Park system seeks data on Lathrop House role

More information will be required before board members of Olander Park System determine what role they might take in the preservation of the Lathrop House, a historic structure on Main Street in Sylvania.

A citizens’ group last month asked that the park system consider taking ownership of the building for its administrative offices and utilize it as something of a museum to commemorate its reported use as a station on the Underground Railroad, which once gave sanctuary to runaway slaves.

Gary Madrzykowski, director of the system, said the board, meeting in an executive session last night "determined that they cannot make a decision now because of the uncertainty of the ultimate location of the house."

He said the board is concerned about the site to which the house could be moved and what condition it might be in after being relocated.

The house and its four acres was purchased last year by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo for the expansion of St. Joseph Church, directly across Main Street. The house was slated for demolition until The Friends of the Lathrop House said they would seek funds to move the structure.

Since that time the group has raised about $26,000 and has tentative approval for an additional $50,000 from the city of Sylvania. Sylvania Township trustees also said they will participate in saving the house.

City Council tentatively agreed to provide a site for the building, but no specific location has been determined.

James Floyd, business manager for the parish, said last night that the church’s position is still that the best use of the property for the parish is with the building removed from the site.

He added that the church is working toward developing a specific plan for the use of the Main Street acreage and an adjoining eight acres to the east.