It’s a strange story coming from Streetsboro, one that could either have a happy or surreal, tragic ending.

Ohio.com is reporting that the Portage County community is facing the possible loss of the 180-year old John Curtis Singletary House, a classic Western Reserve structure dating from 1828, whose ornately carved front doorway is emblazoned on the city’s seal.  After suffering the ignominious fate of being moved twice to make way for “progress” – once in the early 1970s for a chain restaurant, and the last time two years ago for a Wal-Mart -- the house actually continues to sit on a semi trailer, never have reached its intended destination.

The Streetsboro Heritage Foundation believes that it can rescue the house and place it on a new foundation for $51,600, and has raised some $10,600 for that purpose.  Unless the additional amount is obtained by the onset of Winter, however, there is some indication that the property will be lost.  And, to add insult to injury, there is talk of having the local fire department burn the structure down on purpose.

According to this June story from TheGatewayNews.com, the goal of the Foundation is to turn the house into a local history museum.  The story lists a contact number for information and tax-deductible donations.

Ironically, the grave of John Singletary itself sits broken in Streetsboro Cemetery, a place often frequented by vandals.

Photo: From The Ohio Guide, Federal Writers' Project/Public Domain