Preservationist still hopes to save historic bank building

By John Shiflet

The Village of Cadiz is fortunate to be located in a region of the country where great 19th- and early 20th-century architecture was a mainstay.

For a number of years, occasional mention in the press has been made about the faded but important early 20th-century National Bank building. It is located directly across from the county courthouse’s front steps because when it was completed, the bank building was as much a symbol of civic pride as our iconic courthouse in Cadiz.

The building was also considered modern and high style as it was architect designed in the early 20th-century Beaux Artsstyle. This popular early 20th-century style was usually reserved for important public buildings and institutions. The classical-inspired designs characteristic of that style were taught at the Ecole Des Beaux Artsin Paris where some of America’s most influential architects received their training in the 19th century.

There’s another example of the Beaux-Arts style on the campus of Washington & Jef-

Capture the Canvas features students’ art

The MWCD has partnered with Conotton Valley High School and Starlight School in a promotion that encourages residents to get outdoors and explore the trails at MWCD parks. With materials given by MWCD, Conotton Valley students painted canvases that will be on display on MWCD trails throughout Atwood Lake Park. Canvases created by Starlight students will be displayed at Tappan Lake Park.

Guests are encouraged to try and find all five canvases at each of the MWCD parks (Atwood, Charles Mill, Pleasant Hill, Seneca and Tappan) and can have a maximum of three entries. First prize is $1,000 cash sponsored by Encino Energy, second prize is a weekend stay at the deluxe log cabin at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, and third prize is a oneday boat rental from a MWCD-operated marina.

“We are extremely excited to collaborate with local school districts to encourage people to explore our trails and experience nature at one of our parks,” said Ryan McCleaster, MWCD chief of recreation. “These students are so talented, so to also have an opportunity to display their artwork in such a unique way is an honor.”

The artwork will be on display, and the contest will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. To enter, visit one of the MWCD park locations and search for the canvas on the trail. Once found, take a “selfie”, or have someone take your photograph. The photo must include yourself, along with the canvas in the background to prove you found the canvas.

Visit www.mwcd. org/capturethecanvas to enter your information, upload your photo, for contest rules and trail maps. Must be 18 years of age to participate.

OSU offers vegetable production walk-through

Join the Jefferson and Harrison Master Gardener volunteers and The Ohio State University Extension on Tuesday, June 13, 1-4 p.m., for a Vegetable Production Walk at It’s All Good Farm, 101 E. Tanner St. in Smithfield.

Topics covered include general management for vegetable production and integrated pest-management strategies for crops, including pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, beets, carrots, flowers and more. Considerations for growing produce in high tunnels will also be discussed.

Registration for the Vegetable Production Walk is $15 per person, and there is no cost to active and intern Master Gardener volunteers. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required by Monday, June 12, at 5 p.m. Make checks out to OSU Extension and mail registrations to: OSU Extension Jefferson County, Jefferson and Harrison Master Gardener Volunteers, 500 Market St., Suite 512, Steubenville, OH 43952 or pay online at go.osu.edu/jeffersonextensionpayment.

Questions about this event? Call 740-264-2212 or email lyon.194@osu.

ferson College in Washington, Pa.. Early 1900’ postcards taken of downtown Cadiz proudly featured the bank building in its heyday. During the time since Cadiz became my home in 2020, I have witnessed this once proud building declining and languishing in disrepair while I considered its eventual fate.

Recent articles informed us that current plans are to soon demolish this once beautiful building. A consultant I spoke with said that the old bank building and our courthouse were the two most beautiful buildings in downtown Cadiz.

The announcement of the buildings pending demise prompted me to do what preservationists often do-try to seek out alternatives to demolition. I’m to meet with personnel involved in the demolition-decision process and determine if any workable alternatives could be feasible.

Where some see an “eyesore” and worthless ruin, I see 3,600 sq. feet of modern Class A office space on three edu. Dress for the weather the day of the event.

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu.

If you require accommodations to attend this event, call 740-264- floors. A modest proposal solution would be to demolish the badly deteriorated interior, bolster the interior walls with added poured reinforced concrete, tie the new concrete walls to the beautiful facade front with anchor bolts drilled and epoxied into the Indiana limestone front. A new interior floor plan could then be configured by an architect with steel trusses across the inside and engineered wood beams supporting the new floors. An elevator and staircase would provide access while the back of the building could be designed and configured for disability access and parking.

Best of all, the refurbished

By Susan Adams

The George and Annie Chaney home, store and photography studio in the town of Tappan, circa 1930s, can be seen in a postcard from Anne McGuire Studner.

Information from the book “The Hundred Years of Tappan” by Jon Baker states, “George Chaney built up a successful practice as a dentist. He also operated a store and worked as a jeweler. His store sold stationery, newspapers, musical instruments, sheet music, picture frames and numerous items for home and personal use. He also sold candy, peanuts, patent medicine and Edison phonographs and for a time he had the post office.

“His wife Annie Chaney operated Tappan’s only photography studio. Her studio was between their house and store. A correspondent for the News Democrat wrote that Mrs. Chaney’s photos graced the walls and photo albums of almost every house in town building would look the same as it has been for well over a century and would preserve our village skyline, reminding us of the historical significance of the buildings around the Courthouse Square. Instead of taxpayer money being spent to destroy the building, following refurbishment, the building would generate office space revenue and remain an asset on the tax rolls paying back to the village and county. Ohio also has an up to 25% tax credit for approved historic commercial building projects.

There’s something emotionally reassuring about our beautiful downtown keeping its timeless look. Had there been a plan in place to replace the lost buildings with something new and visually compatible with what was there, arguments to save existing historical details would carry less weight. Perhaps the worst outcome would be a generic chain retail outlet built in place of the bank building that is architecturally and visually incompatible with the old buildings remaining on that block.

“A modest proposal solution would be to demolish the badly deteriorated interior, bolster the interior walls with added poured reinforced concrete, and tie the new concrete walls to the beautiful facade front with anchor bolts drilled and epoxied into the Indiana limestone front.”

Anyone who shares my feelings towards saving the old bank building front or facade is welcomed to share their thoughts and ideas at email: vintrest@yahoo.com or call 740-320-4084.

Successful entrepreneur remembered

the surrounding countryside. It was said that she was a skilled artist.”

On Aug. 13 at 2 p.m., the Deersville Community Theater will host the program “The Dam Days - The Building of