"Western Reserve Style" Architecture & Building Preservation
This website is expected to be operating by mid 2010.
This page is still being developed. When completed, it will have a discussion of that style of architecture referred to locally as "Western Reserve style". Western Reserve architecture encompasses Greek Revival, Italianate, some elements of Queen Anne and Gothic, and a farmhouse vernacular look easily identifiable as belonging to this area.
Historic districts in the Western Reserve, and especially documentation and preservation of historically significant properties will be discussed here.
Strategies for historic building preservation will be discussed here, with more information offered at the Cultural Links and Resources tab.
What is the future of this 1866 building? A recent photo of the 1866 school:
At this time, (February 2008), the Burton Fire Department is seeking to build a new fire station and to sell the existing fire station and the white frame building next door. The building next to the firehouse was one of the earliest standing school buildings in the Western Reserve. It was built in 1866, and moved to it's present location, north of the Town Green, in 1884 to make room for a brick school building. Some of the architectural design elements still remain, some have been changed. The original school building had a bell tower above the roof, just over the door. The only hint now is seen over the front door, with a mini-gabled roof that stops short of the main structure's roof. (Painted with the word, "Antiques") One of the design elements that appears to have been on the original school building is the delicate and graceful cut-out over the front door - appearing as if a banner of wide ribbon.
The building has been vacant for a few years, and needs significant repair. The immediate options for saving this historically significant building are (1) Purchasing the lot and building from the Fire Department at a negotiated price, (2) Purchase the BUILDING ONLY for $1.00 from the Fire Department, with the requirement that the building be moved off the lot in a short timeframe. The Western Reserve Heritage Association advocates keeping the building in the same location is has occupied for over 100 years, if possible.
CLICK ON THIS PHOTO
FROM 1900 TO GET
A CLOSE-UP VIEW.
If the building is purchased for $1.00 (an offer made by the Fire Department for anyone who would take the building), the next issue is re-location. If an historically minded group wanted to keep the building within the Burton Historic District - as designated by the National Register of Historic Places - the building could be moved to the Town Green, just across the street. Another possible option is relocation to the Geauga Historical Society's Century Village.
The building needs to be saved! If it is sold, a new owner could demolish it to increase surface lot parking for the brick building. We need supporters! If preservation of historic structures is your passion, please contact us!
Send an e-mail to "School (at) WesternReserveHeritage.org"
CLICK ON THIS RECENT
PHOTO TO GET A
CLOSE-UP VIEW.
