Sylvania trustees defer request for funds to save Lathrop House

Sylvania Township trustees last night deferred a request from The Friends of the Lathrop House for funds to save the building, reportedly used in the mid-1800s as a haven for escaped slaves.

Trustee Dick Moses said he personally favored the effort to save the building, but wanted to be certain "everybody’s jumping into it, and not just a handful."

He added that he would help put together a large fund-raising event that could show broad community support.

Trustee Dennis Boyle said he sees the project as "an opportunity to preserve an important part of Sylvania’s past."

Mr. Boyle and Mr. Moses agreed to hear the issue again next month.

Trustee Jim Schwerkoske was absent from the meeting.

Boyd Montgomery, chairman of the volunteer group, told trustees that about $22,000 has been raised in the effort, and asked that the township pledge up to $50,000 in matching funds.

Moving the building, including the foundation, will cost about $115,000, he said, and the total expense including refurbishing the structure will be an estimated $350,000.

The building was purchased last year by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo with the intention of razing the house and using its surrounding four acres for the expansion of St. Joseph Church, directly across Main Street.

The four acres abut an additional eight acres owned by the diocese to the east of the Lathrop House property.

The parish said it needed the land for construction of a community building that would house some classrooms. Some of the property would be used for athletic practice fields.

After public demonstrations, the church agreed not to immediately raze the building to give the quickly-formed Friends of the Lathrop House time to find the money to move the structure.

Mr. Montgomery said the money raised so far has mostly been in small personal donations and that the group is preparing to approach businesses and foundations for help in addition to organizing fund-raising events.