The other side of the Lathrop story

After reading articles printed in The Blade and watching The Editors TV program, I thought it was time the public
heard the other side of the story concerning the Lathrop House on Main Street in Sylvania.

No one has heard that the parish had contacted the Sylvania Historical Society and the city council of Sylvania
before purchasing the property. Neither group had the intent or money to do anything for the house or the
property. Now that someone else has made the purchase, interested parties have become very vocal about
preserving the Lathrop House.

The church looked at restoring the home for use and estimated costs were well over $100,000 to bring it up to
code. This did not include costs to make it handicapped accessible. For a new owner, the house is
uninhabitable.

Untold is the fact that St. Joseph has agreed to donate its cost of razing the house to the cost for moving it,
which, as reported, will be $110,000.

Once it is moved, restoration still needs to be done. How will the house be maintained? Who has the money
and who will be responsible for its upkeep? Is the house going to be moved and then remain uninhabitable? I
was told there are no answers to these questions and it would be discussed later.

I believe the comment from The Editors show was that, if moved, federal money probably would not be available.
History does need to be preserved. It is another example how Americans fought together and sacrificed for
freedom for all people. Aren’t there other means to keep this precious oral history of the Underground Railroad
alive?

PATRICIA A. MALLORY
Sylvania Township