Ohio’s second oldest town is the state’s “can’t miss” destination this weekend, when the new Lisbon Landmark Foundation hosts its first “History/Mystery Tour.”

On Saturday, June 30 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., participants will not only be transported via horse-drawn carriages and wagons on a tour of Lisbon’s outstanding collection of period homes and buildings, but will also hear and see the past -- including a reenactment of the marriage of President William McKinley’s grandparents, whose home is still located on the west side of town. If desired, a personally guided walking tour experience is also available. The Train Station and Stone House Museums will also be open.

The entire event will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of a remarkable community. Not only did McKinley have strong family connections to Lisbon, but the city also boasts buildings associated with two very different national Civil War political figures – the boyhood home of Clement Vallandingham, who was a leading voice in the anti-war Copperhead movement, and the law office of Edwin Stanton, who served as President Lincoln’s Secretary of War from 1862 through 1865.

Take our advice – the trip to Lisbon is worthwhile on any occasion, but is an absolute must-see this weekend for lovers of Ohio history. For more information on the History/Mystery Tour, click here.

Photo: Downtown Lisbon -- photo by Dustin M. Ramsey

There is simply no way to put a good “spin” on yesterday’s news from Tiffin. As today’s Toledo Blade declares… “It hit No. 1 on Preservation Ohio's list of most endangered historic sites, and the Seneca County Courthouse is living up to that ranking. County commissioners voted 2-1 yesterday to move forward with razing the shuttered 1884 courthouse in downtown Tiffin by having a consultant put together bid specifications for demolition contractors.”

Yes, this is an architecturally significant structure that deserved a better fate, but consider what else was at stake in this decision. Not only will this be this the first 19th century Ohio county courthouse lost in a generation, but it also sets a terrible precedent by ignoring the impact that demolition will have on the revitalization of a downtown and community. Loss of the courthouse will serve as a powerful disincentive for investment in a center city full of period commercial buildings – at the precise time when reinvestment is critical to guarantee their long-term survival. Because it is what makes a community unique that also makes it marketable, the resulting decline of downtown Tiffin will have a negative impact on economic development for decades to come.

Photo: Seneca County Courthouse, Tiffin/Preservation Ohio File Photo

In a short break from Ohio-specific preservation news and views, we share with you the recent announcement by the World Monuments Fund of their 2008 “100 Most Endangered Historic Sites” – otherwise known as the World Monuments Watch. As with Preservation Ohio’s List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites and the National Trust’s list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places – the latter of which was recently announced – the purpose of the World Monuments Fund list is to draw public attention to the fate of significant historic resources in jeopardy.

The online home of the new world list is breathtaking in its coverage and presentation. Clicking on each location opens a menu with photos of the site and general information.

While not the home of an identified threatened resource, Ohio is affected by – but perhaps not included in -- one listing. The icon roughly over Colorado corresponds with a listing for “Main Street Modern,” which refers to post World War II public buildings across the country that were designed in the “Modern idiom.” Among Ohio examples of public buildings that might be included in that category are collegiate buildings constructed in the 1950s through 1970s – and perhaps the Ohio Historical Center, a Brutalist landmark of Columbus. It would certainly include the main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, which was the “…first post-war main library building in the U.S.” when it was built in 1955 to the design of Woodie Garber. In Ohio, at least, these two structures, and many others, are facing a new generation in good condition and without threats to their future.  Non-public buildings, however, such as the Marcel Breuer Cleveland Trust Tower, are not faring as well.

Take a few moments to take a trip around a world of endangered history by clicking here.

Photo: Main Branch, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County -- Rob Ireton/Creative Commons License

The news from Champaign County these days is pretty close to miraculous.

Two years ago, the future of the Douglas Inn on Monument Square appeared less than bleak. The building sat vacant, and the property’s owners, the local Community Improvement Corporation, had filed a request with the City of Urbana Design Review Board to demolish the Douglas and replace it with a modern replica. In the succeeding months, the property engendered strong public debate, served as a key focus of a successful mayoral recall election, and ultimately was the subject of litigation involving both public and private interests.

Based on the historic integrity of the Douglas and the significance of this landmark property to the revitalization of the entire district, Downtown Urbana was placed on the 2005 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites – the first time an entire downtown area had been so listed.

In December, media from Ohio to Washington, D.C. – including the National Trust’s Preservation Online -- reported on the dismissal of pending litigation and the announcement of renovation plans. Yesterday, the Urbana Daily Citizen reported that the Douglas will finally transfer from the CIC to Miami Scioto Holdings, Inc. this coming Monday.

It’s an extraordinary story of the tenacity of individuals with both vision and determination. Preservation Ohio salutes our friends in Urbana, and looks forward to the day when the Douglas reopens its doors. Kudos!

Photo: Monument Square, Urbana; Douglas Inn on right

The recent decision of the City of Cleveland Planning Commission to decline the Cuyahoga County Commissioners’ plans to demolish and replace the Cleveland Trust Tower apparently hit a nerve.

The Associated Press story on the vote was covered by papers across Eastern Ohio, and profiled the reaction of one commissioner who railed against the idea that an appointed body could deny the will of elected officials. On the other hand, the head of the commission expressed the opinion that “…We don’t get it in Cleveland…in downtown Chicago, they would never tear this down.”

Without a doubt, one by-product of this controversy has been a city-wide, regional and even national discussion concerning the place of landmarks post-World War II architecture, in terms of aesthetics, preservation, and practical reuse considerations. This conversation made it to the front pages of the New York Times on Monday, with a feature article entitled, "New Focus on a Forlorn Cleveland Tower."

In the end, however, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners may well be able to proceed with their plans (actually two of them, as Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones opposes demolition). As this recent story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer points out, Cleveland’s city charter may allow them to veto the Planning Commission’s ruling.  Interestingly, this would mean that two officials elected by a county-wide vote -- only a minority of which were Clevelanders -- can ignore the planning process in that city.

The Cleveland Trust Tower is included on the 2007 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.

Photo: Cleveland Trust Rotunda and Tower - Used with permission

Preservation Ohio has launched the new Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Resource Center, a one-stop location for information on the newest financial incentive for renovation and restoration of historic buildings in Ohio.

Included in the Resource Center are links to all types of information concerning the tax credit, including the legislation itself, administrative rules, and overviews of how the credit operates. Also included are links to other states’ historic tax credit programs and information on other financial incentives for historic preservation. The site will be continually updated.

To access the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Resource Center, click here or visit the Preservation Ohio website at www.preservationohio.org and click on “Tax Credit Resource Center.”

IMPORTANT UPDATE (June 18): The Ohio Department of Development has issued the official Application and Instructions for the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit.  Visit the Resource Center for more information.

Several communities across Ohio are analyzing their downtown’s health this Summer. These include:

In Celina, city, chamber and business association officials recently conducted an analysis of downtown buildings, complied usage and potential statistics, and also conducted interviews of property owners and downtown visitors. The study recommends specific steps to create a comprehensive revitalization strategy, according to this local news coverage.

In Chillicothe, $50,000 was spent on the creation of a downtown revitalization report from national consultant Hyatt Palma. The plan, recently unveiled to the public and presented to City Council, specified nine specific “catalysts” to trigger economic vitality and growth – including aggressive action to preserve the fire-gutted Carlisle Block and attention to the city’s design review ordinance.  Click here and here for local coverage.

A recent article in the Columbus Dispatch profiled the doggedly optimistic attitude of downtown Delaware merchants as they weather a downturn in sales and activity. Positive signs were noted, including stores planning 2007 openings and the continued health of downtown eateries.

Retained consultants are examining ways to “reinvent” the Main Street and Rossville areas of downtown Hamilton in Butler County. Part of the process includes extensive surveying of residents, business/property owners and local governmental leaders, according to this story in the Hamilton Journal-News.

Photo: Carlisle Block, downtown Chillicothe - Seth Gaines/Creative Commons License

It was a place where seeing baseball legends was commonplace. Babe Ruth hit his 500th home run over the right field wall of League Park, home of the Cleveland Indians between 1910 and 1947. Replaced by Cleveland Municipal Stadium, most of League Park was demolished in the early 1950s. In a nod to the past and the future, however, the remaining sections, including the original ticket office and a section of the brick exterior wall, will be restored and included in a new home for – of all things – baseball!

The City of Cleveland has announced plans to transform the area into a venue for high school and Little League baseball games. According to this coverage in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the design will place home plate at its exact original location.

The Indians won the World Series at League Park in 1920. Perhaps returning baseball to that setting will be a good omen for the Tribe, who presently sit atop the American League Central Division – 2 ½ games in front of the Detroit Tigers. Tiger Stadium, one of the oldest parks in Major League Baseball, is due to be demolished shortly by short-sighted city leaders in Detroit.

Photo: League Park, Cleveland - Public Domain