hector boiardi

Chef Boyardee's Mansion Up For Auction

It's the house that sauce built. A home known as the Chef Boyardee mansion is going up for auction. Ettore "Hector" Boiardi was an Italian immigrant who came to the U.S. at the age of 16 and later moved to Cleveland where he opened up a restaurant. His sauce became so popular that he bottled it and eventually opened up a food factory (the spelling was changed so that Americans would be able to pronounce the name correctly). His business rapidly expanded and he moved to central Pennsylvania in 1938 to be closer to the tomato growers. The Milton, Pennsylvania home up for auction on June 26, 2010 was built in 1941-42 for Boiardi and his wife, Helen. The lavish mansion represented the achievement of an American dream to the Italian chef.

The home has leaded glass windows, a curved staircase and brick fireplaces. A front portico features white pillars and a half-circle stone patio. The 2.8 acre property has an inground pool and a bath house. A report from The Daily Item says that even after Boiardi sold the mansion he could be seen in the area walking the grounds. The mansion has only had two owners, Boiardi and the current owner. It was purchased by Harvey and Rozella Follmer in 1965 and Mrs. Follmer is now downsizing.

The auction is being run by Hassinger & Courtney Auctioneers and includes some furniture owned by the Boiardis including a Spanish revival dining room set and the living room chandelier. More details are available at the Hassinger & Courtney auction site.

Gallery: The House That Boyardee Built