In today's "throw away" society, maintaining our culture and heritage not just for ourselves, but for future generations to know and experience is becoming ever more challenging. Everyday more and more of our pioneering forefather's efforts of long ago are disappearing to make room for "progress." There is no doubt that current needs of a community must be met when it comes to economic and social growth and development for the residents to improve standards of living, but also retaining our heritage is just as important, if not vital for our progress to build upon.
On the local level, The Hancock Historical Museum and the Historic Preservation Guild actively promotes education and preservation in the Findlay and Hancock County area. One such program is the Historical Homes Tour.
The Tour this year featured five homes and one downtown business location. Chosen for there rich history, the building that currently houses Corporate Research International, located at 129 East Crawford Street, was originally built as a wholesale grocery warehouse by David Kirk in 1905. The building featured a number of innovations that were incorporated into the new warehouse. One in particular was called the "lightning package transit chute," which was capable of moving products from the fourth floor to the ground floor to speedily move the merchandise quickly and efficiently throughout the facility. The cost of construction was estimated at $30,000 to $40,000. Additionally, prior to construction, a new railroad spur had to be built to the site while the home that occupied the lot was moved to 845 Washington Avenue where it remains today.
The homes featured on the tour included the Tudor Revival home built by D. Earl Child, the president of Hancock Brick and Tile Company. Construction of the home began in 1930 and was finished in 1938. On the grounds could be found flower, vegetable and rock gardens. Also the outside area featured a large outdoor fireplace and two lily ponds. The gardens had originally extended from its location at 2200 South Main Street west to the quarry. This "landmark home" was later owned by John Donnell who maintained to the homes grandeur and enclosed the south porch and lived there for more than thirty years.
One other home on the tour is located at 219 East Lima Avenue and was built in 1873 by George Fitzgibbons, a local businessman. Over the years, the modest one and one-half story home has seen a number of changes. The front door had been moved from the center of the home and a "modern" front porch had been added. In 1995, the current owners, John and Jane Alberti, of whom Jane is the great granddaughter of Margaretha Roth, purchased the home in 1903, and rebuilt the front porch. To mimic its original style, had the porch rebuilt to reflect the original design.
Surprisingly, Jane had found some old bric-a-brac under the porch that was painted the same shade of yellow that the current home's siding is colored.
There were more beautiful homes included in this year's tour and in previous tours that one can visit or view by participating in the annual Historic Homes Tour.
Additionally, the Hancock Historical Museum on West Sandusky Street in Findlay houses a treasure trove of artifacts and information for everyone to experience. Many programs are provided for the benefit of the public and the hours of operation are very convenient. The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the many periods, from the settlement of Fort Findlay and the participation in the Civil War, the "Oil Boom" era of explosive growth of industry in the area. Locally produced examples of products from glass to automobiles produced right here can be found at the Museum.
A great opportunity to take the whole family or the entire class to go back in time is right here and waiting for you at the Hancock Historical Museum. For more information call 419-423-4433. Information contained in this story is courtesy of Linda Paul and the Staff of the Hancock Historical Museum.
