Premove demolition work to start at historic dwelling
 

Demolition workers are scheduled to be at Sylvania's Lathrop House tomorrow to begin dismantling two porches, the garage, and an exterior chimney at the front of the house, according to Boyd Montgomery, co-chairman of the Friends of the Lathrop House.

Mr. Montgomery said the activity is meant to return the building to its original configuration and to allow access by archaeologists to portions of the house's exterior walls.

Although no permanent site has been found, Mr. Montgomery said the partial demolition has been contemplated by preservationists and is necessary before the building is moved from its present site.

Friends of the Lathrop House was formed last year after the Catholic Diocese of Toledo bought the building and its four acres for the eventual expansion of St. Joseph Parish. The church and its school are directly across Main Street from the house and its surrounding property.

After the citizens’ group objected, the parish postponed its plans to demolish the building to give the group time to collect funds to move the structure. The building, which was constructed in the 1830s, is one of the oldest in Sylvania and is reported to have been used by fugitive slaves as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Toledo Area Metroparks and the city of Sylvania have recently entered into an agreement to locate a site, renovate, and run programming at the house, stressing the role of the area in the Underground Railroad.

Mr. Montgomery and Jim Floyd, business manager for the parish, said they have worked cooperatively in arranging for the dismantling of the additions made to the house.

Officials of the group said they have collected or have promises for enough funds to move the house. They have an estimate of about $115,000 to move the building, including its foundation.

Mr. Montgomery said dismantling the additions probably would take two days, because much of the work will be done by hand so no damage is done to the original structure. C.S. Burge, Inc., has been hired to do the work for $9,675, he said.