MAY IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH

Recent Ohio Additions to the National Register of Historic Places

CINCINNATI

• HAMILTON COUNTY

➊ ST. MARK CHURCH AND RECTORY

3500 Montgomery Rd.

Cincinnati’s growing Catholic population at the turn of the 20th century necessitated a new Roman Catholic church, leading the diocese to commission St. Mark’s, the only Ohio church known to have been designed by Chicago-based architect Henry John Schlacks (1867–1938). Founder of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, Schlacks designed churches throughout the Midwest and was instrumental in the master plan for Cincinnati’s Xavier University. As models, the diocese chose two Italian Renaissance churches for Schlacks to base St. Mark’s on, both in Rome: the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and Santa Maria in Cosmedin. (Intrigued? Google both to see the similarities.) The design influences are evident in the plan, massing and details of St. Mark’s, including the tan brick, portico, campanile, terra cotta roof tiles, stained-glass windows and interior plaster and marblework. Construction of the church began in 1914, and the rectory was finished and dedicated in 1950.

CINCINNATI • HAMILTON COUNTY

➋ WINTON TERRACE HISTORIC DISTRICT

4848, 4802–5070 and 4803–5089 Winneste Ave., 402–512 Kings Run Dr., 4703–4861 Este Ave., 1–293 Craft St., 3–59 Kings Run Ct. and 3–110 Topridge Pl.

Added to the National Register for its local historical and architectural significance, Winton Terrace was built in 1940 and 1941 by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority. A district of 93 uniform buildings, it was planned to house families and was funded through the Public Works Administration. Winton Terrace was Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority’s first foray into designing housing complexes rather than high-rises and drastically lowered the cost of construction, allowing for more affordable rents. The Colonial Revival-style buildings have matching materials and features, including red brick exteriors, brick quoins, varying gabled and hipped roofs and cast stone entrance ornamentation. Frederick W. Garber, who designed the complex, was then chief architect of Allied Architects for Cincinnati Housing, a group of architects, engineers and landscape architects who advised Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority in the design and development of housing.

COLUMBUS • FRANKLIN COUNTY

➌ BEATTY-MOORE HOUSE

41 N. Monroe Ave.

Located in the King-Lincoln/ Bronzeville neighborhood of Columbus, the Beatty-Moore House is locally significant in the areas of ethnic heritage and civil rights for its association with Otto Beatty Sr. (1909–1991), his wife, Myrna Beatty (1911–2004), and her mother, Mayme Williams Moore (1894–1978)—business, social and civil rights leaders in Columbus during the mid-20th century. The Beattys bought the house, built in 1903, in 1943. An entrepreneur, Otto Beatty Sr. owned a restaurant, hotel and newspaper, the Ohio Sentinel, catering to the local African American community. The Beatty-Moore family used their large home to host notables in the African American community and support many social, educational and civil rights causes. Mayme Moore died in 1978, and Otto Beatty Sr. died in 1991. Myrna Beatty sold 41 N. Monroe in 1994.

COLUMBUS • FRANKLIN COUNTY

➍ COLUMBUS CENTER

100 E. Broad St.

This 25-story International Style office building has been added to the National Register for its local significance as a catalytic project redefining the downtown Columbus skyline and reflecting the city’s shift in architectural and commercial values during the 1960s. Built between 1963 and 1965, it’s an example of the work of renowned New York City architects Harrison & Abramovitz and was the first large-scale project in downtown Columbus associated with developer John W. Galbreath, a notable real estate developer, and his primary partner, Peter B. Ruffin. Turner Construction Company, also based in New York City, served as general contractor. Columbus architects Granzow, Guss & Harder designed the first-floor banking hall. Upon its completion, Columbus Center served as headquarters for City National Bank & Trust Co., later Bank One and Chase Bank, with additional floors housing speculative office space. The 24th floor featured Stouffer’s Top of the Center restaurant.

COLUMBUS • FRANKLIN COUNTY ➎ VINCENT WALTERS HOUSE–WALTERS MUSIC

ACADEMY

225 N. Monroe Ave.

Vincent Walters (1916–1980) established the Walters Music Academy in his home, where he gave piano lessons and music theory and appreciation classes to several hundred neighborhood students over 37 years. Many of his former students, now in their 60s, 70s and 80s, fondly remember the Walters house as a second home. Walters graduated from Central High School in Columbus, attended The Ohio State University and finished his education at Virginia State University. In addition to the impact he had on his students and their families, he was active as a member and officer of the Merry Makers Club, an African American men’s club that raised money for college scholarships; Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity; and local sports and social clubs, among them tennis and bridge clubs that included a number of local Black leaders. He produced musical events, concerts and theatrical performances in churches, clubs and other venues throughout the African American community and at other area venues such as Valley Dale Ballroom. Walters lived in this house with his mother, Bertha, from 1950 until he died in 1980, operating his music academy there during that entire time.

LOGAN • HOCKING COUNTY

➏ RILEY SPECIALTY SHOE CO. 14 Gallagher Ave.

This substantial 1914 building represents the whole history of one of Logan’s most important 20th-century industries, shoemaking. Although Logan had a well-established industrial base by the early 20th century, civic leaders made a concerted effort to attract a shoe manufacturer. They succeeded in 1913, when the Board of Trade secured the Riley Specialty Shoe Co. for Logan after, according to the Logan Daily News, “a strenuous struggle with Columbus, Lancaster, and other cities.” Riley made children’s shoes here and the building continued in use by successive shoemakers including McGovern Shoe Co. (1920–1927), Bringardner Shoe Co. (1927–1931), Cincinnati Shoe Co. (1931–1932) and H.C. Godman Shoe Co. (1932–1962). Under the Godman name, it was the home of Logan’s largest industrial employer, with nearly 400 employees. One of only two Columbus-based shoe manufacturers to survive into the 1950s, H.C. Godman ceased all operations in 1962. After shoemaking ended, a variety of other industries occupied this building, including Coffman Stair Co. and Bent Bolt Co. Today it houses the Columbus Washboard Co.

MINERAL RIDGE • TRUMBULL COUNTY

➐ DUNLAP-BURNETT-MOSS HOUSE

1499 Burnett St. (Twp. Hwy. 158)

Ohio’s position as the gateway to the West resulted in a variety of settlers who brought distinctive building techniques and stylistic preferences with them. The Dunlap-Burnett-Moss House was built in 1830 and reflects the influence of Pennsylvania-German migration into the Mahoning Valley in the first decades of the 19th century. Well-preserved, it’s been added to the National Register for its local architectural significance as an example of a Germaninfluenced bank house, a house built into a hillside that capitalizes on its sloped site to protect it from winter cold and summer heat and make full use of the lower level. The saltbox shape and decorative brickwork at the cornice are characteristic of this distinctive building type associated with Pennsylvania-German Ohioans.

ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH TRUDA Chillicothe’s Adena Mansion & Gardens

Join me as I visit the sites in the Ohio History Connection network! This road trip took me to Adena Mansion & Gardens in Chillicothe.

Whether you’re an Ohio history buff, an architecture fan or just love to explore beautiful homes, you’ll find something to love at Adena Mansion & Gardens.

The estate was the home of Thomas and Eleanor Swearingen Worthington, and the 1807 mansion is one of just three remaining houses designed by “America’s first architect,” Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Thomas Worthington, who’s considered the father of Ohio statehood, served as governor, U.S. senator and state representative in the early 19th century. The couple raised their 10 children on the estate and entertained many important figures from American history there. I would highly recommend making a day of visiting Adena Mansion & Gardens by adding in a trip to Chillicothe to explore its vibrant downtown. And if you’re feeling really ambitious, you could include visits to Logan Elm (an Ohio History Connection site) and Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (run by the National Park Service). Logan Elm is a peaceful place to learn about Chief Logan and relations between American Indians and settlers during the 18th century. (See page 46.) Hopewell Culture is a spectacular example of American Indian mound-building and part of Ohio’s first UNESCO World Heritage site nomination.

Address: Adena Mansion & Gardens is located at 847 Adena Rd. in Chillicothe.

How much time: If you just want to go on the tour of the mansion and explore the excellent museum, I would allow two hours. However, if you plan to walk to the outbuildings on the property, I would plan to spend three hours at the site. Adena offers a self-guided audio tour of the grounds. Just use your smartphone to scan the QR codes around the property and you can access more information about the estate. There’s a lot to see, so give yourself plenty of time. And definitely wear comfortable shoes!

My favorites: I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Adena Mansion. Our guide was Mary, a retired history teacher who really knew her stuff and was passionate about Ohio and Adena Mansion. Thanks to the foresight of some of Thomas Worthington’s descendants, much of the furniture in the mansion is original to the house. You really get a feel for what life was like when Thomas and Eleanor were living and working there.

Truda’s Tips: Start your day at Adena Mansion & Gardens by parking at the Education Center. You can use the restrooms, get your Ohio History Connection passport stamped, explore the museum, poke around the gift shop and get signed up for the next tour of the mansion. Mansion tours leave every hour on the half hour.

The mansion is a short, easy walk from the Education Center. Also, keep in mind that you aren’t allowed to take photographs inside the mansion. However, there are a lot of beautiful photo ops outside, so you can definitely capture some images of your day.

Adena Mansion & Gardens is open through Oct. 28. Check the site’s website at adenamansion.com or call 800.319.7248 for days and hours of operation.

Don’t Miss: Great Seal Overlook is not to be missed! You can definitely walk there from the mansion, but you can also drive there and park in the pull-off area on the side of the road, which is what we did. You’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous view of Mount Logan, which inspired the design of Ohio’s official state seal. Be sure to read the marker there. I was very amused to learn the circumstances of the idea for the state seal!

I would be sure to make time to explore the museum in the Education Center. It has some great interactive exhibits that give you an insight into the Worthington family, as well as their times. You can also see an amazing collection of objects, like a tomahawk that Tecumseh gifted to Thomas Worthington. And there’s a huge diorama of the estate that gave me a good overview of the layout. I love a good diorama!

Lunch: No road trip is complete without some local food! Chillicothe offers everything from fast food to fine dining. We decided to go ‘old school’ and have lunch at a Chillicothe mainstay, Sumburger, located at 20 Executive Center Dr. And when you’re at Sumburger, you have to order the Sumburger platter, which includes a burger, fries and coleslaw. The burgers were great—juicy, cheesy and slathered in secret Sumburger sauce. The restaurant is very familyand budget-friendly with a large menu and helpful staff.

Another great meal option would be to park in downtown Chillicothe and eat at one of the many restaurants located in this very walkable city. We got coffee at Paper City Coffee and took a leisurely stroll. I definitely plan to go back to Chillicothe when I have more time to explore. There are a ton of cute shops and historic buildings to see.

The Chillicothe Business District, roughly bounded by Water, 4th, Walnut and Hickory streets, and Chillicothe’s Old Residential District, roughly bounded by 4th, South Mulberry, South Walnut and 7th streets, are both listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

There are also covered picnic tables located at the Education Center at Adena, which would be perfect if you wanted to bring your own lunch.

Ohio History Connection members enjoy free regular admission to Adena Mansion & Gardens. To learn more about Adena Mansion & Gardens, you can visit ohiohistory.org/adena or adenamansion.com

Learn more about visiting Chillicothe at visitchillicotheohio.com

—Truda Shinker is the Ohio History Connection’s department manager for membership

If you really love an Ohio History Connection site near your home, consider becoming a volunteer! Call the site or email volunteer@ohiohistory.org to get started.

OHIO STORIES Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) was a significant inventor from the United States.

Edison was born on Feb. 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. As a child, he lived in Milan and Port Huron, Michigan. He received only three months of formal schooling.

In his late teens, Edison became a railroad newsboy and eventually a telegraph operator. While working in these positions, he began to invent items. He received his first patent— for an electric vote recorder—in 1869. That same year, Edison moved to New York City, where he found employment as the general manager of a stock-ticker company. At the same time, Edison helped establish Pope, Edison & Co., a firm that invented products using electricity. Edison sold his share of the firm in 1870, and he used the profits to open a manufacturing company. This firm’s principal goal was to create new inventions. During this period, among Edison’s successful creations were a carbon transmitter, which greatly improved the telephone, and quadruplex telegraphy.

In 1876, Edison moved his firm to

Menlo Park, New Jersey. It was at Menlo Park where Edison made his most famous inventions. In 1877, the inventor demonstrated his phonograph for the first time. Two years later, he unveiled the incandescent light bulb. This second discovery led Edison to create elaborate generation plants for electricity, helping make electricity available to many people’s homes. In 1887, Edison moved his laboratory to West Orange, New Jersey, where he invented the kinetoscope, the precursor to the film projector, in 1891. During World War I, Edison helped develop new weapons for the United States military. He remained active in science and continued to invent products for the remainder of his life. By the time of his death on Oct. 18, 1931, Edison had received more than 1,000 patents.

Inventions Changed Lives

Edison’s inventions forever changed people’s lives. Electric lights allowed people to remain active at night, making possible activities such as reading, sewing or listening to Edison’s phonograph. Previously, with only candles or fireplaces to light homes, most people simply went to sleep once nightfall arrived. Factories also began to use electricity and electric lights. Now factories could remain open 24 hours a day, and soon the workday became divided into three eight-hour shifts. His improvements to the telegraph and telephone also helped make communication easier around the entire world.

This biography is from Ohio History Central, our online encyclopedia of Ohio history. Discover many more stories of Ohio history at ohiohistorycentral.org

Learn more about visiting the Edison Birthplace Museum in Milan, Ohio, at tomedison.org

Memberships make terrific retirement gifts, since many people have “travel more” on their wish lists!

Ohio History Connection