Here’s a quick read on local historic sites that have recently captured the attention of local preservation groups and civic leaders:

The Springfield Preservation Alliance issued its annual list of “Preservation Priorities” earlier this month, which included five highly endangered sites with substantial local historical significance.  Included this year are houses on Greenmount Avenue to the immediate north of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Westcott House, as well as South High School.

Speaking of endangered sites, a property once highly endangered  in Youngstown is soon to become home to the Historic Center of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.  The building is significant as the home of the “Good Humor Bar,” a well-known 20th century dessert treat.  The Society is nearing the halfway point on fundraising for the $6 million renovation project.

The Chesney-Carlisle House in Bucyrus was recently honored by the Bucyrus Preservation Society with the organization’s fourth annual “ACE” (Architectural Conservation Excellence) Award.  The large Queen Anne house is located down the street from the Crawford County Courthouse, and just three blocks from the former Bucyrus High School -- one of few historic renovation projects being undertaken under the Ohio School Facilities Commission program

The stranger-than-fiction story of the Seneca County Courthouse continues in Tiffin.  After years of discussion, votes, lawsuits and protests, Seneca County Commissioners recently voted to delay demolition, this time to November 10.  In the interim period supporters, and in particular a consortium of development interests represented by preservation consultant Franklin Conaway, are developing concrete development proposals.

There’s a rather intense preserve-or-demolish recent past conversation going on in Toledo these days, focusing on the downtown home of the local United Way, which was constructed in 1969.  The organization has announced plans to replace the building with a new facility, citing ongoing costs of maintenance and the need for a $10 million renovation.  Emphasizing its architectural uniqueness and resulting contribution to downtown Toledo, both the Lucas County Board of Commissioners and Toledo Mayor Finkbeiner have asked the United Way to forego demolition.  Stories can be found here, here and here.

Photos:  South High School, Springfield - Cindy Funk/Creative Commons License; Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum/fair use