Posted September 16, 200519 yr From the 9/15/05 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell talks about the Underground Railroad at a presentation sponsored by the Friends of the Lathrop House. The Lathrop House, which was in the 5300 block of Main Street in Sylvania before being moved, was believed to have been one of the stops along the Underground Railroad. ( THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH ) Blackwell lauds effort to save Lathrop House Official discusses Underground Railroad By CLYDE HUGHES BLADE STAFF WRITER Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell said the Underground Railroad, which many believe ran through Sylvania and Toledo leading African-American slaves to freedom, represented the best of the American spirit and heart. Mr. Blackwell made his comments last night during a presentation sponsored by the Friends of the Lathrop House at Wildwood Metropark. Mr. Blackwell said the Underground Railroad brought people of different races and faiths together to help slaves win their freedom. The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped escaped slaves from the southern United States make their way to free states and Canada. The Lathrop House, which was in the 5300 block of Main Street in Sylvania, is believed to have been one of the stops along the route. He said the house's preservation serves as a reminder of how people can overcome obstacles for an important cause. "Preserving [the Lathrop House] shows the best in American character and what is best about America's future," Mr. Blackwell said. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/NEWS18/509150451
September 16, 200519 yr Blackwell lauds effort to save Lathrop House Official discusses Underground Railroad Blackwell surprises me. I never thought that I would agree with the anti-Christ on something.
January 11, 200619 yr From the 1/5/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: The Lathrop House, reportedly a waystation for escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad, was the center of a dispute between St. Joseph Catholic Church on South Main Street that bought the property in 2001, and members of a group calling itself Friends of the Lathrop House. ( THE BLADE ) Sylvania: Extensive exterior rehabilitation is planned for structure in 2007 By MIKE JONES BLADE STAFF WRITER Although restoration of the Lathrop House in Sylvania won't begin this year, officials of the metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area said a thorough rehabilitation of its exterior is planned in 2007. Because grants will pay for the work, a number of requirements must be met, said Don Rettig, Jr., director of cultural and historical programs for the Metroparks. He will meet this week with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office to be certain that the program is on track to meet all government requirements. The house, reportedly a waystation for escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad, was the center of a dispute between St. Joseph Catholic Church on South Main Street that bought the property in 2001, and members of a group calling itself Friends of the Lathrop House. The church intended to raze the house so its property could be expanded; the citizens' group wanted it preserved and kept on its original site in the 5300 block of South Main Street. After a lengthy and contentious dispute, the house was moved to a site in Harroun Community Park, which abuts the original site. The Metroparks is to refurbish the house and eventually offer programming there about the house's place in history. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS18/601040340/-1/NEWS
January 12, 200619 yr 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
May 3, 200619 yr From the 5/2/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: The white Lathrop House overlooks a ravine that has been cleared to make way for a pond in Sylvania. ( THE BLADE/LORI KING ) (Photo unavailable at time of posting. Please click story link for photo.) Lathrop House ravine alteration brings protests Stunned by the drastic changes to a ravine near the Lathrop House, Sylvania area residents last night asked city officials to find a way to restore the area that is key to the historical project. After listening to several people who are upset by the changes in Harroun Community Park where the house, a stop along the Underground Railroad for slaves, is located, City Council agreed unanimously to refer the matter to council's parks and forestry committee to examine restoration of the ravine. City officials plan to include Friends of Lathrop House; the Toledo Area Metroparks, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in the discussions. In addition, council wants answers about the decision-making process that allowed the work to occur on the ravine and a pond in the park. It is said slaves used the ravine, which runs to the east, as cover while they made their way to the house, then hid in the basement while escaping slavery and traveling to Canada. Some area residents who visited Harroun Community Park yesterday said they were stunned to see a naked ravine. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS18/605020363/-1/NEWS
May 16, 200619 yr From the 5/16/06 Toledo Blade: Sylvania mulls restoration of a ravine in Harroun park Sylvania officials are being asked by City Council to draw up a plan to restore a ravine, described as a key to the Lathrop House project, in Harroun Community Park. Council wants the administration to come up with a plan to restore the ravine to its condition before a retention pond was constructed and to solve any drainage issues. A cost estimate for the work is to be included in the plan. Mayor Craig Stough said that the plan would be presented to council at its next regular meeting June 5. During council's May 1 meeting, several area residents said they were upset by changes in the park where the Lathrop House, a stop along the Underground Railroad for slaves, is located. Some residents said they were stunned to see trees had been removed from the ravine and the retention pond had been built in the park. Sue McHugh, president of Friends of Lathrop House, and others have asked that the city reshape the ravine and plant mature trees. It is said slaves used the ravine as cover while they made their way to the house, then hid in the basement while escaping slavery and traveling to Canada. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060516/NEWS18/605160413/-1/NEWS
June 1, 200619 yr From the 6/1/06 Toledo Blade: Architectural firm chosen to renovate historic house By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER An architectural firm that specializes in historical renovation work has been hired for the Lathrop House project in Sylvania. Hardlines Design Co. of the Columbus area will provide architectural, research, and engineering services as the project gets ready for the bidding process, said Jim Speck, Toledo Area Metroparks' director of planning and construction. The metroparks awarded the $45,000 contract to the firm. Funds for the architectural services are coming from Friends of Lathrop House and a metroparks members grant generated through proceeds from a metroparks' membership campaign, he said. The house, reportedly a waystation for escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad, was the center of a dispute between St. Joseph Catholic Church on South Main Street that bought the property in 2001 and members of Friends of Lathrop House. The church intended to raze the house, but the citizens' group wanted it preserved and kept on its original site in the 5300 block of South Main Street. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/NEIGHBORS01/606010379
June 6, 200619 yr From the 6/6/06 Toledo Blade: Sylvania mulls park ravine restoration Modification costs at Harroun range from $26,000 to $50,000 Estimated costs to modify the retention pond and restore a ravine in Sylvania's Harroun Community Park near the historic Lathrop House range from $26,000 to $50,000, based on alternatives presented last night to city officials. The proposals call for various steps to be taken to address drainage issues and to reshape the ravine. The proposed alternatives were referred to City Council's parks and forestry committee. A committee meeting to discuss the matter was scheduled for 4 p.m. June 21 at Harroun park. The public is invited. Mayor Craig Stough noted there are a variety of prices and options, and he said that no quick decision would be made. Rather, a decision would be made after the matter is reviewed and people have had an opportunity to respond to it. The ravine should be contoured so that the park's trail isn't washed out by storm water, as has happened in the past, the mayor said MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/NEWS18/606060419/-1/RSS09
June 20, 200618 yr From the 6/20/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: Sue McHugh, president of the Friends of Lathrop House, tells Sylvania City Councilman Doug Haynam her concerns about proposals to make repairs near the Lathrop House site. ( THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON ) PHOTO: Velerh Bruno, left, voices her objections to revisions made near the Lathrop House as Jeffrey Ballmer, Sylvania’s director of public service, listens at right. Sylvania City Council’s parks and forestry committee met with the public at the site before deciding last night how it could rectify Lathrop proponents’ concerns. ( THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON ) Sylvania council mulls fixes near Lathrop House Sylvania City Council decided last night to look into hiring an engineering firm to address drainage and other issues near the Lathrop House in Harroun Community Park. An outside firm could help the city figure out how to make repairs to a ravine bulldozed during construction of a retention pond near the Lathrop House. Earlier yesterday, council's parks and forestry committee met at the park along Main Street to review three options for modifying the retention pond and reshaping the ravine. Estimated costs for the alternatives range from $26,000 to $50,000. All three options would essentially reshape the ravine, said Jeffrey Ballmer, the city's director of public service. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/NEWS18/606200422/-1/RSS09
June 29, 200618 yr From the 6/29/06 Toledo Blade: SYLVANIA RENOVATION Metroparks detail plans for Lathrop House Storm clouds stayed outside the meeting room last night as area residents gathered to hear details about renovation plans for the historic Lathrop House, a building that has attracted controversy like lightning to a rod. The house is in Sylvania’s Harroun Community Park along the same ravine system that provided cover for fleeing slaves 150 years ago as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Estimated cost for the restoration project is nearly $1.2 million; of that, about $400,000 has been raised. Phase I exterior work is scheduled for 2007. Don Rettig, Jr., director of cultural and historical programs for the metroparks, said fund-raising is under way for Phase II, which involves restoration of the basement where fugitive slaves entered the house. “It’s good to get this project going on the right track,” said K. LaVerne Redden of Toledo, treasurer of Friends of the Lathrop House, which has been working to raise funds for the project. Ms. Redden said she’s looking forward to showing off the beauty of the Lathrop House when the restoration is completed. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/NEWS18/60629060/-1/RSS09
October 6, 200618 yr From the 10/3/06 Toledo Blade: SYLVANIA CITY COUNCIL Firm hired to design pond, ramp for Lathrop House Sylvania City Council last night hired Feller, Finch & Associates of Maumee to provide engineering design services for the retention pond and Lathrop House ramp in Harroun Community Park. The firm will provide the services at a cost of no more than $11,000, according to the contract approved by council. After the Lathrop House, said to be a station on the Underground Railroad, was relocated to the Sylvania park and a new education building was constructed on the nearby St. Joseph's Church property, a retention pond was created to accommodate runoff and drainage issues. However, residents complained that bulldozers ruined the ravine near the Lathrop House. The ravine reportedly was used to provide cover for slaves escaping to Canada along the Underground Railroad. Others contend that the retention pond has caused flooding in the park during heavy rainfall. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/NEWS18/610030405/-1/RSS09
December 7, 200618 yr From the 11/16/06 Toledo Blade: SYLVANIA Harroun ordinance may need revision Lathrop friends protest wording By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER Sylvania City Council could wind up revising an ordinance related to engineering design services for the retention pond and the Lathrop House ramp in Harroun Community Park. Revisions were requested by Sue McHugh, a Sylvania resident and president of Friends of Lathrop House, who contended that parts of the ordinance are inaccurate and misleading. According to the ordinance that was approved in October, the retention pond was installed to accommodate runoff and drainage issues after the Lathrop House, said to be a station on the Underground Railroad, was moved to the park and after a new education building was constructed on the nearby St. Joseph Catholic Church property. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEIGHBORS05/611150340
April 24, 200718 yr Link contains additional photos. From the 1/31/07 Blade: * PHOTO: Work on the exterior of the Lathrop House is scheduled for this summer. Volunteers glad to start work in Lathrop House Cleanup inside precedes restoration outside By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER As snow swirled outside yesterday, volunteers inside the Lathrop House shook off the cold and warmed to their work. Box after box, they hauled dusty debris — books, curtains, lampshades — from the historic home, marking what Sue McHugh called “the first small step on the road to restoration.” Mrs. McHugh, president of the nonprofit Friends of the Lathrop House, was clearly excited. “This is the first time we are getting in and getting our hands on this project,” she said. “... Finally, after 5½ years, it’s going to be a dazzling year for the Lathrop House.” The historical house was the center of a dispute between St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania, which bought the house’s site in the 5300 block of South Main Street in 2001. The church intended to raze the house, but the Friends citizens’ group wanted it preserved and kept on its original site, which historians believe was a stop along the Underground Railroad for slaves seeking freedom. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/NEWS18/70131006/-1/NEWS
April 24, 200718 yr From the 3/29/07 Blade: Lathrop House site called part of history Sylvania looking to restore ravine By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER Nearly a year after a retention pond was created in Harroun Community Park, the city of Sylvania is still exploring options to address issues, including how to restore a ravine near the Lathrop House in the park. Councilman Keith Haddad has suggested that council explore the creation of a wetlands to replace the retention pond, and he wants the ravine restored so that it looks like it did previously. During council's parks and forestry committee meeting last week, he said he had met with a consultant, hired by the city, to talk about options other than relocating the pond. Following discussions about the pond, the committee approved a motion to allow Feller Finch & Associates of Maumee to complete plans for the creation of wetlands that would replace the pond; to request an opinion from the city law director on legal obligations related to the pond, and to have the parks and forestry committee involved to keep track of what is going on with the situation. After the Lathrop House, said to be a station on the Underground Railroad, was relocated to the Sylvania park and a new education building was constructed on the nearby St. Joseph Catholic Church property, a retention pond was created in the park last spring to accommodate runoff and drainage issues. However, residents complained that bulldozers ruined the ravine near the Lathrop House. The ravine reportedly was used to provide cover to slaves escaping to Canada along the Underground Railroad. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEIGHBORS05/703280352
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