Park system offers location for historic Sylvania house

The board of the Olander Park System has proposed that the historic Lathrop House be moved to the system’s grounds in the 6900 block of Sylvania Avenue and that the system will restore the building when funds are available.

The park board said that if the move is made it would use the top two floors for administrative offices and use the basement to run programs depicting the Underground Railroad.

The 1830s-vintage Lathrop House, on Sylvania’s Main Street, is said to have been a stop on the railroad as a way station for those escaping from slavery and heading toward Canada.

Linda Bunda, a member of the Friends of the Lathrop House, said the group is thankful for the offer, "but our first priority is to maintain the historical integrity by keeping it on or near the ravine."

A ravine which runs alongside the house reportedly was used by the former slaves to hide their movements to and from the building.

The citizens group was formed to save the house after St. Joseph parish, directly across Main Street, said it intended to raze the house and use the land for expansion.

The Catholic Diocese of Toledo bought the house and its surrounding four acres last year. It also owns an abutting eight acres, which the parish intends to use.

Church officials have agreed not to tear down the building as long as the Friends of the Lathrop House try to raise money to move the building from church-owned property.

If the building is moved a short distance from its current location, the citizens group has an estimate of about $130,000 for site preparation and to move the house. The group has no estimate as to whether the building would be moved a substantial distance.

The group has collected about $35,000 in relatively small donations, $25,000 from a foundation established by the family of auto-dealer Vin Devers, and a promise of up to $50,000 from the city of Sylvania. Sylvania Township trustees are considering a request for $50,000.

The group has said it has a goal of raising a total of $350,000 for moving and completely refurbishing the building.