Olander board weighs buying historic house in Sylvania

The board of trustees of the Olander Park System was asked last night to consider how they might take ownership of the Lathrop House, a building said to have been involved in the Underground Railroad that gave sanctuary to runaway slaves.

Harold McElmurry, chairman of the trustees, said the board, with parks in Sylvania and Sylvania Township, will consider the request.

The Catholic Diocese of Toledo bought the house on Main Street and its surrounding four acres last year with the intention of razing the house and using the property for the expansion of St. Joseph parish directly across the street.

Since then, the Friends of the Lathrop House group has begun to collect funds to save the building and move it.

Larry Sykes, a member of the Toledo board of education and of the board of the Toledo Area Metroparks, said the Olander board should "dare to dream."

He said the Metroparks moved a one-room schoolhouse to its expanded Wildwood park. "We didn’t know quite what to do with it, but now amazing programs have come out of it," he said.

Mr. Sykes said the Manor House at Wildwood holds many functions and is an example of what can be done with older buildings.

He suggested that a revived Lathrop House could be used for educational programs, and Toledo schools might be able seek grants for its operation.

Officials of St. Joseph have said they will not take down the building while the Friends of the Lathrop House continue to raise funds to move the structure.

Gaye Gindy, a researcher of Sylvania history, said there is reason to believe the basement was used by escaped slaves as a stop on their way to Canada.

Sue McHugh, treasurer of the volunteer group, told the board of the Olander system it is asking for help, but also offering an opportunity. She said the park system needs additional administrative space, and the group is "not asking a favor, but handing you an opportunity."

The hope of the volunteer group is that the park system can use the second floor for office space, remodel the first floor with an 1800s theme, and use the basement as something of a museum reflecting the era of the Underground Railroad.

Boyd Montgomery, chairman of the Friends of the Lathrop House, said there is a commitment to move the building, including its basement, for $115,000.

Mr. Montgomery said the group has a goal of $350,000 to move the building and refurbish it.