presOhio

OK, its not exciting, but since you asked...my 12-year old daughter took this photo.

Had no idea that there was a Newport-on-the-Levee thread! Here's an unsolicited out-of-towner's review ... I took my two kids to Cincy last weekend ... their first time in the Queen City ... and we spent much of Saturday at Newport on the Levee. Parking was easy and cheap; the setting is great. We did the Aquarium, then spent a couple of hours at Gameworks and ended with a movie. The place was clean, and by the time we left the movie, the place was quite crowded. There's alot of empty space, of course, which was disappointing to see. We do a trip down to Easton in Columbus about once a month, and I thought that NOTL measured up fairly well in comparison (on a smaller scale, of course). A handful of photographs (with the required shark picture)...

Ugh....thanks for the nomination ... however for a rather grainy shot of the Mount Gilead post office, visit this link: http://www.postmarks.org/pop/0900/0964.htm

"^What does that mean, you are selling off pieces of the houses?" You betcha... we acquired the complete salvage rights for all houses and commercial buildings that will be demolished for the hospital project... so anything that we can remove and sell, we will. And an FYI on the factory complex that is pictured after the caption, "Some more industry. This is near that urban renewal area" -- that complex was recently purchased by a civic-minded local foundation that intends to preserve all of it.

Re: the neighborhood being removed for the hospital project.... While we arrived in the city after that decision had been made, last month we (Preservation Ohio) acquired salvage rights to all of those demolished properties. We are teeming up with the local Interfaith Council and Habitat for Humanity, and a portion of those proceeds will go into our pilot Ohio Heritage Neighborhood Program on South Fountain Avenue. Thomas

That's the "Old, Old Post Office" (as opposed to both the "new" and "old" Post Offices)... which is now home to Bricker & Eckler (law firm). Oh .. and fanstastic pics.

Had occasion recently to be in both Mount Gilead and Mansfield, and decided to take the camera along on both trips. I doubt that any two Ohio county seat towns could be more different than these two … although they both have their own kind of “charm,” I suppose. So..sit right back and enjoy a quick slice of North-Central Ohio. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ MOUNT GILEAD – The county seat of “beautiful” Morrow County. By the way, if anyone wants to hear my Morrow County divorce joke, please let me know. The “hub” of Morrow County – the well-known Monument in the center of town (a gift to the county for having the highest per capita subscription for World War I bonds or some such).... Masonic Temple on the Square On the Square Shots of the Capitol Theater building – This place is a great place to see a movie, by the way. It is tiny, has a painted pressed tin ceiling, has great popcorn, and is usually a buck or two less than “regular” theaters. A couple of standard courthouse pics… Original Mount Gilead Library (its new counterpart is next door; this one is way cuter)... Trimble House – now owned by the Mayor of Mount Gilead Closing with a shot of the Monument.. ___________________________________________________________________________ MANSFIELD - OK .. now on to beautiful downtown Mansfield. First, a stop at Oak Hill Cottage – this is an amazing restored 1847 Gothic Revival house overlooking downtown.. Former Ohio Brass HQ on the north side of downtown, now the Brass Office Center… Shots of the Carrousel District, Mansfield’s award-winning downtown revitalization district (sorry for sounding like the Convention & Visitors Bureau)... The world-famous (OK, North Central Ohio-famous) Coney Island. One of my favs – the Hancock-Dow Building (stone front)… Only a few more… The former Westinghouse factory on the east side of downtown… this is just one of several interlocking structures… Closing with a few shots on the Square… first, the former Reed’s Department Store, now home to a gourmet cooking shop and restaurant (Sweet Basil Eatery). If you're so inclined, the local television cooking show from Sweet Basil can be viewed online! Detail… Ciao!

This afternoon we received a rather odd request in the Preservation Ohio office, and thought that I would pass it along for your input. Apparently the Food Network is doing a special on "Chef Boyardee," who apparently began his culinary career somewhere in Cleveland. A quick Wikipedia search says that Hector Bioardi opened his first restaurant, named Il Giardino d'Italia, in the 1940s. The network (through Al Roker Productions) is looking for archival footage, if possible, as well as the possibility that there are Clevelanders that remember Chef Bioardi or the restaurant. Knowing that this board has a great number of Clevelanders amongst its members, I thought I would send this out for any ideas. Thank!!! Thomas/presOhio

Whaddaya mean, you've never been in the Statehouse? I mean, that's positively un-Buckeye. Its really worth a trip since the complete restoration a few years back. And no, no bribing -- although we did twist a few arms. My group had three meetings, including with the Senate Majority Whip. Actually, I was incredibly amazed that I could walk into the place, go up to the gallery of the House Chamber with 100 other history and revitalization nuts, and have no security check of any kind. You walk into any county courthouse these days and its almost a full-body search.

Yesterday (March 1) was not only Ohio’s birthday, but also the First Annual “Statehood Day” -- ten of the state’s history and preservation organizations came together to spend the day lobbying members of the Ohio General Assembly. In specific, we were pushing a tax check-off that would create a new grant program for local history and preservation groups, the proposed Ohio Rehabilitation Tax Credit, funding for downtown and neighborhood revitalization, etc.. Anyhow -- in the midst of meetings I took a handful of pics of the Statehouse and downtown Columbus … thought I would post them. The day started with breakfast in the Bird Sanctuary of the Ohio Historical Center: Gathering in the Statehouse crypt: Views from the gallery of the Ohio House of Representatives Chamber: Had to get a couple exterior shots of the Statehouse on March 1... And, finally, a few shots from Capitol Square and the Ohio Theatre pavilion:

Wow! Wow! Gorgeous pictures of hard-to-get-to places, full of beauty and heartache. Especially loved the views of Pomeroy ... what a gem.... and the magnificent desolation of Shawnee. presOhio/Thomas

The City Hall in Marion. As for the architecture... no comment. Thomas/presOhio

Galion - home off and on since age 4 Mansfield - first movie, first mall, first kiss, still there at least once a week Springfield - there once a week or more Mount Vernon - probably my favorite haunt outside of the above

Actually, the primary catalyst for revitalization was an entrepreneur who came to town, purchased fifteen buildings in the Uptowne area over a ten-year period, and put his money into building rehab, including upper-floor residential. At the same time, his wife opened what is now the most successful specialty retail store in the county. This building owner/developer is now on the Board of Trustees of Preservation Ohio. It would be almost impossible to overestimate the importance of these individuals to make the difference in a downtown area. I know of similar stories in Marion, Zanesville, Mount Vernon and other places. And you bet, the Olentangy River starts near here and flows right through town, about two blocks north of Public Square. Like all Galion kids, I used to spend time throwing rocks into the "creek" on my way home from school. presOhio

OK, I gotta say this, even though the dirty deed is done. Moving the Lathrop house turned it into a caricature. I know that preserving a property on site is not always easy, and that many structures can be moved and have more than a shred of dignity. And, to be sure, keeping a building in its context is not always possible. But above all things, Underground Railroad houses were a function of their geography and setting. After this move, the nice part of me simply says "shame on you." Then there's the other side. And -- by the way, there are dozens of Underground Railroad-related properties all over the state that are literally rotting away. More often than not, they are not located in large communities where they can attract investment from someone wanting to turn a profit. Instead, they are along county roads, in fields, etc.. I wonder what it says about us as a people when we build shiny, "comfortable" museums to tell that story, while we leave the real thing to rot. 'Nuf said. Thomas/PresOhio

Hey, everybody... I really appreciate the input. It leads me to believe that we are tackling the first of its kind in Ohio -- but to me, that is an exciting consideration. The local neighborhood association is in the beginning stages of creating the SID -- once it is in place, I will let you know. Thanks again! Thomas/presOhio

Nope -- CDCs and SIDs are not the same animal... A Special Improvement District is a quasi-governmental entity that is established under the Ohio Revised Code, and can propose a plan(s) for public services to a municipal government. The municipality then does a special tax assessment on all of the affected property owners to pay for that plan. This is how, for instance, downtown programs are funded in Lancaster and Bowling Green. The Downtown Dayton Partnership's main source of funding is their Downtown Special Improvement District (http://downtowndayton.org/ddp/sid/whatsasid.html). My gut feeling is that there are no neighborhood SIDs in Ohio, but we are looking to see if it has a real benefit for local neighborhood organizations -- or even CDCs. Thomas/PresOhio

Hey, hope everyone had a swell Christmas. I have a quick question for those involved in neighborhood/urban development issues... Preservation Ohio is currently working with a non-profit to establish a residential neighborhood-based SID (special improvement district) in a medium-sized Ohio community. SIDs are self-taxing districts that are run by non-profit corporations with trustees coming from affected property owners, and have the general authority to undertake any public improvement work that a municipality can do. SIDs have been in place in center-city commercial areas for a decade or more -- Downtown Dayton had the first, I believe -- and now they are everywhere, from the Short North in Columbus and Coventry Village in Cleveland to downtowns as small as Bowling Green and Lancaster. That said, though, I am unaware of a SID in place which involves only residential property. We may be dealing with the first one of its kind in Ohio. This non-profit neighborhood association has all sorts of ideas about what it wants to accomplish -- ranging from traditional public works projects such as traffic calming, tree planting and neighborhood patrols, to ideas as creative as providing bricks-and-mortar funding for actual rehab projects and an aggressive receivership program. We are also exploring a Rehabarama in this neighborhood for 2007, and this mechanism could provide partial funding. There is also a strong drive to bring in experts with a New Urbanism bent to lead the neighborhood on an exploration of possibilities. My question is whether anyone on this fine forum is aware of a comparable, neighborhood-based Ohio SID. Thanks a million for any leads. Thomas/presOhio

Oh, my Gawd --- kudos on some of the most visually stunning and atmospheric photos I have seen in quite a while -- and to think that this is in Ohio. Cincy always stuns me. Thomas/PresOhio

I figured I should add a Winter shot from beautiful North-Central Ohio. This is Richland Carrousel Park in Downtown Mansfield, taken just minutes before my daughter and I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia this past Friday evening. Happy Holidays! Thomas/PresOhio

After stints at both OSU and Bowling Green, a couple of wild years in France and a couple of years working for American Express, I finished my B.A. in History from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. I received my J.D. in 1992 from THE Ohio State University College of Law. I consider myself a fan of both the Runnin' Utes and the Buckeyes, which works -- unless they are playing each other. Have been practicing law since '92 (I'll get it right one of these days), and became Preservation Ohio's first-ever Executive Director in 2002. I still do both.

Ya know, I just gotta say this. I visited the new Barnes & Noble at Gateway on opening day, and yuck. Yeah, I knew that the charm of Long's would probably be gone, but I have been in college bookstores all over the US that are great places to browse, shop, etc.. That B&N is antiseptic, poorly-designed and depressing. Its a sad day when OSU is solidly trumped by the likes of Kenyon College.

My Gawd, those pics are incredible -- they really capture the spirit of the place. Even though I've only been there twice, I am a huge Cincy fan. One question -- is that interior from the Omni Netherlands?

Yes, Galion does have its spiffy side, however just like every other small rural Ohio town, much of it is tired and, well, not-so-pretty. Interesting thing, though -- depresssed economies are typically good environments for historic architecture -- as development interests, of course, tend to exploit and destroy those resources which give a community its character. I guess its just in my nature to try and highlight the "good parts." As one of my good friends E-mailed me this evening, "Beware when giving a digital camera to an architectural history junkie."

An Evening Walk Through Galion (Part One) Galion, Ohio. Population 11,500. Primarily in Crawford County, but now also sneaking into both Richland and Morrow Counties. Galion was settled by German Lutherans starting in the 1820s. The city was a center for railroads, road-making machinery and the telecommunications industry. The latter brought many inventors and entrepreneurs to town; Alexander Graham Bell tested the telephone hear in the late 1870s, hiring local schoolchildren to run wires across Public Square from his room at the Central Hotel (still standing, picture in this thread), and then the modern switchboard -- and the dial tone -- were invented and perfected here. It was also the home of Bishop William Montgomery Brown, the first Episcopal/Anglican Bishop deposed since the Middle Ages -- his home and study survive intact. Between 1920 and 1970, it was a dynamic place, headquarters of thriving industries employing over 5,000; by 1990, only 500 or so employees remained from these companies. In 1997, Galion became one of Ohio’s first three “Main Street” communities, and has a historic preservation ordinance which protects approximately 150 buildings. I took an evening stroll through town….this is Part One; Part Two will come soon. Galion Public Library. Built in 1901 with funds from Andrew Carnegie. Southwest corner of Galion’s Public Square. To the right, the Central Hotel, the oldest part of which dates to 1851; to the left is the Hackedorn Building, location of an independent drug store from 1859 to the present day. The Central Hotel was vacant from 1980 to 2003, and literally had crumbling walls and gaping holes in its roof; it was saved at the very last moment and will open next month as a new senior residential complex. Central Hotel. Southeast corner of Public Square. Harding Way East, first block east of the Square. The Galion Theater, built in 1949, home of the last surviving original porcelain enameled-front, all-neon marquee in Ohio. Recently renovated to house the local community theater. The Galion Theater this evening. US Post Office. The “Professional Building,” one of Galion’s original hospitals. The next few shots are of the Big Four Depot, owned by the City of Galion and currently under restoration. The first shot explains its significance. The Henry D. Lee House, one block from Public Square. This is the only home ever lived in by Henry and Emma Lee. Henry got his start in the business world as a clerk at the Central Hotel, later owned an oil company which was purchased by John D. Rockefeller, and after he moved to Kansas, founded the Lee Jean Company. Henry and Emma were only married a few months, and neither remarried during their lifetimes. Emma stayed in Galion; when she died in the 1920s, it was discovered that she had hoarded massive quantities of clothes, furnishings, etc., so that only small pathways were left in each room (different house than the one pictured). The massive auction was covered by the New York Times. Galion’s Odd Fellows Building, soon to be restored/renovated into condominiums and ground-floor retail. A bit of “the future” -- these signs are sitting next to the intersection of the new US30 and State Route 598, just north of Galion, waiting to be installed. The new stretch of US30 between Mansfield and Bucyrus opens next month. It’s safe to say that it will change things around here -- for better or worse remains to be determined. Sigining off with another shot of the Galion Theater...