John S.

Butane is used to concentrate Cannabis oils and turn it into solid resin, often called "shatter" because it solidifies and breaks easily. Another form is more fluid and sometimes called "butter". These concentrates can have very high levels of THC and/or CBDs. (the psychoactive ingredients in Cannabis)

Some encouraging news came out of yesterday's Community Improvement Corporation's monthly meeting. It was decided to delay demolition while proposed solutions are explored more fully. An out of town investor with roots in Cadiz is working out the details to acquire and begin rehabilitation of the faded structure. The investor's name wasn't disclosed because a formal proposal to acquire and rehab the building will be presented in the weeks ahead. A group of concerned Cadiz citizens interested in seeing the Bank building saved were very pleased with the meeting's outcome. I suggested to those members that it would be prudent to seek out other potential solutions until all the paperwork was signed and delivered. While those of us who want the building saved are not out of the woods just yet, finally, there's some light at the end of the tunnel. As conditions evolve, I'll post more updates as appropriate. The rare Preservation victory is what keeps us going.

Thanks to everyone for sharing the links and updates. The Ohio Capital Journal article was an interesting read. I've never seen illegal MJ sales quite described the way they did: (while) "others purchase marijuana in informal markets currently." Almost as humorous was their serious conclusion that legalizing Cannabis in Ohio could somehow lead to increased consumption. Allowing folks to cultivate six plants at home could have interesting consequences. (and spawn a cottage home growing industry for lights and supplies) When I lived for two years in Northern California, I saw Cannabis plants the size of bushes with heavy yields so bountiful that Cheech & Chong couldn't keep up with the output. (I also noticed in CA that deer like to eat the plants growing outside) I wonder if the six plants per person allowance part passes, will those growing their own have to pay for grower tags or obtain a license to cultivate? I guess the answers will come after the Nov. vote if the measure passes. If passage of the measure results in increased availability and lower prices, I'm all for it and will vote accordingly. What will come next-April 20th ("420") being declared a national holiday or MTV creating a "Pot TV" channel? Will Cannabis become so socially acceptable in another generation or two that it will be considered as American as Motherhood and Apple Pie? It wasn't too many years ago that Cannabis, Pot/MJ, was still in the dark Reefer Madness days of nationwide prohibition. At some point, the Federal Govt. is going to have to listen to the will of the people and take Cannabis out of the War on Drugs. (where it never should have been in the first place) The medical value of Cannabis has been known since antiquity.

Since it's now August, a brief update seemed appropriate. The fate of this highly endangered historic property remains unchanged. Basically, the absentee owner (a medical doctor in Cleveland) hasn't responded to any of the letters or messages that I and my broker agent have sent seeking to buy the property. I suppose I could drive the two hours to Cleveland but that doesn't guarantee the owner would even speak to me. I'll continue to look for any pathways leading towards a sale. Of course, in the category of be careful what you wish for, should a sale take place, then there's six months or longer of hard labor and expensive materials to consider as well as the still unfulfilled need to find someone to assist me with a whole house restoration project. I guess I was overly optimistic to think there might be someone among Urban Ohio's members who would be interested. So long as the property is in limbo, (doctor is paying the property taxes) I suppose the finding a helper part doesn't matter.

Since we're now in August, it seemed appropriate to mention the Uptown Bank Building demolition decision comes up for final vote on August 24. (Thursday) At the center of the decision, two conditions have to be addressed for the local Community Improvement Corporation (C.I.C.) to change their recommendation for demolition to a recommendation to rehab the rare but faded structure. First is how much will the rehab cost; second is who is going to pay for it? A local engineering firm was supposed to come out in the past couple of weeks to re-inspect what remains of the structure and determine if anything has changed since the prior inspection and report about five years ago. The most important question has to do with funding-a hired consultant (Kenneth Mason) is seeking funding from the Vibrant communities fund and an Appalachian Communities fund. Should either condition or funding be negative then someone needs to take the last pictures and then stand aside. A proposal to dismantle the distinctive Beaux Arts limestone facade didn't seem to generation much support. Because I've written articles in support of saving the bank building and the newspaper honorarily titled me as a "staff writer" I will not be at the meeting because I do not want to bias any of the C.I.C. members. I did resign from writing articles for the newspaper several weeks ago since I never accepted pay for the articles. My gut feeling is the rather difficult requirements to save the building are not going to be met. Onward to the next Preservation challenge

Now that the August 8 super-majority threshold requirement bill was soundly defeated, that puts the MJ legalization initiative up for our vote in November, right? I suppose since so many states have legalized recreational MJ (23 or 24?) does anyone think the measure will pass here in November? My connection to this issue is having a valid Ohio Medical MJ card/license/prescription for the past two years while noting how expensive the medical grade Cannabis is. I know some of the surrounding states like Illinois and Michigan have had fully legal Cannabis markets for several years and it would seem keeping recreational MJ illegal only sends money across state borders and to illicit suppliers in the underground economy without oversight or accountability. (until they are caught) There has been little space in the media about this issue in November. I'm only curious to learn if others, better informed, might have some insight into what the prospects are of the measure passing? I have read that at the State level more resources are being given to the department responsible for regulating and overseeing MJ in Ohio. Does this mean at the State government level they are expecting full legalization in November or just that the numbers of Ohio medical Cannabis patients has grown significantly in our State? I recall the Ohio legalization efforts going back many years and were discussed here.

Greetings, Today was one of those weekdays where a bit more free time was available so thought I'd momentarily veer off topic and share a few observations from a perspective some of you may have already experienced yourself or may someday find yourself in a similar situation. I'm referring to experiencing widowhood after a long and rewarding marriage that ended in the "till death do us part" scenario. My spouse moved with me from Texas to eastern Ohio in October 2020 in the midst of the Pandemic. A sale of our home in Texas provided the long wished for opportunity to relocate to the Midwest and THE house (an early 1900's "bricktorian") happened to be found in Ohio. I was an around the clock caregiver for my spouse until last July when Liver disease, first diagnosed in 2013, took away my beloved. That left me alone again and in the over 60 bracket. Months passed while I became accustomed to living by myself again in a big house. My sole source of affection was a charming Bearded Dragon lizard, Redbud, that I was gifted a month before our move. She likes the climate in Ohio and so do I. My first feeble attempts to reconnect to potentially available ladies occurred over the year end Holidays last year. (I didn't want to be alone on the Holidays but that's the way it turned out) My assumptions were that the best way to seek and and find potential friends was to exchange emails, texts, and in time, phone calls, while focusing on women who might share mutual interests and would be compatible. When a man is older, seeking women for companionship from a specific age group becomes more challenging. While I've known a number of kind-hearted white haired Grannies over the years, I'm still young enough to appreciate physical beauty. Those younger than 30 almost for certain have their own agenda and it's likely to be much different from mine. Besides, they are more likely to be thinking about kids and raising a family and I've been there and done that. Therefore; my ideal dating range would be from 35 to maybe 60, active, physically fit, and adaptable to a busy lifestyle. I bought a rowing machine a few months before my spouse passed because I was overweight and a little flabby and was having difficulties picking her up when she fell, which happened much too often. Over a year later, I'm in the best physical shape since I was in my 50's and feel like a younger man trapped in an older man's body. I've allowed my hair to grow out again as I've been a keen aficionado of Rock & Roll since my teens. (I also play electric guitar whenever I have time) I've been tempted to get one of those T-Shirts emblazoned with "Over 60 and still not grown up? Then DON'T". I read several mentions of different dating sites (paid subscriptions required) but those oriented towards seniors are a total turnoff to me. As I told a friend, I need to find someone younger and energetic to keep me young and energetic. Locally, in this Village of 3,200 (Cadiz) there just aren't that many places to meet women. On most days, they almost literally roll up the sidewalks after 6 PM, year round. Sure, there's the Church thing, but while I'm deeply spiritual, I'm not very religious. My experiences so far in trying to find online girl friends have been disappointing. No disrespect intended, but the women on the Internet I've encountered-on Farcebook especially-sadly fit into the marked down, damaged goods category or they confess being divorcees who were the ones at fault. Others are abused and hurt women who need a psychological counselor more so than they need a life mate. Then there are those for whom chatting with men they don't know is a kind of an exciting game and they make you uncomfortably feel like your the mark and they are the gold diggers or schemers. Only a time or two have I found someone who seemed good-hearted, of an acceptable age and in good health, who might be worth further looking into but barriers of distance make meeting face to face unlikely. In summary, if any of you fit into the widower category, then you have my deepest sympathy. Will I find the love of my life on Urban Ohio? (chuckling) Not very likely, but I suppose anything is possible. I did take notice that all the posts in this thread were written by men. That said, since I've been a reader of Urban Ohio for over a decade, I feel this site is best suited for presenting life in Ohio's 3-C's as well as taking the pulse of politics and sharing the daily lives of readers here. I see this "Dating" thread as useful but perhaps only to show that real people visit this site. If anyone has any insights or pointers, I'd like to read them. Last, poor Honey Boo-Boo. As a little girl I feel she was exploited by the media and a victim of her socio-economic class, kind of like being in a Circus freak sideshow. How much better it might have been for there to have been intervention, education, and compassion that would have led to lifestyle changes giving her life much more meaning and joy. She may continue to be on the large side, but if she had been put on a path towards a healthier weight, she could have legitimately been called a beauty. I sincerely wish her the best as she faces adulthood. One motto that I found helpful in losing weight was "Eat to live, don't live to eat". Simple, but true. May all of you with unrequited love find true love in your future.

Thanks for your comments, Mayday. To me, this small town of 3,200 has great restoration potential. After I bought my home, two other individuals bought historic homes nearby and one was from Miami, FL (retired) and the other, a younger ex-Navy intelligence Vet in his 30's (originally from the Cleveland area) bought an 1850's cube type Italianate across the street from me to restore. (228 W. Market) I do think there's still enough here to bring outsiders to Cadiz but whether we will ever reach critical mass enough to fill all the vacant (yes, a few are abandoned) properties, remains to be seen. I hear you loud and clear about regional economic issues impacting small town growth in the Ohio River Valley. But plucky Wheeling, is finally beginning to realize that preservation has economic benefits. (the Magnolia network show "In with the Old" featured a Wheeling Victorian brick townhouse in a recent episode) That said, poor old Wheeling Island besides periodic flooding and demolitions, may or may not survive. Nearby Bridgeport and Steubenville, OH have lost much of their historic residential housing stock and 19th century commercial buildings. I also agree about local economic health impacting hospitals and local healthcare, as well. We have a county hospital here bought a couple of years ago and run by WVU Medicine where my spouse was admitted last July and five days later she expired at another WVU facility in Glen Dale. WV. Not saying the outcome would have been different anywhere else, but then two doctors at WVU Harrison Co. told me a suspicious bump on my face was nothing to worry about so I switched to Trinity Healthcare and that nothing to worry about bump turned out to be basal cell cancer. (surgery scheduled on June 28 in Pittsburgh) I think the maternity ward here closed years ago. There's a lot of drilling and fracking going on in this area and some have realized financial windfalls but much of the activity is done with crews brought in from places like Texas and once their work is done, they're gone. In summary, I completely agree with you that "hopefully there will be a positive outcome". I think that's about the best we can hope for. If I may add one last thought. When I left Fort Worth, TX, in 2020, the intense summer heat there was literally hurting me. Supposed to be 111 F. in the DFW metro for Friday of this week and its only June. They also have persistent and extended droughts, so water resources are stretched thin, not to mention periodic statewide electrical grid problems. When temps in Texas were at zero or below in February of 2022, the low here was 28 F. on the coldest day, The Texas electrical grid infamously failed and some people died from the unexpected intense cold. I sincerely believe Ohio is perfectly positioned to receive a fairly large number of what are called "climate refugees" right now and more so in the years ahead. Add the new Intel chip giga-factory near Columbus and I feel the future prospects for Ohio generally are better than they've been in years. Only time will tell.

Thanks, Ink. There's a very strong tear-down mentality in Cadiz making preservation a hard sell here. This very important downtown block directly across from our iconic Harrison County Courthouse is already almost half destroyed. At the turn of the last century it was the busiest part of downtown Cadiz. It still retains the Bank Building (until the August deadline) but the large 1880's Custer Hotel was demolished in 2015 and a theater next door was razed at the same time. On the other side of the doomed bank building is a rare 19th century Opera house, partially renovated as a real estate/law office. I was told the auditorium upstairs with an ornamental tin ceiling is still intact. Here's a c. 1910 panoramic view of the block showing right to left: the Custer Hotel (1880's-demolished in 2015) a theater (single screen I believe)-age unknown but it was demolished with the hotel in 2015; then the gleaming white Indiana limestone clad Bank building slated for demolition in August 2023 and the building on the end was the old 19th century Opera House. (unrestored but mostly intact) I would love for Cadiz to join the National Trust's Mainstreet Program as nearby Wheeling, WV has recently done. But time is running out as I think some misguided folks believe only when the last old house and building have been razed, will prosperity return to the community. So many still don't get it that you cannot demolish your way back to prosperity. Demolition is not like if you build it, they (new residents) will come. A constant nibbling away of the built environment is a fast way to get to ghost town status over time. I'll keep trying, but I wish there were more Cadiz citizens who could see the value in our historic architecture. Chain store businesses aren't built for the ages-they may look acceptable through modern eyes, but otherwise they are the same from Maine to California. In 2123, no old chain retail buildings will likely remain because of built in obsolescence. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, structures were built to last generations, and they have. Threats from intentional human destruction are worse than termites, fires, and neglect although neglect can be considered passive destruction. Some communities in our state seem to "get it" while others, sadly, don't seem to have a clue. Nothing I can say that hasn't already been said countless times. When The Pretenders came out with My City Was Gone song it spoke volumes about the demolition mentality. I'm glad that I got to know you years ago; otherwise, I might think no one in Ohio cares...but, I know at least some do.

Thanks, it has been a rough past 10 months but I'm thankful to have other things that have helped me cope with the losses.

While making efforts to acquire and save the last residential example in Cadiz of the Gothic Revival style, I was informed about a prominent downtown Cadiz building , formerly used as a bank, that was now going up for council vote with demolition recommended. Cadiz, at the turn of the last century, was a booming town boosted by the regional prosperity brought on by a huge industrial Steel making complex around Pittsburgh and many supporting industries around the Ohio River Valley. The Indiana limestone clad bank building was called the Fourth National Bank Building when completed and it was located directly across the street from our County Courthouse steps. (122 West Market St.) A more important or strategic downtown location would be hard to identify. The contractor-builder was arguably the best builder to ever call Cadiz home, Edwin Marion Long. I live in a late Queen Anne/Colonial style brick home built by Mr. Long in 1909. He also had a hand in so many other fine homes and buildings in the Village but no structure was ever finer than the Bank building. Sadly, it had an upstairs fire some years ago and afterwards sat vacant and damaged to the point where some see demolition as the only choice. I went to the last Community Improvement Corporation (C.I.C.) meeting on May 25 and after a discussion that included the Village Mayor, it was decided that August would be the final deadline to present alternatives to demolition. All is not as bleak as it may seem, though. C.I.C. consultant Kenneth Mason, (with roots in Harrison County that go back to 1822) has been working on a plan to save the landmark building for several years. Present demolition costs totaling $110K are already allocated with a Demo contractor waiting in the wings. Mr. Mason, who is skilled and experienced in lining up grant funds, believes he can get enough financial support to meet the deadline. I wrote a piece for the local newspaper pleading if the whole building cannot be saved, then at least preserve the Indiana Limestone facade and build something new behind it. Shelley Coffelt, a local business owner and preservation friendly Village downtown promoter, has started a petition drive to save the bank building in her downtown From Ranch to Table restaurant and encouragingly, she's getting some unexpected support from local Cadiz citizens. I know some readers here have connections with contractors and restoration specialists in other areas of Ohio like Cincinnati's Over The Rhine, and I would invite and encourage them to give this important rescue effort a look to see if it would be a good fit with their business capabilities. There is no other building like it in Cadiz so to me it seems unconscionable to destroy such an iconic downtown landmark. Saving this building would be a huge win for preservation in Cadiz while losing it would just be another in a long string of preservation losses going back decades. Our native Cadiz son, statesman John A. Bingham, from Abraham Lincoln's cabinet, had his own brick home only a few hundred feet away from the endangered Bank Building. It was senselessly demolished in the 1960's according to what I've been told. (archival Library of Congress image of lost Bingham home attached) His life size bronze statue stands in front of the Courthouse gesturing towards where his home once stood. I'm finding historic preservation to be a fairly heavy lift in the Village of Cadiz. This Village dating back to 1803 is full of history and architecture but unless a greater effort is made to preserve what we have left, the losses will continue. I welcome any input and/or questions from Forum readers as on-going efforts to save our unique 1905 bank building continue. I proposed that the former Bank building could be used as class A office space or even something as unconventional as three new luxury Condo suites on each level, with a rooftop deck and observation area. Adaptive reuse ideas are not the problem, getting enough support to convince Village leaders to not demolish it unfortunately, is.

Greetings, After a long posting absence and some difficult personal issues, (like the loss of my spouse last July and my Mom only a week ago) I wanted to return to the Forum to share some preservation news in my adopted hometown of Cadiz, as well as more regionally. First, the Statewide preservation organization, Preservation Ohio, (Thomas Palmer, executive director) released its 2023 list of Ohio's most endangered properties. I had submitted a nomination form last Fall for a rare c. 1850 Gothic Revival Cottage, the only example of that style remaining in our "Village" of about 3,200. Here's the list: https://preserveohio.com/2023-ohios-most-endangered-historic-sites/ I was saddened to see Mansfield's Park Avenue West on the list as well. Even worse news was recently posted on Facebook by an individual who said the often photographed brick Bissman House on P.A.W. (remodeled from plans by Knoxville, TN architect George F. Barber in the 1890's) was said by a family member to now be considered as a "teardown". Since moving to Ohio in the Fall of 2020, I've gotten involved locally in historic preservation matters and I'm dismayed that the old "demolition solves all problems" mentality persists. I've been trying to negotiate with the absentee Doctor owner of the faded Gothic Cottage I affectionately refer to as the Amazing Grace Cottage, since last October. I've also pleaded with the Village officials to hold off demolition while I continue to seek a rescue. Somewhat disappointing as well have been my efforts to recruit a younger helper for this project and I have searched as far away as Shasta County, CA (a Renaissance Faire Blacksmith) as well as a Texas candidate, family related, and then last a recent Ball State U. grad from Indianapolis, without being able to find a suitable candidate. Historic Preservation continues to be a hard sell in some parts of Ohio. The local Harrison News Herald newspaper has shown sympathy towards preservation as a stunning 1905 Indiana limestone clad Beaux Arts style bank building is now in the demo crosshairs with only a 90 day reprieve being given to prevent it being permanently lost. (I'll share that article separately) I'm therefore curious, does anyone think historic preservation has become a harder sell in Ohio lately? I know the Governor's long standing demolition friendly position, but I figured there was more support for saving's Ohio's built heritage than what I'm seeing lately. I welcome input from others on this topic. John

Not sure why the "Detroitification" of Walnut Hills continues. I recall that grand house with the upper balcony Queen Anne style door (several years ago it still had a small ornamental balustraded porch.) facing the end of the street was for sale for almost nothing. Much of its mostly walnut interior was still intact including an impressive staircase. The house had formerly been an Africa-American Masonic lodge and during the time it was up for sale quite a few interesting pieces of Masonic memorabilia remained inside the house. Blame the destruction perhaps on the deteriorated neighborhood but I think the decision to gradually clear out this area had been made long ago. Apparently, some in the Queen City still believe it's possible to demolish your way back to prosperity. Rather sad as well that many of these once fine homes also had architectural salvage of considerable value which creates the impression that they are worth more "dead" then they we're when they could have still been saved and rehabbed. Some years ago, I was mesmerized by the architectural riches of Cincinnati but over time I observed that the most frequent tool of choice for dealing with perceived "eyesores" was demolition. I reluctantly came to the conclusion that Cincinnati would never become more enlightened so I looked elsewhere. Sorry to be disrespectful towards Detroit, some of their most deteriorated old neighborhoods, like Brush Park, have seen millions invested in recent years creating a mini urban renaissance. In the meantime, plucky old Cincinnati continues to grind its 19th century architecture into oblivion while not realizing almost anything they could conceivably now build post demolition would never surpass the quality and originality of what was there a century ago. (insert sad emoticon here)

Agreed about the losses over the years. As many know, Cleveland had one of the most incredible residential districts in the United States in the second half of the 19th century along Euclid Avenue now nearly all gone. Former Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine (now Governor, of course) championed the "Moving Ohio Forward" program that was responsible for razing hundreds of thousands of "sub-standard" structures across the state after 2008. But even my own home in Texas, a very rare 1889 survivor, is awaiting being bulldozed for new apartments so historic preservation across the country is in a state of crisis, presently. I'm just glad to be able to take the loss of my former home of 31 years in Texas and use it for rescuing a worthy Ohio historic home that hopefully will be around for the future. I realize all of this has little to do with the weather (more snow in Cadiz today) so I'll get off my soapbox right now and try to get back on topic.

Just wanted to give a shout out of thanks to richNcincy for patiently sorting some technical issues and working out a glitch I had with upgrading my UO membership. He spent a couple of days on the problem but finally found a workable solution. Not many folks would have had the patience to spend that much time on a technical issue. You really made my week and I sincerely appreciate your help.

Yes, a Cleveland Architect with the last name "Beer" designed the wrap around, art tiled porch and Porte Cochere (carriage port) I'm very fortunate to have been given blueprints dating from 1909 for the porch addition. However, perhaps to save space or to pack the blueprints in a drawer, they were folded and then folded again into a tight 6 x 6" bundle and the pieces are beginning to disintegrate so I would perhaps need the assistance of a paper conservator to unfold the fragile pieces. The original house was built for Cadiz inventor-industrialist Charles Scott in 1897 in a blend of late Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles. Mr. Scott's wife, Martha, was descended from a family who came from the Isle of Wight in far southern England and they allegedly lived very near the ancient Carisbrooke Castle. (still an island tourist attraction) In honor of that family legacy, the Scotts had "Carisbrooke" and the date of 1909 chiseled into the stone blocks at the entrance to the porch. Mr. Scott, a watchmaker, bicycle factory owner, and inventor by trade, invented and developed a belted mesh tire design at the turn of the last century which later on Goodyear of Akron bought the patents rights to allowing the Scotts to doll up their home. The once fine home has unfortunately lost a lot of the luster that it once had but it is my goal to bring it back.

After a significant lapse in posting, (2-3 years) fate now finds me not only occasionally visiting the Urban Ohio site, but actually calling the Buckeye State our home. Since I now also have an Ohio driver's license as well as having bought a turn of the last century old house in the town of Cadiz, I presume I can officially declare myself a (newbie) Buckeye. Been a long time coming...it merely took 12 years from the time I started thinking about moving to Ohio from (Fort Worth) Texas-yeah, I know what some of you may be thinking: WTF? but then I've always been a contrarian-to now actually getting here. I guess patience is one of my virtues as well. Since we arrived and closed on our lovely old house in Cadiz in late October, I fully expected near arctic conditions to imminently descend upon us and keep us snow and ice bound until late April. True, we did get a fair amount of snow a couple of weeks ago, but the Snow-Maggedon I was expecting has yet to materialize. Some misinformed folks down in Texas naively believe Ohio winters are worse than Alaska's but I have spent enough time in the Midwest (a couple of years in St. Joseph, MO in far northern Missouri) that I was skeptical of the extreme winter conditions I might find here. In fact, when we arrived in late October, there were a couple of days here when it was warmer by a few degrees than it was back in Texas which was mind boggling to me at the time. I personally like four season weather including some occasional snow so I see no reason to be filled with panic and dread. I also like this Ohio Valley region, so far. The last time I visited the region was back around 2000 when I traveled along the river from East Liverpool down to Marietta. I'm looking forward to revisiting those areas in the months to come. This is a very picturesque region of the State, IMO. Below is a photo of our home taken during the snowfall we recently had.

Thanks for sharing a very impressive set of photos covering a wide geographical area and with architecture spanning two centuries or more. From my own travels, I recognize photo # 47 as a faded mansion in the Dayton neighborhood of Daytonview (on Yale I believe) It's really sad to see the decline there in what was once one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the City. More hopeful is Springfield's South Fountain Street intact historic streetscape in photo #51. Shawnee's unique overhanging upper galleried porch commercial buildings should be in the national treasure category and perhaps they would be if the community were not so remote. Its on my bucket list of places to visit. It's kind of sad to see the lone survivor in photo # 76 of what must have once been an urban residential neighborhood in the Victorian era. The nature photos from 21-25 are very impressive as well. Great set, overall.

Now that I've seen these awesome "Drone-view" photos, "Earthview" images are so vastly inferior. Thanks so much for posting them. How great it would be if someday all aerial views were like these or perhaps you could start your own company and expand your geographical reach. Smaller and more rural towns especially often lack streetviews (or provide very limited boundaries) and the earthviews provide little detail-if you want to see things from above, it doesn't get any better than the photos taken from the drone. (unless you take to the air yourself in a helicopter or hot air balloon)

Thanks for the added Goldsmith example. It's obvious he was pretty fluent in the Greek Revival style. Although there are similarities with the other two examples shared in the four stylized pilasters across the facade the treatment of the details is different and distinctive. 1819 would have been early for the Greek Revival style because homes in the Federal style continued to be built until the 1840's. At points further to the west, like Iowa, Federal style homes continued to be built until the early 1850's along with Greek Revivals gradually transitioning to newer Victorian styles like the Italianate and Gothic Revival. The popularity of "Temple" houses never faded away completely; by the mid-1890's Classicism enjoyed a strong revival lasting well into the early 1900's. Thus again appeared temple form houses superficially similar to the antebellum originals. However, they carried over many late Victorian details inside that the pre-Civil War originals never had as well as newer technology like indoor plumbing, electricity, and modern bathrooms. Instead of being re-branded as "Greek Revival-Revivals", they were labeled as Classical/Colonial Revival style homes. As for the Historic American Buildings Survey, (H.A.B.S.) it originated in 1933 during the Depression era as a federal works program to document outstanding examples of older American architecture. It's now administered by the National Park Service with the Library of Congress as its archival repository. All HABS works are considered to be in the public domain so no violations occurred in your reposting of photos. Given that many of the faded structures documented decades ago have since been demolished or heavily altered, the HABS record is often the only evidence of what they once looked like.

Thanks for sharing the Historic American Buildings Survey (H.A.B.S. archived in the Library of Congress and online accessible) photos of the Mathews House on its original site. Indeed, saving this rare example of Jonathan Goldsmith's work was visionary in 1950 when the destructive forces of Urban Renewal were getting underway and razing homes of this caliber across the country. Almost equally amazing is the survival of the Levi Shepard house, also by Goldsmith, as noted. The Ionic capital pilasters still provide the classic temple look without the need for massive columns. These early Western Reserve Greek Revival mansions blazed the trail for the lavishly grand mansions to come in the second half of the 19th century, especially along Cleveland's fabled Euclid Avenue. I've seen an 1840's panoramic photo (well known) of Cincinnati's waterfront and the hillsides back then were dotted with Greek Revival temple houses. It's my understanding only two antebellum Greek Revivals remain in Cincinnati but they aren't seen in the historic panorama image which means all of those in the photo have since vanished. I was privileged to visit and dine with the owners in one of those two examples a few years ago in the Riverside area near Sedamsville. The few surviving examples of the Antebellum Greek Revival homes in Ohio should be considered in the national treasure category and preserved for future generations as these two have been.

What a phenomenal and formal example of the Greek Revival style; thank you very much for sharing the photos. As Cleveland's Euclid Avenue (which led out towards Buffalo, NY) started developing in the early 1800's late Federal and Greek Revival homes (a few I believe were designed and built by Jonathan Goldsmith) set the tone for what was to become one of the premiere residential areas in the U.S. Over time, these early mansions were razed and replaced mostly by commercial structures then a long period of decline set in so that Euclid eventually lost its fabled residential character. Without examples like this extant Greek Revival mansion, we wouldn't have a frame of reference for the lost Goldsmith designed and built Cleveland mansions. I'm glad this one was saved even if it had to be moved to do so.

Congratulations. Your efforts are now part of the OTR Renaissance and years from now you can point with pride to what was in the past a marginal area but in the future may be some of the most expensive urban residential real estate in Cincinnati. While I had always hoped for a modest revival of the district, I doubt anyone after the 2001 civil unrest could ever imagine how far OTR would come in 15 years. The 3CDC deserves much credit but the individuals who personally invested their time, money, and hard work, made it all happen. I know you will probably keep this as your home for a while but you could probably cash out right now and walk away with a tidy profit. Thanks for saving part of Cincinnati's built heritage.

Incredible, Indeed. It almost makes one want to locate every individual from back in 2001 when after the OTR riots, there was a sizable percentage of Cincinnatians who believed the best way to deal with OTR's problems was to obliterate it. Cooler and wiser minds prevailed with rewards like this wonderful renovation coming back almost daily. Thank heavens at least in OTR smart people saw the potential. It now seems in the future OTR will be synonymous with a prestigious address. (as it already is in some locales) Congratulations on a splendid job; you've made your personal contribution to OTR's renaissance. With the newly installed window caps/cornices the facade looks perfect.

We sometimes hear about folks who know just enough about a given topic to be dangerous. (mostly to themselves) In the Mid-Victorian era from about 1850-1870, it was common to faux grain less expensive woods to look like rich exotic grained mahogany, rosewood, or highly figured burls. The tradesmen who did this artistic work were really good at their work because to an untrained eye the faux wood finish looks like the real thing. Staining with a darker stain was another method of finishing as noted in the Steele Mansion. Rosewood veneers were sometimes used for prominent public areas in a mansion (like the entry and formal parlor) as were other highly figured woods. But supplies of imported Rosewood dwindled by the late 1860's. By the mid-1870's a cottage industry of furnishing millwork primarily in American Black Walnut had developed as well as a domestic mass-produced furniture industry using Walnut and it's burls and veneers. By the mid-1880's the American Walnut forests were becoming depleted so increasingly Oak or Ash were being substituted as less expensive alternatives. By 1890, Oak dominated the American millwork and furniture markets and when finished with Orange flake shellac, it has the classic "Golden Oak" look. Often quarter-sawn, or informally called "Tiger Oak" due to the stripes appearing in the grain, was immensely popular from the mid-1890's going into the early 1900's. Increasingly after 1900 Oak lumber prices continued to increase as supply started declining and this gave rise to so called painted "Cottage furniture" in the teens and twenties with clear finished pieces usually clad in veneers over pine or poplar. Birch was also popular in those years because it easily takes a stain and can imitate other more expensive woods. In summary, it appears careful note was made during the renovation/restoration to replicate original finishes and I accept their findings as accurate. For what its worth, I worked quite a few years restoring antique furniture and have devoted a lot of time to study of the topic. I'm also a preservationist and an old house nut...er, "enthusiast" so that too has long been a topic of interest.