Yesterday, Preservation Ohio added the campus of Antioch College in Yellow Springs to our Endangered Watch List.

As reported this week in the Yellow Springs News, there appears to be a distinct possibility that the power plant to the campus will be shut down as early as this summer.  This move comes as college operations have concluded following a May 8 vote of Trustees to reject the latest offer of those working to keep Antioch open.  At the present time, there has been no indication if steps are planned to properly mothball the campus buildings so as to prevent deterioration and damage.

The campus of Antioch includes the venerable Antioch Hall, whose twin towers (shown here) were standing when noted educator and first Antioch president Horace Mann spoke on the college’s first day of operation in 1853.

Preservation Ohio will be monitoring the situation at Antioch and reporting on the Endangered Watch List (click here to access).

Photo: Antioch Hall/GNU License

Almost everyone actively involved in the establishment of local historic preservation or design review ordinances has had opportunity to become engaged in a discussion of “property rights.”  When that phrase is mentioned, it typically refers to the idea that historic district legislation, like any land use or zoning regulations, affects the ability of an owner to use his or her property.  Sometimes, however, it also carries the additional erroneous connotation that such limitations are somehow inherently “wrong.”

A positive approach on property rights is evident in the work of a task force in Columbus’ inside-suburb Upper Arlington, where the city has undertaken consideration of a new historic preservation ordinance.  Prompted by public outcry after recent demolitions and incompatible infill (sometimes referred to nationally as “McMansions”), Upper Arlington city leaders took the positive step of convening a working group composed of City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and community members, with that group set to make recommendations back to the full Council.

In its initial meeting, the minutes of which can be accessed here, the group considered and agreed on three basic principles, the first of which was that “[historic preservation legislation restricts, limits, and in some cases prohibits what property owners can do to their buildings. It is a restriction or limitation on private property rights.”  The group also agreed that courts have routinely upheld such legislation if properly drafted and operated.

In considering the relationship between local historic preservation legislation and property rights, particularly the modern so-called “property rights movement,” one could look to an excellent overview available online by noted preservation economist Donovan Rypkema.  In a presentation entitled “Property Rights and Public Values” made to the Community Planning Association of Southeast Idaho (click here to access), Rypkema points out the long history of planning in the context of community development in America, dating back to the original days of settlement.  Instead of being “un-American,” he points out that from the time of the Pilgrims to the present, this type of land use regulation has always been a key part of the American experience, as it combines a recognition of public good with that of individual gain.  It is, in fact, quintessentially “American.”

The bottom line is that Rypkema’s talk is a great read, and it is a must-read for those working locally for enactment of local preservation legislation.

Photo: Upper Arlington streetscene - JulieHicks75/Creative Commons License

As we begin a series of changes and improvements to MyHometownOhio, our first step is to add two RSS feeds from two great blogs – one which has been around for a bit, and one brand new.

For some time we have been trying to bring you a feed from Building Cincinnati, which sets out to celebrate “…the Queen City’s built environment in words and pictures.” Kevin LeMaster always has something interesting and informative to share – he was the blogger, for instance, who broke the news about the lawsuit by several developers against the State of Ohio concerning the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. We are proud to be on Building Cincinnati’s blogroll, and have been wanting to include Kevin’s site for sometime… but for some reason, the link will not “hold.” Our wonderful blog host (a great service, by the way) is just as perplexed as us on why that one feed will not work.. but we have solved the problem by adding Building Cincinnati via widget.

The other RSS feed is from a brand-new blog by someone well-known to the historic preservation community. When you talk about the interface between historic preservation and economic development, the name of Donovan Rypkema often comes to mind. In fact, Don wrote “the” book on the subjects – The Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leader’s Guide, which is apparently currently out of stock at Amazon.com (no surprise there, as it’s a popular resource guide). Don has just unveiled a new blog, which he writes and publishes out of his Place Economics website – and we have started to carry that feed via widget as well.

Both of these new widget feeds are located in the left column of MyHometownOhio.

It is great to see the preservation activity and discussion taking place in Northwest Ohio. Toledo, in fact, has emerged as one of the true leaders among Ohio’s metropolitan areas in terms of local preservation efforts.

Many of the success stories – and the stories of those who have been valiantly trying to make a difference for historic resources – were celebrated at the recent Excellence in Preservation Awards, hosted by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Northwest Ohio. According to this story in the Toledo Blade, honorees included:

A bronze plaque to Tom and Al Wagener, who restored the Buttergilt factory building in Maumee.

A bronze plaque to owners of the Macy’s Warehouse Building in Downtown Toledo, converted into 27 condominium units.

Certificates were awarded to the following:

• Historic Church of St. Patrick in Toledo
• The Martin & Wood Appraisal Group
• Long-time local preservation activist Paul R. Sullivan, Jr.
• Tony Packo’s (which opened a new location in downtown Toledo)
• The 20 North Gallery

Also receiving certificates were the Save Our Courthouse Committee and the Toledo Blade, both in honor of their long campaign to preserve the Seneca County Courthouse in Tiffin.

For photo documentation of the renovation and restoration of the Historic Church of St. Patrick, including its new steeple, click here.

Photo: Downtown Toledo - fusionpanda/Creative Commons License

After 266 consecutive articles about preservation, revitalization or heritage tourism in Ohio, we’re going to break the rules just once and take a quick peek at a handful of recent stories and sites concerning preservation across the US and the world. Not suprisingly, however, each of these stories and sites talks about opporutnities and challenges that mirror those right here at home.

You would think that if any historic resource was “safe,” surely that list would include the glories of Ancient Rome. The 300-mile long Appian Way in Italy, however, is being threatened by the construction of pleasure villas along its path and in the midst of a regional park. Ineffective and ignored governmental regulation has exacerbated the problem.

Bordentown, New Jersey has recently rejected amendments to local land use ordinances that would allow for additional residential units to be built in its historic downtown area, citing the need to maintain the historic character of the community. As a result, the community is seen to be “enabling sprawl."

Just to the north, the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan has been successful in using older downtown commercial buildings as incubator locations for entrepreneurs to start new businesses. It should be noted that two weeks ago, local officials announced that the community had been chosen for a dramatic expansion for a life sciences company; out of 3,300 new employees, at least 400 will be located downtown.

It is well-known that buildings that are occupied tend to enjoy longer life-spans that unoccupied structures. Imagine, then, trying to preserve an actual ghost town – Discover Magazine profiles efforts to safeguard the future of the past in Brodie, California, which it calls “The Most Famous Ghost Town in America.”

He’s outspoken and somewhat controversial, but James Kunstler is someone who regularly speaks his mind on issues surrounding smart growth, the quality of architecture and other urban issues. His new “Kunstlerkast,” available via I-Tunes, allows his to expound verbally on his theories; a recent episode featured the numerous surface parking lots in downtown Columbus. That podcast, as well as Kunstler’s always-humorous “Eyesore of the Month” (think the Remuddling backpage of Old House Journal but for commercial and public buildings) is available here.

Preservation Online reports that the site of the primary supply depot for Colonial troops during the Revolutionary War in Fishkill, New York is slated to become home to – a strip mall. A local organization is working hard to preserve 8 acres of the site – out of an original 70.

Photo: Appian Way - hankword/Creative Commons License

It is not uncommon when communities consider adopting local preservation ordinances or a given building is scheduled for demolition, for a discussion to emerge about whether a given building or area is sufficiently “historic,” and therefore worthy of protection. Various measures are used in that process, among them National Register of Historic Places criteria, which set out an objective framework for that conversation.

Consider, however, the following qualifications of a currently at-risk building, just added to the Preservation Ohio Endangered Watch List:

When built in 1844-1846 it was the largest dwelling in all of Ohio – and over one million bricks were used in its construction. The building is the only large residential house left in the state that was built by and for use of the Shakers, the Protestant communal denomination. It was the centerpiece of Union Village, the largest Shaker settlement west of the Alleghenies, and remains one of very few buildings that survive from that community.

The building in question is now known as “Bethany Hall,” but was originally known as the “Center House.” Surely the brief history referred to above strongly suggests that the building deserves serious preservation consideration – however the opposite may be the case, as the property’s owners, Otterbein Homes, Inc., is considering possible demolition of Bethany Hall. The building is located on their residential campus, which is located near Lebanon in Warren County.  The building is not in unsound condition, however Otterbein is indicating that it would be prohibitively expensive to renovate for assisted living use.

The Western Shaker Study Group has launched an effort to encourage Trustees of the organization to take a “time out” to consider alternatives to demolition. A call for support from the Study Group, as well as a sample letter to the Board of Trustees and other material can be found on the Bethany Hall section of the Endangered Watch List, which can be found here.  Please take a moment and add your voice to those advocating for this important piece of Ohio history.

Photo: Bethany Hall (Center Hall), Lebanon - Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio’s remarkable network of canals in the early 19th fueled development of the state’s interior cities. Places like Delphos on the Miami and Erie Canal, Milan on the Milan Canal and Akron on the Ohio and Erie Canal enjoyed many of the advantages of serving as a port on Lake Erie.

One of the features of canal operation and life was the towpath, defined by Wikipedia as “….a road or track that runs alongside the banks of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge.” Because they ran alongside canalways, towpaths were usually flat, and therefore in those places where canal beds remain intact, towpaths provide outstanding opportunities for modern trail use.

Such is the case with the Ohio and Erie Canal towpath, particularly the stretch between Cleveland and Akron. According to this interesting recent story in GreenCityBlueLake, a remarkable effort is underway to create a fully functional path, even in the midst of some intimidating post-canal obstacles – including metal barricades and train tracks. As the saying goes -- when there is a will, there apparently is a way.

According to the website of the Ohio Canal Corridor, the towpath along the Ohio & Erie Canal will eventually run some 110 miles, from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, and several additional man-made hurdles exist along the trail’s path. Funding is being sought to make this plan a reality; over $50 million has already been raised and spent on the project, creating 70 miles of towpath trail.

Photo:  Canal towpath -- Joe Hatfield/Creative Commons License

Preservation Ohio has announced the 2008 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites, the state’s official listing of historic properties in peril. This list is compiled from submitted nominations, as well as extensive research and review. Each site represents the story of a significant piece of Ohio history that faces an uncertain future.

As the first list was published in 1993, this marks the 15th Anniversary year for Ohio’s Most Endangered. This year marks the first time that properties have been retained on the list that still face an imminent threat.

Each property below will be featured on the Most Endangered website, with one page activated each day. The first page, for the Seneca County Courthouse in Tiffin, is now accessible.

The 2008 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites includes the following:

• Seneca County Courthouse – Tiffin, Seneca County
• Arcade Buildings – Dayton, Montgomery County
• Greenhills Historic District – Greenhills, Hamilton County
• White-Haines Building – Columbus, Franklin County
• Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood – Cincinnati, Hamilton County
• Shawnee Historic District – Shawnee, Perry County
• 1917 Galion High School Building -- Galion, Crawford County
• 1868 School House – Burton, Geauga County
• Mehrum-Lindley Block – Hamilton, Butler County
• South High School – Springfield, Clark County
• Edgerton Town Hall – Edgerton, Williams County
• Warren G. Harding High School – Warren, Trumbull County
• Deardurff House – Franklinton/Columbus, Franklin County
  

The new site includes a revised Endangered Watch List and the new Ohio's Most Endangered Interactive Map.  To access the new 2008 Most Endangered website, click here.