Foundation puts $25,000 toward preserving house

The Devers Family Foundation, established by the family of auto-dealer Vin Devers, last night announced a gift of $25,000 to The Friends of the Lathrop House, a group formed to save a historic Sylvania building from threatened demolition.

Paul Devers, president of the dealership, told the Sylvania Township trustees at their meeting that the money will be donated to the citizens’ group trying to raise funds to move the structure from land now owned by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo.

He said the family hopes the donation will spur similar contributions from area organizations and businesses.

Trustees said they still are considering a request for a donation to the group of up to $50,000.

Each trustee said he favors saving the house but can’t make a contribution on behalf of the township until a plan is in place for the eventual public use of the building.

The city of Sylvania has committed a donation of up to $50,000 and a site for the structure, and the group has received other donations of about $30,000.

It is estimated that it will cost about $130,000 for site preparation and moving the house, which is across Main Street from St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The church has said it needs the house torn down so it can use that area and the adjoining four acres it owns for expansion. After obtaining a demolition permit, the church agreed not to tear down the structure as long as The Friends of the Lathrop House work toward moving it.

The 1830s-vintage building is said to be the oldest in the city and reportedly was a stop for runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad.