The History of Riddle...

Mr. Samuel D. Riddle, a native of Delaware County, owned and operated a woolen mill business. He was best known however, as a sportsman and the breeder of fine race horses — the most famous of which were Man O' War and War Admiral. Upon his death in January of 1951, Mr. Riddle's will stipulated that his estate be used to provide a hospital for the community of Media which he dearly loved. With the $2.5 million and the 72 acres of land, fronted by Baltimore Pike, provided by Mr. Riddle, a charter for the hospital was granted on November 29, 1956. Riddle Memorial Hospital was built, opening in February of 1963, on 34 acres of land. It was thought appropriate that the balance of the land be used at some future date in some manner related to the health and well -being of the community. Riddle Village was the project to fulfill that goal. Donald L. Laughlin, President of Riddle Memorial Hospital for 37 years, looked at the land laying fallow next to Riddle Memorial Hospital, he didn't see empty land. He saw a modern, fully-equipped retirement community providing three levels of care to seniors in a home-like environment. And he worked tirelessly for more than a decade to make his dream a reality. Without his perseverance and endurance, Riddle Village would not be here today. His aim was to give a quality service at all levels of care; to offer a concerned, stimulating and healthy environment to residents. He wanted Riddle Village to offer the comfort and security and family atmosphere of one's own home. He insisted the decor be elegant and tasteful; that there be a spacious lobby; large, bright apartments; dining rooms that were relaxed in mood (one, the Governour's Inne, is reminiscent of the Greenbriar in West Virginia); and that the buildings be attached so no one would have to walk outside to dinner or to Monticello to see an ill spouse. After his retirement on December 31, 2000, Don came to Riddle Village and spent the last two years of his life in the home that was his pride and joy.

(Riddle Village is a separate entity from the hospital. It is an independent, not-for-profit retirement lifecare community.)

Sam Riddle

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Hold your strength till the barriers fly,
then close with the leaders eye to eye.
Thundering hooves and the mad jammed race,
blood in the nostrils, sweat in the face.
And children, remember wherever you are,
you carry the blood of Man o' War.

Anonymous

Man O' War, also know as Big Red, will always be the greatest thoroughbred of the 20th century and the millennium.