Columbus, OH (May 11, 2023) – Preservation Ohio, the state’s original statewide historic preservation organization, has announced the official List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites for 2023.
Thirty years ago, Ohio’s statewide preservation organization had an idea. Why not highlight the most at-risk properties in the state to showcase both the precarious condition of many significant historic resources while also promoting them as opportunities for reinvestment? Originally, the List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites was issued every other year; approximately 20 years ago the change was made to an annual listing.
While it is certain that some listings have been lost in the last 30 years, the List has played a vital role in safeguarding a future for important pieces of Ohio’s past. These include, among many others, the John T. Wilson house in Adams County; the Westcott House (Frank Lloyd Wright’s only Prairie style commission in the state); the Historic Unionville Tavern on the Lake/Ashtabula County border; and the Athenaeum in downtown Columbus.
This year, Preservation Ohio again received a large number of nominations for this important list, which confirms both that much of our state’s historic properties remain at risk and that interest in preservation is growing across the state of Ohio. Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites is unique in that it highlights historic buildings and sites submitted from local citizens and advocates, each hoping to bring attention and to identify ways to give important historic properties a future. Out of the many properties nominated this year, Preservation Ohio’s board was tasked with choosing the most at risk. Twelve properties representing all areas of Ohio are included in this years edition.
Preservation Ohio accepts nominations from any citizen or organization. Since its inception in 1993, being named to the list has contributed to saving examples of Ohio’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage. Circumstances that contribute to the endangered status and result in sites being named to the list typically include one or more of the following factors: demolition threat, abandonment, neglectful owner, deterioration, obsolete use, lack of funding for repairs, location or development.
About Preservation Ohio – Preservation Ohio is Ohio’s oldest and original statewide historic preservation organization, an independent, non-profit organization recognized under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Preservation Ohio was established in 1982 to enhance the understanding of and appreciation for Ohio’s historic resources and to serve as a focal point for Ohio organizations, municipalities, corporations and individuals who care about these resources and are concerned about preservation for future generations. For more information and updates, visit our website at www.preserveohio.com, follow us on Twitter @PreservationOH, or like us on Facebook. Preservation Ohio is celebrating its 41st Anniversary this May.
All of the information below is taken from each site’s nomination form. For previous years’ lists, click here. Click any image below for a larger view. More information is available by contacting Thomas Palmer, Executive Director, at: thomasatpo@gmail.com.
HENDERSON HOUSE – COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN COUNTY
The Henderson House, located at 1544 Atcheson Street in Columbus, is under threat of demolition for an expansion project of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The house, which dates to before 1872, is associated with the family of President Rutherford B. Hayes and African American lawyer Leonard Pearl Henderson and was visited by the likes of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. The structure is boarded up but remains in good condition, and sits on 0.76 acres. Community opposition to the plan has been expressed. More information on the house and its current plight is available here.
Press release from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – May 12
ERIE STREET CEMETERY – CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA COUNTY
The site was first surveyed by Leonard Case, Sr. (pioneer of the Western Reserve) in 1825 as an attempt to find an area farther away from the village center for a burial ground. Today, the site sits less than a mile from Cleveland’s Public Square, directly across from the Guardian’s baseball stadium on the main street that runs through Downtown (E.9th Street). The 19th century architecture on site is in emergent and immediate need of preservation and restoration. The grounds themselves need a large long-term preservation effort, before gravestones and mausoleums of Cleveland’s most important and significant pioneers are gone. More information is here.
IOOF BUILDING/OLD MIAMI COUNTY COURTHOUSE – TROY, MIAMI COUNTY
The property in question is located in the block adjacent to Troy’s Public Square Historic District. The front building dates to 1902 and is a three-story brick Richardsonian Romanesque building. The rear portion is a two-story Greek Revival structure that served as the Miami County Courthouse from 1840 to 1888. The threat is imminent. Despite recent court victories by the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance and neighboring property owners, the property owner is actively trying to demolish the building. The matter has already resulted in court action and multiple hearings. The courthouse’s past includes a significant connection to African-American history. The ongoing situation can be followed here.
Most Endangered Coverage – Dayton Daily News – May 12
Most Endangered Coverage – WHIO TV – May 12
THE MOORE HOUSE – CIRCLEVILLE, PICKAWAY COUNTY
The Moore House is located at 304 South Court Street in Circleville and originally dates to 1820. The house is part of the National Register Historic District of downtown Circlevillle. The home itself is rumored to have been part of the underground railroad; Samuel Moore was a conductor on the underground railroad, helping slaves to freedom. The primary threats are the need to replace the roof and some foundational issues. The owners are desirous of preserving the house and are seeking attention for that effort through the nomination process for Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.
GREENTREE TAVERN – LEBANON, WARREN COUNTY
Greentree Tavern has a long and rich history that deserves to be told. According to the nominator, this may be one of the oldest tavern/residences in Ohio – perhaps as old as 230 years. It is located at 1600 State Route 741, and has ties to the local Shaker community as an important stop between Lebanon and Springboro. The purpose in nomination was to draw attention to a neglected property that represents an important connection to the past.
NORTHEAST CORNER OF PUBLIC SQUARE – MOUNT VERNON, KNOX COUNTY
Mount Vernon’s Public Square has seen the loss of historic fabric in the last 50 years, but the potential loss of these commercial buildings would be an even more dramatic blow to the sense of place in a place which has housed one of Ohio’s best collections of period architecture. The City of Mount Vernon has purchased these properties with the express intent of removing them for construction of a new municipal building. Unfortunately, the City has a historic preservation ordinance that lacks the full slate of protections that would safeguard the historic integrity of the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Local opposition has been expressed, as evidenced in this news story.
AMAZING GRACE COTTAGE – CADIZ, HARRISON COUNTY
The house currently is in the city demolition pipeline with demolition being imminent. Some broken windows and vandalism are occurring in this last remaining example of the Gothic Revival Style in Cadiz. Goal is to stabilize with new metal raised seam roof, clean up the house and two original outbuildings (one still has the two horse stalls intact and hay loft tack room above) and ultimately to sensitively restore it according to the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation, with preservation covenants in place. A restored house will help stabilize and promote a fading neighborhood with the actor Clark Gable’s birthplace/museum less than 200 yards away.
HESSLER COURT AND HESSLER ROAD HISTORIC DISTRICT – CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA COUNTY
Hessler Court and Hessler Road Historic District is Cleveland’s first Historic District, dedicated in 1975. Hessler Court is Cleveland’s last woodblock paved road, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Hessler was developed between 1904 and 1927, it was a middle class addition to a fashionable district. Hessler Court and Hessler Road Historic District is a self contained neighborhood and enclave of wood framed single and double houses, terraces and apartments. At present, Hessler’s faced with inappropriate development in the gateway of the Historic District and numerous negligent landlords, letting their buildings rot and crumble. More info here –> www.hesslerstreet.wordpress.
OHMER GARAGE – DAYTON, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The three story, five bay building is located on the south side of First Street between Jefferson and Main Streets (Photograph 56). It shares its west wall with the Victoria Theatre (120) located at the Main Street corner. The building is unusual in that, rather than being a simple commercial building as others associated with the automobile from the period were, Ohmer Garage is a classically embellished building. Terracotta pieces are actively falling from the facade with no attempt to fix/secure them. The building has been boarded up with a flat roof, so water damage is imminent. The building could easily be turned into viable retail space again, or even condos given close proximity to the theater and efforts to turn historic hotels in the area into apartments.
Most Endangered Coverage – Dayton Business Journal – May 12
Most Endangered Announcement – Dayton Preservation
DWIGHT L. BARNES SCHOOL – KETTERING, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The two-story tan brick building has a deep setback on Far Hills Avenue, a major transportation corridor that connects downtown Dayton to its southern neighbors. The original portion of the building facing Far Hills was built to house Fairmont High School in 1929-1930. The threat is on-going, as the Kettering School Board announced plans to have the building demolished. Although structurally sound (as far as we know), the School Board does not have a viable use for the building, and required remediation would be costly. The goal of the preservation effort is to work with the Kettering School Board to find an alternative use for the building, using Historic Tax Credits and other incentives to mitigate the costs of rehabilitation.
Most Endangered Coverage – Dayton Business Journal – May 12
Most Endangered Announcement – Dayton Preservation
THE HISTORIC RESOURCES OF PARK AVENUE WEST – MANSFIELD, RICHLAND COUNTY
The area consists of approximately eight blocks along the main street of Mansfield, Richland County. The street features outstanding examples of Italianate, Queen Anne, Prairie, and other styles of nineteenth and early twentieth century architecture. Like the grand avenues of many Ohio cities, Park Avenue West has experienced decades of disinvestment with a resulting loss of historic resources. Large gaps have developed in the streetscape and several structures are in precarious condition. Limited renovation and restoration efforts have stalled. The threat is imminent as the street is nearing the tipping point of being able to reflect any semblance of its rich history.
B.F. GOODRICH SMOKESTACKS AND POWERHOUSE – AKRON, SUMMIT COUNTY
The B. F. Goodrich smokestacks and powerhouse are slated for demolition after Akron City Council approved the razing of the structures in November 2022. The smokestacks were built in 1920, and they have served as a part of Akron’s iconic skyline and a landmark representing Akron’s rubber industry heritage. The powerhouse serves as a structural support base for the smokestacks. Akron has not announced a plan for how the property will be used once it is cleaned — or what will become of all the bricks. Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron (PTP) has been attempting an advocacy effort for the last several weeks and has brainstormed several adaptive reuse ideas for the structures. Photo Credit: Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron
More information on this story – Akron Beacon Journal
Most Endangered Announcement – Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron
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