The Society of Ashland's Preservation

Under the direction of Elizabeth Pastor, the Society of Ashland's Preservation was started on March 5, 1973. This group was concerned about the trees being cut down in the city's tree lawns. Pastor and the Society were afraid Center Street would soon look like Claremont Avenue. The organization hoped to stop the City of Ashland from cutting down all of the trees and what they did cut down, would be replaced so that the canopied streets would remain.
Elizabeth Pastor, a musician and faculty member at Ashland University then College, worked in the former F.E. Myers Music Building. The building was razed in 1975 and S.A.P. was incorporated by the State of Ohio on July 3, 1976, just as the fight to save the old jail at 2nd and Cottage Streets. Their mission was simple, to try to preserve the historic natural and man-made sites and structures in and around Ashland, Ohio. After the jail was torn down, the Society for Ashland's Preservation closed it's doors in 1979.
The records of the organization are now housed in the Ashland University Archives. For more information about the Society of Ashland's Preservation go to http://archives.ashland.edu/
Thank you to Hal Morris, George McCool, Andrew Gregersen, Tom Lobb, Fred Reeder, Elizabeth Pastor, Mrs. George (Ann) Franklin, and Mrs. Harold (Elizabeth) Weller who all made their attempt to preserve Ashland's historic landmarks. Although many of the trees were cut down and the old jail was destroyed, it gives me hope that someone after me will continue to fight to preserve Ashland's historic homes.

Wellington's Fall Historic Home Tour

I had the opportunity to attend the Historic Home Tour in Wellington, Ohio last week. Five homes and one carriage house were open to the public. They had some great ideas for advertising support. Wellington Implement had a lawn mower in front of each property open on the tour. A local nursery also had a display. Tastefully done and an easy way to know you are at the right place.
Congratulations Main Street Wellington for a great tour!

UPDATE - The 1st T.W. Miller Home - 713 Center Street

In August I placed the 1st T.W. Miller home at 713 Center Street on my list of most endangered historic places in Ashland County. Today, as I drove down Center Street I was pleasantly surprised. The home has a new roof! It looks like this home may not follow the paths of other homes owned by Gary Austin. If the roof was done well, the home will hopefully have a dry interior for at least another 20 years depending on the type and quality of shingles.
Although the original slate was removed, and the color and style is different than what was there, I am happy to see this home coming back with some potential. I don't know if he got a permit from the Historic Preservation Board from the City of Ashland, but I can over look that since other in the Center Street Historic District have altered their properties without approval or even an application in the the Historic Preservation Board.
This house was the first home of T.W. Miller and his bride, Helen Myers, the youngest daughter of F.E. And Alvesta Myers. It must have been a showcase in its day. The Warren Palmer family bought it in 1914 and lived there through the 1950s. Mr. Palmer, with Ed Mayner, operated a dry goods store on Main Street. It is currently an apartment house owned by Gary Austin. Mr. Austin has had two other properties torn down by the City of Ashland, demolition by neglect. 522 Cottage was a huge Victorian Mansion, as was 340 West Walnut Street. Both were in terrible shape, but were not kept up. According to the Ashland County Auditor's website the 2634 square foot century home at 340 West Walnut Street had a value of $50,440. The land itself is now valued at $14,990.
I will try to get over and take a new picture of the home to post this week!

UPDATE - The Williams House - 208 W. Walnut

In 1997 this home sold for $81,328. In May of 2010, FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP. took over the property that was then valued at $50,667. On October 5, 2010 David and Amy Brucato purchased the property for a bargain price of $22,000 from the bank. Good luck to the Brucatos and I hope they are able to bring this home back to what it was when it was built in 1888!

Wellington Historic Home Tour

While Wellington faces its own problems to preserve its historic structures, we have a lot to learn from other communities. Going to support their home tour would be a great step in the process.

Wellington Historic Home Tour
Featuring 5 Historic Homes and Carriage House
Sunday, October 10, 2010
2PM to 6PM
Tickets $10 Pre-Sale $12 Day of the Event
Named One of America's Best Old House Neighborhoods by "This Old House Magazine"
For more information call 440-647-3987
www.mainstreetwellington.org

UPDATE - The Williams House - West Walnut Street

The Williams House where Charles Kettering was married has apparently sold. It now has a for rent sign in the front yard. The last list price the the property I believe was $24,000. Unfortunately, no work has been done to rehab the exterior and it is a rental, but it is better than sitting empty.