Preservation Priorities

These sites have been recognized as irreplaceable community assets that represent our rich history and provide our community with its unique sense of place and identity. This third annual list recognizes buildings and sites that are significant architecturally, illustrate an element of our social and cultural history, or contribute significantly to the course of local, state, or national history. Being declared a preservation priority does not guarantee action, or even protection, but is designed to increase awareness and understanding of each site’s importance. It is our sincere hope that some of these properties may one day join the ranks of recent preservation success stories like the Westcott House, Heritage Center, and Pennsylvania House.
 

In 1911, the building’s first graduating class numbered ninety-five. Since that time, tens of thousands have called this striking building their "Alma Mater", and until 1960, it represented the place in this community to which all children united as one student body. The building has long been appreciated as a community treasure by Springfielders, but also by many who have visited Springfield to see our wonderful architecture. Its current vacancy is a threat to its preservation and ultimate reuse. This beautiful building and grounds must be preserved as it is a vital part of Springfield’s identity.
 

Due to a lack of funding, Snyder Park has been falling into a state of disrepair. The park that contributed so significantly to the development of the community needs our help. It is our hope that this designation will galvanize the support of our citizens and help restore this historic cultural landscape.
 

Greenmount Cemetery was once Springfield’s principle burial ground, replacing Demint Cemetery on Columbia Street in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1844, the president of the Springfield City Council recognized the need for a large community cemetery. He bought the deed for the current cemetery land and presented it to the mayor for approval. With the mayor’s consent, Greenmount Cemetery became Springfield’s official burial ground. Greenmount has some of the few soldiers of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 buried on its grounds. Most notably, the drummer boy named Merrifield “Little Daddy” Vicory was laid to rest in the cemetery and remains there today. Around the turn of the twentieth century, Greenmount Cemetery was running out of space. After the development of Ferncliff Cemetery, Greenmount Cemetery as began to fall out of favor. Many of the bodies and markers were removed to Ferncliff and the remaining plots and monuments fell into disrepair. Vandalism and theft has further desecrated this once honored landscape.

Greenmount Avenue is a historic side street that dates back to some of the earliest plans of the city. In 1852, it was called West Cross Street and later, as the eastern edge of the city, was called East County Line Road. Early in its history, the street was home to the cemetery’s caretaker. From the 1860s to the 1890s, the Dyson family, who lived at the corner of East National Road and Greenmount Avenue, began designing and constructing houses along the street. The carpentry shop where they fabricated most of their designs sat directly behind the Greenmount Avenue houses. The Springfield Preservation Alliance believes that the houses along Greenmount Avenue and the historic cemetery across the street form the context for the Westcott House and are a vital part of its amazing story.

The Springfield Preservation Alliance commends the Westcott House Foundation for their remarkable work restoring this American treasure. We look forward to having an open dialogue with their organization, City Hall, and the citizens of Springfield regarding the best steps forward for the surrounding neighborhood.

Although the architect is still unknown, this house is most notable for its unique form. It is an Arts and Crafts Bungalow with a Japanese style roof. It is the sole example of a residence in this community with such as overt examples of Japanese influences. Much of the house retains it original features, although it has went through serious neglect over the past decade. If no action is taken in the near future, Charles and Vinnie’s Bauer unique home will be threatened by demolition.
 

This house on South Yellow Springs Street is believed to be the same house that Mother Stewart called home during her most active years in the temperance movement. The community called the home “Apple Tree Place.” More research is needed to uncover this house’s history. If Mother Stewart’s original house is behind this stone veneer, this building is potentially eligible for National Landmark status.
 

Phineas P. Mast House (2007)
901 West High Street

The Phineas P. Mast is arguably the crown jewel in Springfield’s Victorian architecture.  It was built in 1882 by the wealthy industrialist.  At the time, Springfield led the world in the manufacturing of agricultural implements, and Mast was one of the key figures in the industry.  The mansion was Mast’s third home on West High Street.  Mast had located there and created the Citizens Street Railway Company in a failed attempt to develop the west end neighborhood and to encourage other wealthy entrepreneurs to locate there.  The house’s size, location, building materials and interior architectural features make it a truly unique home.  As recently as this year interior architectural elements have been removed, after nearly one and one quarter century, harming the integrity of the home.

UPDATE: After a letter writing campaign urging the return of the original parlor mantel and chandler, the then owners of the Mast House returned the items to the property. The house has subsequently been sold to The Turner Foundation. While no definitive plans have been released, the Foundation is committed to seeing the Mast House preserved.
 

Birthplace of Lillian Gish (2007)
621 Linden Avenue

This home is a simple gabled ell, and although it is not especially architecturally interesting, it is the birthplace of the world’s first movie star – Lillian Gish.  Gish was born in the house in 1893, and baptized across the street in the Second Lutheran Church.  Lillian played along Linden Ave. as a child and was known to neighbors as “Little Miss Pretzel” due to her knack for securing free pretzels at the local café.  The family moved away when Lillian was quite young.  She met the famed director D.W. Griffith in 1912.  She made 37 films with him in the next three years, including the infamous Birth of a Nation.  She would go on to star on the stage, in film and in television until well into her eighties.  She died in 1993 in New York City at the age of 99.

UPDATE: As part of the 2007 Lillian Gish Film Festival, the Preservation Alliance held a Gish Sisters Walking Tour. We have also met with the homeowner and are urging her to declare the property a Springfield Landmark.
 

Demint Cemetery (2007)
Columbia Street

Also known as The Old Columbia Street Cemetery, this cemetery is not only located in the center of town, but is a center of early Springfield history.  Laid out in the original city plat in March 1801, it remains today a symbol of our growth and history.  While there is no headstone, it is commonly believed that Springfield founding father James Demint is buried here. Over time, this cemetery has remained, and though it is no longer being utilized it continues to be a visible link to our past.  The proposed growth and redevelopment of our downtown, including the new hospital, can peacefully coexist with this site.  It is a beautiful and sad reminder of Springfield.
 

Folrath-Harbaugh House (2007)
321 South Yellow Springs

This outstanding example of a Gothic Revival  cottage was built from 1865 to 1867.  Not only is it a great example of the style, but there are only few remaining of this style in Springfield. Gothic Revival swept the country in the mid 19^th century.  Also, the bulk of our historic architecture in Springfield dates from the 1870’s, making these among the earliest and thus increasing their importance.  Finally, they are located on what was once a fashionable thoroughfare in Springfield, but in more recent years, South Yellow Springs Street has been plagued with housing demolition.

UPDATE: Board member Kevin Rose and Sam Brougher, a local sixth grader at Roosevelt Middle School, have begun doing research on the Gothic Revival Houses along South Yellow Springs Street. The Preservation Alliance also offered a new walking tour of the district in July.
 

Craftsman Duplex (2007)
9-11 West Clark Street

This Craftsman duplex was built circa 1915.  It is in the Craftsman style, which became popular in the US in 1905.  This home is an excellent example of the style, for not only does it display the traditional aspects of a Craftsman home, but it also boasts some rare variations.  It was built as a double, the hipped, truncated roof is found in only 10% of this style, and the rear overhang adds a Swiss influence.  The side streets of our grand promenades, such as South Fountain Avenue, were developed at a later date and feature more modest dwellings.  While they are not as opulent they provide a historical context to the mansions and tell the stories of average people whose history has long been forgotten.  It is the last remaining structure on the south side of W. Clark Street, and is in danger of living in a sea of asphalt.
 

Charles A. Cregar House (2006)
483 Park Place

Prominent Springfield architect Charles A. Cregar, designer of Kelly’s Arcade (1883) and the City Building and Market (1890 – now the Heritage Center), built this Queen Anne house for his family around 1892. Cregar’s offices remained at the Mitchell Block, which he designed for Ross Mitchell in 1882 (now razed). While living at 483 Park Place, Cregar would design many of his famous works, including St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, Third Presbyterian Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Charles died at the house of congestion of the brain in 1896; he was only 38 years old. This house is the only proven residential design by Springfield’s most notable architect that still stands and exhibits many brick and stone features characteristic of his architectural style.

UPDATE: The Springfield Preservation Alliance has plans to list the Charles A. Cregar House on the Springfield Register of Historic Landmarks. We are currently working with Wittenberg University (owners) and City of Springfield to promote this historic house as a vital community resource and architectural gem.
 

Lincoln Theater (2006)
614 South Center Street

In 1920s Springfield, Center Street was the heart of the local African-American Community. The Center Street YMCA served as the recreational and social center of the black community for decades. Black owned businesses thrived to serve the needs of those excluded by segregation from white Springfield establishments. The Lincoln Theater is one of the few remaining buildings that represent the period when Center Street thrived as the commercial and cultural hub of the local African-American Community. Oates Barber Shop occupies the north part of the building and for decades has been a social center of the African-American male community.

 

Regent Theater (2006)
117 South Limestone Street

C. Howard Crane, also the architect of the Detroit Orchestra Hall, designed the Regent Theater which opened on August 16, 1920.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Regent is described as a light neo-classical or Adam style, which is evident by the decorative details on the façade, and the proscenium, balcony and mezzanine decorations of the interior.  The Regent was built as a legitimate theater, but was later adapted to show moving pictures.  Springfield’s famed booking agent, Gus Sun, utilized the Regent for his various productions and vaudeville acts.  Sun’s booking agency, which was located on the second floor of the theater, was nationally known, and he is credited with giving many young acts, including the likes of Bob Hope, their start in the business.

UPDATE: The Regent Theatre has recently been acquired by the new Regent Entertainment Group, a community group with positive aspirations for this historic building. Read the Springfield News-Sun article "Group to Consider Encore Performance for Historic Building"
 

Memorial Hall (2006)
300 West Main Street

Prolific Ohio architect Frank Packard designed Springfield’s Memorial Hall in 1916.  A tax for Clark County residents paid for the $262,000 building, which would serve practically as an auditorium and symbolically to commemorate the soldiers, sailors, marines and pioneers of the county.  Following a classic Greek style, Memorial Hall features Ionic columns, lintels decorated with Greek sculptural ornament, and a pediment bearing a stone eagle and “Clark County Memorial” inscription.  Memorial Hall closed in 1985, but for nearly 70 years it served as the center of cultural life in Springfield and as a tribute to our heroic military veterans and pioneer forebears.

UPDATE: The Springfield Preservation Alliance is working with the owners of Memorial Hall to obtain a feasibility study for the structure's reuse.
 

Washburn-Winters House (2006)
819 South Fountain Avenue

This house, a simple Queen Anne, was once owned by W.H. Stackhouse, a wealthy industrialist who was part owner and general manager of the Bettendorf Metal Wheel Company and later general manager of American Seeding and Machine.  Stackhouse served as president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, director in the United States Chamber of Commerce, and then advisor to Presidents Warren G. Harding and Herbert Hoover.  Built circa 1890, this house has been shorn of most of its original architectural detailing.  The house has been vacant since 1988 and is in danger of demolition.