant. Traditionally, a labyrinth walker traverses the path to the end, and returns to the point of origin.
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