It's wrong to move the Lathrop House

Those of us who treasure the historical old Lathrop-Vogt house in Sylvania greatly appreciate your attention to its possible demolition.

We can understand the need to expand by its present owner, St. Joseph’s Church, but we do question its desire to move the building, which sits on four acres adjacent to an additional eight acres owned by the church.

The oral tradition of past owners of the house recounts its role in our nation's and northwest Ohio's anti-slavery tradition. As a stop on the Underground Railroad, it harbored in its basement escaped slaves who then fled across the ravine to the rear and to a barn on the present Harroun Road. That barn still stands.

This historic spot and route must not be disturbed. It could become a freedom museum of which all northwest Ohioans would be proud.

The current plan is to move the house to a nearby site. According to the church, this is the only alternative to demolition. Those wishing to preserve the house are now raising the $100,000 or more to cover the cost of removal. Meanwhile, I fervently hope that the church leaders will relent and will consider an alternative to disturbing the present historical site.

Thank you for keeping us posted on developments in this unhappy controversy.

EMILY G. GLEASON
Sylvania