Friday, April 7, 2023

First United Methodist Church - London, Ohio
















 The First United Methodist Church in London, Ohio. Constructed 1893-1894, and at the time of its dedication on November 18, 1894, it had cost $45,000 to build. This church remains in use to the present day. Designed by the architectural firm of Crapsey and Brown, and built by the Cincinnati contracting firm of A.A. Fletcher & Company. The church was built in a combination of the Gothic/High Victorian Gothic and Jacobean Revival architectural styles. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 1996. GPS: 39.88742°N, -83.44942°W.

Reuben L. Partridge House - Marysville, Ohio










 Reuben L. Partridge House in Marysville, Ohio. He designed and built this house for his wife in 1896; sadly he passed away four years later. Reuben Partridge was born September 10, 1823, in Wilmington, New York. Prior to 1836, his family moved from New York to Franklin County, Ohio. When Reuben was 13 years old, his father died then his mother moved them to Marysville. Reuben attended school for a short time, then spent over 8 years building carriages with his family. After that, he became interested in bridge building. Partridge later, worked to design a new truss and brace system for covered bridges to support additional stresses including vehicle traffic. In 1855, he built the first self-supporting bridge in Union County. On June 11, 1872, he received a patent for a new U-shaped truss bridge design, the "Partridge Truss". 1882, Partridge was responsible for having built 90% of the bridges in Union County, and by 1883 had built over 125 in total. Over the course of his life, Partridge built over 200 bridges across Union County and central Ohio. There are 4 remaining covered bridges in the region that he built. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on February 22, 2021. GPS: 40.23367°N, -83.37026°W.

Below are three of the bridges he built and are still in use today.


Culbertson Covered Bridge - Milford Center, Ohio


Spain Creek Covered Bridge - North Lewisburg, Ohio


Bergstresser Covered Bridge - Canal Winchester, Ohio

Dr. David W. Henderson House - Marysville, Ohio









 Dr. David W. Henderson house in Marysville, Ohio, built in 1884. The house is an intact and significant example of the Late Victorian Italiante style in Marysville and Union County. This style was among the most popular 1800s century architectural styles in Ohio. The architect or builder is unknown. For twenty years prior to the recent renovation, this home withstood vandals, neglect, and all of the elements of a vacant home. In June 1998, Barry and Susan Cordell purchased the home and began the 16 month exterior and interior renovation of this rectangular, two and a half story, 11 room home with approximately 4,000 square feet. During the history research, the Cordells found a photo of the home from the early 1900s, which revealed all the missing detail of the porch railings and the roof overhangs. This picture was used as a model for the restoration. All details were precisely duplicated. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on April 19, 2001. GPS: 40.23639°N, -83.36368°W.

Friday, March 31, 2023

Logan County Courthouse - Bellefontaine, Ohio






















Logan County Courthouse is a historic building located in downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio. Built in 1870-1871, constructed of cut stone at a cost of $105,398.08. The courthouse is adjacent to Court Avenue, the first concrete street in the United States. Architect-Alexander Koehler. Architectural Style-Second Empire. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 1973. GPS: 40.36075°N, -83.75941°W.