Patterson Irises

Ohio History

More Irises

Yes, I had to do another iris-bow picture! I’ve never seen irises with such unique colors before—or ones so large for that matter. The little yellow ones in the back are irises too, looking a little wilted I think. The garden also featured large yellow irises, forget-me-nots, pink columbine, daisies, roses, hen-and-chicks, and some spiky cactus-looking flowers. Well-weeded dirt and stone paths led amid the foliage. And to think the Pattersons had it at their back door!
PS: See a professional quality photo from the Patterson gardens over at JBeachyPhotography!

Columbines

Ohio History

Purple Bells

These delicate, royal-purple bells hung gracefully against the backdrop of the majestic Patterson house below a brilliant blue sky. Really, they were quite a treat! Columbines aren’t easy to grow, and the plants in this garden were very large. We were actually given a couple purple columbine plants this year, and having four little flowers was a real success!! The little bells on the blossoms are so delicate—it seems like some exotic flower!

Patterson Gardens

Ohio History

Irises in a Row

The Patterson House boasted a beautiful garden in the back. In fact, we actually saw it before touring the house, because we arrived about a half hour before the place opened! There were rainbows of flowers blooming that time of year, including some rather unusual ones. These stunning irises were my favorite—they looked like little bows!

Pink Blossoms

These flowers belong to a small tree that grew near the house. The blossoms are such a deep pink, and so delicate too. The tree almost looked like a sumac at first, but the flowers are much too small. Really, I haven’t the faintest idea what they are. Anybody else have a guess?

Company Workers

Ohio History

NCR Workers Assembling Cash Registers

And last, but not least: the workers themselves. NCR was not a typical factory environment. Mr. Patterson was convinced that happy workers made better machines. After a return of $50,000 worth of defective cash registers in 1894, he began a reform that began with building larger working areas with lots of window for light. The company also offered employee benefits like cheap meals, health care, and a library—revolutionary for its time. The National Cash Register Co. became very successful with these changes, and I think it’s still in business today.

Nat. Cash Reg. Co.

Ohio History

Cash Register Models

Mr. Patterson realized that the cash register would save stores a lot of money if only they would use them. In 1884, John and Frank Patterson bought the National Manufacturing Co. for $6,500, and changed its name to The National Cash Register Company (NCR). They advertised cash registers on the premise that stores would make more profits and lose less money, since employees could no longer steal money from the store. To the right above is an 1885 3-key demo model of a cash register. The one on the left demonstrates the remarkable improvements the Pattersons made to the machines!

Front Steps of NCR

No, you’re not seeing things—this is a picture of 543 cash registers all manufactured on one day at NCR! Needless to say, the Pattersons’ company was extremely successful and grew rapidly. One reason for this was NCR’s sales agents. Mr. Patterson actually had a camp on his estate where he trained future salesmen to standards far above the business world of the time.

Cash Register

Ohio History

Wooden Cash Register

As a toll-collector on the Miami & Erie Canal in Dayton, John H. Patterson was constantly accused of charging higher rates to canal boat captains than other collectors. He developed a unique receipt system on ledgers to show each toll rate paid. Mr. Patterson also owned a coal mining company 100 miles southeast of Dayton. Based on sales, he knew they should be making a profit; however, the business kept losing money. Mr. Patterson purchased a new-on-the-market machine called a “cash register” for $50. Within weeks, the profits soared! Here was a solution for sale clerks and employees with sticky fingers….

Patterson Rooms

Ohio History

Typical Dining Room

Six rooms of the Patterson House were filled with period furniture and décor, while several upstairs rooms displayed models and pictures of their cash registers. The original house was only the two pictured rooms and an upstairs; a large parlor with 20th century furniture was added on later. The house was built by Col. Patterson, and used by three generations of the family, including John H. Patterson’s family. Please don’t ask whose picture is hanging over the fireplace, since I’m sorry I don’t remember what the tour guide told us!

Patterson Sitting Room

Patterson House

Ohio History

Patterson House

Did you know that the inventor of the cash register was a native of Dayton? No, I’m not kidding! John H. Patterson and his brother Frank Patterson made a fortune producing and marketing cash registers. It was their grandfather, Col. Robert Patterson of the Revolutionary War, who settled here in 1804 on a 2,000-acre farm. The Patterson Homestead still stands on part of that land today in Oakwood, a well-to-do suburb of Dayton.