Endangered Watch List

Longwood Manor, Macedonia

2008-09-03T02:47:44Z

The home of first Macedonia Mayor Colonel William Frew Long was constructed in 1924, and is owned by the community of Macedonia. Although great sentiment exists for the property, city officials consider the house to be a "dangerous building," and the Akron Beacon-Journal recently reported (see below) that they are moving ahead with demolition.

Longwood Manor is, according to supporters, the only tangible piece of local history left in the community. Paradoxically, the Longwood Manor Historical Society has been working to secure funding for renovation at the same time that the city was pursuing demolition. City officials claim that restoration would be prohibitively expensive, but supporters question whether or not effort has been made to secure part or all of that funding.

August 17, 2008 - Macedonia historical site could face wrecking ball - Akron Beacon Journal (includes photos)

Longwood Manor Historical Society

Photo: Longwood Manor Historical Society website

Sedamsville River Road Historic District, Cincinnati

2008-09-03T01:49:25Z

At the same time that the Sedamsville River Road Historic District application is pending before the National Park Service for recognition as a National Register Historic District, a developer is proceeding with plans to engage in mass demolition for an 11-story condominium tower. This demolition is set to include the 1892 St. Martin's German Evangelical Church, and as many as 30 historic buildings may be gone and the character of an entire neighborhood lost.

Apparently, the area in question is without any local design review or historic preservation ordinance protection, leaving it a prime target for insensitive, profit-driven eradication. Unfortunately, city leadership, including the Cincinnati City Manager's office, have simply shrugged their shoulders when approached by a local civic association for a possible moratorium on granting demolition permits. Such moratoria are completely legal and enforceable if enacted pursuant to a study of possible local historic district creation.

The Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board voted earlier this month to recommend listing of the district to the Park Service, but threats to demolish have not abated since that vote. In fact, there is fear that demolition will be expedited to beat the NPS designation decision.

May 14, 2008 - City has little say in Sedamsville demolitions - Building Cincinnati
August 22, 2008 - Centerpiece of historic Sedamsville threatened - Building Cincinnati

Sedamsville's Disappearing Historic District - Cincinnati Preservation Association
View of Sedamsville Neighborhood - Windows Live Local

Photo: Sedamsville Neighborhood with St. Martin's Church - Windows Live Local

Keller Building, Sandusky

2008-09-02T20:21:29Z

Its history is storied, but it has served to vex downtown revitalization proponents in Sandusky for decades.

According to a history of the building, part of the present structure includes the former Normal Hall, one of Sandusky's primary theatrical and entertainment venues in the mid-19th century. Norman Hall saw performances by the reknowned opera diva Adelina Patti, lectures by Frederick Douglas and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and possibly even a performance by John Wilkes Booth.

The Keller Building, between Shoreline Drive and West Water Street on the west side of downtown, has not been fully occupied for 30 years, according to the August 12 Sandusky Register story linked to below. In December of last year, the City authorized $75,000 to be spent in mothballing the building, and there is some indication that city officials are moving ahead with plans to advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for building renovation. In the meantime, however, the property remains unused.

August 12, 2008 - Keller Building fans still carry torch - Sandusky Register

History of the Keller Builidng, City of Sandusky website

Historic Buildings of Antioch College, Yellow Springs

2008-05-30T05:14:15Z

The recent decision by Trustees of Antioch College to close that institution has also resulted in the distinct possibility that Antioch's collection of historic buildings may soon face the impact of the shut down of the campus power plant. According to recent quotes obtained by the Yellow Springs News (see article link below), this could take place as soon as July 1, and no information is available as to whether or not the buildings will be properly mothballed to minimize damage.

The campus of Antioch in Yellow Springs includes a handful of buildngs which date as far back as 1853, including Antioch Hall (pictured at left).

Preservation Ohio will closely monitor this situation and report on any developments on this site.

May 29, 2008 - College facilites may be at risk - Yellow Springs News
July 3, 2008 - Shutdown prompts safety concerns - Yellow Springs News

Photo: Antioch Hall - Matias3000/Creative Commons License

Bethany Hall, Lebanon

2008-05-11T16:14:34Z

Bethany Hall on the campus of Otterbein Retirement Living Communities was constructed in the 1840s as the center of Union Village, the largest community of Shakers in Ohio. On May 19, Trustees will consider demolition of the building, in response to what are perceived to be unreasonably high renovation costs. Local preservation organizations, including the Cincinnati Preservation Association, have banded together to advance numerous suggestions on how the building could be used, and the renovation funded.

UPDATE - As of mid-August, Otterbein Communities officials have put a temporary hold on demolition of Bethany Hall, allowing for a study of alternatives by a five-person "historical preservation task force." Bethany Hall will remain on the Endangered Watch List until this study is concluded and a definite direction chosen.

June 2, 2008 - "Don't demolish Shaker buildng" - Dayton Daily News
May 10, 2008 - Groups plead to save 1840s Shaker headquarters - Cincinnati Enquirer (picture above)
August 13, 2008 - Shaker building saved from wrecking ball for history study - Middletown Journal

A Call for Support from the Western Shaker Study Group
Sample Letter to the Otterbein Homes Board of Trustees
History of Union Village and List of Possible Adaptive Reuse Options

Lord Hall and Brown Hall, Campus of The Ohio State University

2008-05-07T23:00:27Z

Despite a recent positive track record in terms of historic preservation, The Ohio State University is proceeding to demolish two century-old campus buildings, Lord Hall and Brown Hall. Instead of being demolished as part of a master plan for new facilities, the two building face the ignominious fate of being lost for parking and green space - citing their own deferred maintenance as the reason. The Ohio State University recently received a Getty Grant to study their historic resources, and the report that issued found that both Lord and Brown were contributing structures to a possible National Register Historic District. Perhaps "time and change" do not always "surely show."

UPDATE - In early August, Preservation Ohio joined with the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, Heritage Ohio and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office in a meeting with OSU officials concerning Lord & Brown Halls, as well as an overview of historic preservation on the OSU Campus. While it appears that the decision to demolish Lord & Brown Halls is not going to be reversed, officials were very receptive to maintaining an ongoing dialogue and discussion concerning historic preservation at Ohio State.

February 25, 2008 - OSU deconstructing two halls - The Lantern (picture above)

Sophronia Brooks Hall Auditorium, Campus of Oberlin College

2008-01-26T02:41:54Z

Hall Auditorium was constructed in 1953 to the plans of architects Harrison and Abramovitz. The building is a significant resource from the Modern Movement, and is one of Northeast Ohio's oldest contemporary buildings. It displays not only an innovative design but wonderfully crafted details, such as its curtain-like undulating marble facade. College leaders are considering long-terms plans that include demolition of this iconic campus landmark. The situation highlights the challenge of recent past preservation.