On Thursday, September 27, Preservation Ohio travels to New Philadelphia to visit the endangered Franklin Square Neighborhood, and to meet with members of the Tuscarawas Heritage Home Association.

Last year the community faced a moment of decision when a developer sought rezoning which would allow a Walgreens drug store to be constructed in one of New Philadelphia's oldest neighborhoods. In what the Dover-New Philadelphia Times Reporter would later call one of the ten top local news stories of 2006, the local City Council approved the change, but a successful local drive resulted in the matter being placed on the ballot this November.

The Franklin Square Neighborhood was placed on the List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites in early 2007. To read about the situation in New Philadelphia, to learn about efforts of citizens who believe that economic development should occur in tandem with maintaining community character, and to view photos of some of the affected properties, click here to visit the Franklin Square page on the Ohio’s Most Endangered website.

After the 27th, we will share more news and photos from our trip to Tuscarawas County.

Photo:  House in Franklin Square Neighborhood, New Philadelphia - Used with permission