Preservation Ohio, the state’s original statewide historic preservation organization, has announced the official List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites for 2023.
Thirty years ago, Ohio’s statewide preservation organization had an idea. Why not highlight the most at-risk properties in the state to showcase both the precarious condition of many significant historic resources while also promoting them as opportunities for reinvestment? Originally, the List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites was issued every other year; approximately 20 years ago the change was made to an annual listing.
While it is certain that some listings have been lost in the last 30 years, the List has played a vital role in safeguarding a future for important pieces of Ohio’s past. These include, among many others, the John T. Wilson house in Adams County; the Westcott House (Frank Lloyd Wright’s only Prairie style commission in the state); the Historic Unionville Tavern on the Lake/Ashtabula County border; and the Athenaeum in downtown Columbus.
This year, Preservation Ohio again received a large number of nominations for this important list, which confirms both that much of our state’s historic properties remain at risk and that interest in preservation is growing across the state of Ohio. Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites is unique in that it highlights historic buildings and sites submitted from local citizens and advocates, each hoping to bring attention and to identify ways to give important historic properties a future. Out of the many properties nominated this year, Preservation Ohio’s board was tasked with choosing the most at risk. Twelve properties representing all areas of Ohio are included in this years edition.
Preservation Ohio accepts nominations from any citizen or organization. Since its inception in 1993, being named to the list has contributed to saving examples of Ohio’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage. Circumstances that contribute to the endangered status and result in sites being named to the list typically include one or more of the following factors: demolition threat, abandonment, neglectful owner, deterioration, obsolete use, lack of funding for repairs, location or development.
Preservation Ohio is Ohio’s oldest and original statewide historic preservation organization, an independent, non-profit organization recognized under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Preservation Ohio was established in 1982 to enhance the understanding of and appreciation for Ohio’s historic resources and to serve as a focal point for Ohio organizations, municipalities, corporations and individuals who care about these resources and are concerned about preservation for future generations. For more information and updates, visit its website at www.preserveohio.com, follow them on Twitter @PreservationOH, or like them on Facebook. Preservation Ohio is celebrating its 41st Anniversary this May.
Additional information is available by contacting Thomas Palmer, Executive Director, at: [email protected].
More information on each listing is available here.
HENDERSON HOUSE – COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN COUNTY
ERIE STREET CEMETERY – CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA COUNTY
IOOF BUILDING/OLD MIAMI COUNTY COURTHOUSE – TROY, MIAMI COUNTY
THE MOORE HOUSE – CIRCLEVILLE, PICKAWAY COUNTY
GREENTREE TAVERN – LEBANON, WARREN COUNTY
NORTHEAST CORNER OF PUBLIC SQUARE – MOUNT VERNON, KNOX COUNTY
AMAZING GRACE COTTAGE – CADIZ, HARRISON COUNTY
HESSLER COURT AND HESSLER ROAD HISTORIC DISTRICT – CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA COUNTY
OHMER GARAGE – DAYTON, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
DWIGHT L. BARNES SCHOOL – KETTERING, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
THE HISTORIC RESOURCES OF PARK AVENUE WEST – MANSFIELD, RICHLAND COUNTY
B.F. GOODRICH SMOKESTACKS AND POWERHOUSE – AKRON, SUMMIT COUNTY
Photo: IOOF Building/Old Miami County Courthouse, Troy
