East Washington Street

#218 East Washington Street: Bean House,-1885, Nichols House,-1890, Northern Ohio Telephone Bldg.-1927, Law and Commerce Bldg.-1969



Lillis D. Bean Residence, (1885-1890)

1.  L. D. Bean purchased the property from A. R. Whiteside and built the house in 1885.

Abner Pratt Nichols and Martha Aurilla Nichols Residence, (1890-1927)

1.  L. D. Bean sold the property to Abner Pratt and Martha Aurilla Nichols in 1890.

L/R: Dr. Abner Nichols, Ora Nichols, Nina Nichols Waters, Aurilla Nichols, (rocking chair) Dr. Will Nichols and Floyd Nichols

1.  Dr. Abner Pratt Nichols died in 1921 and Aurilla Nichols died in 1927.

William Abner Nichols and Eurie Stanbery Nichols Residence, (1921-1927)

1. In 1928, Dr. William Nichols bought the Samuel Bradley 1871 house and moved the house to the south adjacent lot at 209 South Broadway Street for the family’s new residence.

2. Dr. Will Nichols sold the house and property to Northern Ohio Telephone Company in 1927.

Northern Ohio Telephone Company, Ernest Favri, Manager (1927-1941)

1.  In 1927 Northern Ohio Telephone came into existence as the results of a merger of all companies controlled and
operated by Frank Knapp and Associates.

Northern Ohio Telephone Company, Willard J. Hetrick, Manager (1941-1957)                                   

1.  Northern Ohio Telephone inaugurated dial service in 1942.

2.  On July 7, 1957, a completely new exchange, located at #140 West Washington Street, was placed in service. Direct Distance Dialing came to Medina as a part of this move.

George Ingram Renter, 2nd floor apartment, ((1959-1969)

Vacant Building 1st floor, (1958-1969)

Law and Commercial Building, Dale Sigafoos, Owner, (1969-1984)

1.  In 1969, Dale Sigafoose Medina councilman and businessman purchased the vacant building for office and commercial rental use.

Carolina Counters, James and Francis Baldwin, Props. (1969-1973)

1.  The entire west wing of the building is devoted to Carolina Counters world of color and charm.

2.  The Baldwin’s display hand woven silks, burlap, linens, woolen goods and blankets from all over the world as well as from the Carolina Woolen Mills in North Carolina.

3.  Carolina Counters were formerly located in the Professional Building at 120 West Washington Street.

Annette Ford World Books, (1969-1970)

Auble Stereo Service, (1969-1970)

Phillip A. Baird, Attorney, (1969-1970)

Harry E. Van Horsten, Attorney, (1969-1971)

Henry Smith, Paul Revere Insurance Company, (1969-1970)

American Can Company, (1969-1971)

Jack M. Kinney, Attorney, (1969-1991)

Roger R. Ingraham, Attorney, (1969-1991)

Deltroi Corporation, (1969-1970)

Dale W. Sigafoos Company, (1969-1970)

1.  Sigafoos Pump and Water Supply Company takes up the entire basement area.

James Navratill Real Estate, (1969-1970)

Lithrum Corporation of America, (1969-1972)

James A. Bixby, (1971-1973)

Pedigree Pet Shop, (1971-1973)

Bruce Fedor, Attorney, (1973–1974)

Max Plaugher Photography, (1974-1975)

RWM Publications, (1974-1975)

Big M Freezer Meats, (1974-1979)

Vet-Search Laboratories, Inc. (1974-1975)

Century Title Agency, (1976-1980)

The Clock Shop, (1976-1977)

William Dietz, CPA, (1976 -1985)

Mr. Groom Products, W. T. Rawleigh, Prop. (1978-1980)

Stewart Title Agency of Ohio, (1978-1980)

Rolling, Hocevar and Associates, (1978-1980)

Don Williams and Associates, (1980-1991)

Warren Raese Inc. CPA, (1981-1991)

American Cancer Society, (1982-1984)

Medina Secretarial Service, (1982-1984)

A First Printing, (1982-1983)

Country Art Gallery, (1982-1983)

U.S. Business, (1982-1983)

UPS Office, (1982-1983)

William L. Thorne, Attorney, (1982-1991)

Washington Enterprises LP, Rental Property, (1984-1984)

1.  Washington Enterprises LP purchased the property from Dale Sigafoos in 1984.

Warren L. Raese, William L. Thorne, Roger R. Ingraham, etal, Rental Property. (1984-1992)

1.  Raese, Thorne, Ingraham, etal. purchased the rental property from Washington Enterprises LP in 1984.

State Farm Insurance Company, (1985-1988)

Executive Title Agency, (1985-1989)

David Bond Insurance, (1988-1990)

Christopher H. Collier, Attorney, (1991-1991)

Dorcas A. Russo, Attorney, (1991-1991)

James L. Berry, CPA, (1985-1993)

Medina County District Library Rental Property, (1992-1996)

1.  Trustees of the MCDL purchased the property from Raese, Thorne, Ingram, and Etal, in 1992.

2.  In 1996 the building was razed for Medina County District Library to improve and enlarge the library facilities.

Medina County District Library, (1996-Present)

#211-219 East Washington Street: Leach House,-1874, Medina County YWCA,-1945

John B. Young sold Lot 76 to Ossin N. Leach in 1873

Ossin N. and Electa F. Leach Residence, (1874-1900)

1. O. N. Leach built a house on Lot 76 in 1874.

2.  Electa Fitch Leach died in 1900

Ossin N. Leach Residence, (1900-1923)

1.  Ossin N. Leach well known clothing merchant died in 1923.

Arthur F. and Elizabeth Leach Residence and Rental Property, (1923-1945) 

1.  Arthur F. Leach acquired the property from the estate of Asian Leach in 1911..  

Walter and Arlene Smithberger Renters, (1940-1944)

Dorothy Baesel Renter, (1940-1941)

June Bailey Renter, (1940-1941)

Grace and Richard Zeigler Renters, 2nd floor, (1944-1945)

Eltan Green Renter, 2nd floor, (1944-1945)

Medina County YWCA, (1945-1972)

1.  Arthur Leach sold the property to the Medina County Young Women’s Christian Association in 1945.

2.  G. E. Scott of Norwalk is architect. Building entrance will be extended to include a colonial porch with tall columns. Alterations an remodeling to cost $300 1945.

3.  The Medina YWCA was founded in 1924 and in 1945 6,000 people passed through their doors in 1945.

4.  In the middle of the 1930s, the Y-center was built in Medina. They work to build strong and caring kids, families and communities with the help of their faith.

5.  Freda Snyder was very supportive of it, stating that "our young people need it." Freda made the down payment on a home on E. Washington Street for the YMCA to be housed.

6.  Freda Snyder however, didn't just give money to the project - Freda also gave her wit and time. She was President for the YW-board for two years. "My association with the 'Y' has been deeply satisfying, I love the work
and I have made many lovely friends," Freda herself said about the Y-center.

7.  Today, there is no longer a Y-center in Medina County. It was sadly closed in 2012

Margene Moore Renter, 2nd floor, (1948-1952)

S.  F. Bucks, (1949-1952)

Edna Naragon Renter, 2nd floor, (1952-1956)

Marie Jackson Renter, 2nd floor, (1952-1956)

R. E. Lishen Renter, (1953-1956)

Shirley Englert Renter, (1956-1960)

Ruby Robison Renter, 2nd floor, (1956-1960)

Ruth Harter Renter, 2nd floor, (1956-1960)

Shirley Englert Renter, (1956-1960)

Virgil Koppes Renter, (1960-1965)

Mary Beach Renter, 2nd floor, (1961-1963)

Mildred Schneider Renter, 2nd floor, (1963-1965)

Connie Barnosky Renter, (1966-1967)

Sharon S. Summers Renter, (1966-1969)

Roland Hunt Renter, 2nd floor, (1966-1967)

Glenn E. Gensemer Renter, (1967-1971)

Larry J. Vereb Renter, 2nd floor, (1969-1971)

Paul S. Hoskinson Renter, 2nd floor, (1969-1972)

Elmer C. Vunderick Renter, (1969-1971)

Medina County YWCA, (1945-1972)

1.  In 1972, the YWCA sold the property to the Medina County Commissioners.

Medina County Youth Services (1972-1978)

Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, (1978-1982)

Ohio Department of Taxation, (1981-1982)

Property was purchased by the Medina County Commissioners and the house was razed in 1982 for property expansion by the Medina County Commissioners

#226 East Washington Street: Cater House-1871, Phillips House-1916

William Cater Residence, (1871-1875)

1.  The house was built for William Cater for $3,500 with a beautiful stairway and a marble fireplace with a double front door and grating says Florence Phillips in 1960.

R. C. and Francis E. Curtis Residence, (1875-1905)

1.  R. C. Curtis died in 1905.

Francis E. Curtis Residence, (1905-1916)

1.  Francis E. Curtis died in 1916.

Fremont O. and Minnie Phillips and Florence J. Phillips Residence, (1916-1936)

1. Fremont Phillips is a fellow Medina native who was born on the day of March 16, 1856..

2. He served on the 56th United States Congress and he played a pretty big role during the time he served for the United States Congress. Fremont Phillips voted to build the Panama Canal.

3. Fremont Phillips also played major parts in the Medina community. He was the mayor of Medina from 1886-1890. He was also
elected Probate Judge of Medina County in 1924, he was also reelected in 1928 and served until 1932.

4. He is buried in Medina at the Spring Grove Cemetery with his spouse, Minnie Phillips who died in 1923. Fremont will always be remembered in Medina as one of our best historical leaders.

Florence J. Phillips Residence, 2nd floor, (1936-1969)

1.  Florence Phillips was a very well-known High School teacher of English, History and Latin.



2.  Florence Phillips provided rental accommodations to many Medina School System Teachers for over 30 years.

3.  Florence Phillips died in 1970...

Arlo and Grace Smith Renters, (1940-1942)

Fannie and Isabelle Simmerman Wilson Renters, (1942-1945)

1.  Fannie Simmerman and Mrs. George (Isabelle) Simmerman Wilson moved into the downstairs apartment of the Florence Phillips home in 1942,

Martha Buck Renter, (teacher Garfield), (1948-1949)

Ruth McNinch Renter, (teacher Garfield), (1948-1949)

Flora Moss Renter, (teacher Lincoln), (1948-1952)

George A. Young Renter, (1952-1955)

George A. Washburn Renter, 1st floor, (1956-1965)

Karl L. Matulan Renter, 2nd floor, (1966-1968)

Vacant, (1969-1970)

Dale W. Sigafoos Residence, (1970-1975)

1.  In 1969, Dale Sigafoos Medina councilman and businessman purchased the vacant building for office and commercial use.

Washington Enterprises LLC, Rental Property, (1976-1992)

1.  Washington Enterprises LLC purchased the Sigafoos rental property in 1976.

The Country Peddler, (1976-1977)

The Encore Shop, (1976-1982)

Village Framer, (1976-1988)

Mud Mothers Pottery, Elaine Lamb, Prop., (1978-1985)

The Cheese House, (1978-1980)

Village Booksmith, (1981-1985)

Stained Glass Creations, (1981-1982)

Soft-touch Fabric Fantasies, (1981-1982)

Just For You, (1982-1984)

Country Junction, (1985-1988)

VLG Ceramics and Gifts, (1989-1991)

Dennis A. and Lucy A. Mahoney Rental Property, (1992-1997)

1.  Dennis A. Mahoney purchased the rental property from Washington Enterprises LLC in 1992.

Wood Shed of Medina, (1992-1999)

Daubney & Associates, (1993-1994)

Medina County District Library Trustees Rental Property, (1997-2005)

1. Medina County District Library Trustees purchased the Mahoney rental property in 1997.

Sun Lotus Yoga, (1997-1997)

Janel Resources Group, (1998-1998)    

Investment Management and Research, (1997-1999)

Vacant, (2000-2005)

1.  The "Blue" Phillips house was one of the homes that wase part of Victorian Village on East Washington Street.

2.  The homes are all gone now, removed for the Medina Library Expansion.

3.  The Phillips house was dismantled and moved across country to the San Francisco area and rebuilt.

 Medina County District Library Parking Lot, (2008-Present)

Preservationist moving 1874 house from Ohio to California

 MEDINA, Ohio - A house which has been a piece of Medina's history in northeast Ohio is headed for a new life in California.

1.  The 1874 Victorian house at Medina's public square is known as the Blue House, nicknamed for the color of its peeling
exterior paint.

2.  It is on the property belonging to the Medina Community Library, which needs the site for expansion.

3.  Business owner Jim Siegel found the house on a Web site devoted to the preservation. Now he wants to move it to the San Francisco Bay area. It will be dismantled and moved across the country on three flatbed trucks.

4.   This house was one of the Victorian Village houses on East Washington Street and was purchases for $1.00
(abt. 2005) and was removed by sections and shipped to Calfornia. The restoration took approximately 3 years to finish.

Medina County District Library Parking Lot, (2008-Present)

#227 East Washington Street: Murray House-1874



W. R. Sargent sold Part Lot 76 to Dr. Landon S. Murray in 1873

Dr. Landon S. and Mary Murray Residence, (1874-1909)

1. Doctor Murray built a house on east side of Part–Lot 76 in 1874.

2.. Dr. Landon S. Murray a well-known local physician and surgeon died in 1909.

Marry Murray Residence, (1909-1915)

1.  Mary Murray died in 1915.

Elmer A. and Ida Mae Brown Residence, (1915-1920)

1.  Elmer A. Brown died in 1920 at age 57 years.

Ida Mae Brown Residence and Rental Property, (1920-1939)

1.  Ida Mae Brown Wood died in 1939 at age 52 years and Don F. Wood continued to maintain the property under dower
rights until 1963.

Don F. Wood Residence, (1939-1964)

1.  Don F. Wood and Ida Mae Brown were married on November 22, 1938,

2.  Don F. Wood lived all his life in Medina County, as a teacher, a farmer and in his later years a Justice of the Peace for Liverpool Township.

Vacant, (1960-1965)

1.  Don F. Wood lived in the Mecca Nursing Home during this period and up to his death in March 1965.

Medina County Welfare Department, (1965-1970)

Family Guidance Clinic, (1970-1975)

Medina County Mental Health and Retardation Board, (1973-1975)

Community Mental Health Services, (1975-1982)

Property purchased by the Medina County Commissioners and the house razed in 1982.

#233 East Washington Street: Munson House,-1877

National Register of Historic Places – 1980, #80003156, The Munson House

Judge Albert and Harriet Munson Residence, (1877-1911)

1.  Albert was born to Lyman and Nancy (Porter) Munson on 8 Aug, 1829 at River Styx. He was one of 9 children. His parents came to Ohio in 1816 from Massachusetts and were farmers.

2.  Albert's first attended a log schoolhouse, later studying at the Sharon Academy. The Academy was a product of the Universalists (religion) in the area who were looking for a non-sectarian educational option.

3.  In 1844, while Albert was still a teen, a political speaker did not show up for his speech. Albert volunteered to speak extemporaneously on the duties of citizenship and finished to cheers and applause. He was fascinated by politics from that time forward.
4.  He organized the River Styx Lyceum where debate was prized. He later said that prepared him for his love of lifelong learning.
5.  Other benchmarks from Albert's long life:

Worked 5 years at general store of Allen Howes in Sharon. Then to Colborn & Munson in River Styx. 

While working at the store, he married Harriet Easton in 1854. Children followed: Cora E. and Lyman E. Munson. 

He then farmed his father's homestead. 

He worked hard for Republican Party throughout Medina County when that party was just getting started in 1856, delivering hundreds of speeches.

He was physically incapacitated to serve in the Civil War so he recruited other soldiers. For that service he won an appointment as Colonel of the Militia by Ohio Governor Todd in 1862.

In 1869, he was elected to Ohio House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 187, serving a total of 4 years. He worked on codifying Ohio State laws, which were later copied by other states. 

He was a temperance man. 

After studying on his own for years, he was admitted to the bar in 1873, although he never practiced as a lawyer.

He worked to bring the Railroad to Medina in 1871-72 and continued to support bringing railroads to Medina for the rest of his life. 

In 1875 he was elected Director of Ohio Farmers Insurance (now Westfield Insurance). 

In 1878 he was elected Judge of the Probate Court of Medina County and  “never had decision reversed by the higher courts” 

He moved to Medina to be closer to his work. He was a judge for 2, 3-year terms (6 years). He used the honorific title "Judge" the rest of his life.

6.  After that he bought Samuel Bradley’s hardware business and ran that business for 25 years as A. Munson and Son.

7.  Probably one of the most interesting aspects about Munson was his religious beliefs. He was a
Spiritualist.

8.  He claimed he was personally responsible for William McKinley being elected as President. In gratitude McKinley came to
Medina for a speech. After his election, McKinley offered Munson any position he wanted in gratitude for all of Munson's help.  Munson, who was around 70 years old, said being postmaster was good enough. The post office was two
doors down from his hardware store. He was postmaster for 6 years. 

9.  From 1907-1908, he wrote column for Gazette “Reminiscences of a Busy Life” (play on "Recollections of a Busy Life" by Horace Greeley) that described many facets of his long life. 

10.  Albert Munson died in 1911. In his obituary it was stated that Munson believed "Death was only an incident in the journey to other scenes." One by one, death took each of the Munson’s leaving none from that branch of the family. Each was cremated, a practice that had been revived in the 1870's.

Source; See full story of Judge Albert Munson at Medina County District Library Genealogy Blog, Thursday, October 10, 2019, Kathy Petras

Lyman Munson Residence, (1911-1913)

1.  Born in Medina, Medina, Ohio on 03 Mar 1862 to Albert Munson and Harriet Easton, Lyman E Munson passed away on 05 May 1913 in Cuyahoga, Ohio.

Cora (Munson) Blakeslee Residence, (1914-1952)

1.  Cora fell in love with Charles Blakeslee, the Boys Choir Director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The couple got married in the Munson Home. After they left for their honeymoon in Mount Vernon Ohio, the people of Medina were shocked to see only Cora return, without her husband. Some believed that he had left her to return home to Mount Vernon, and others have concocted stories over time, but there was only one woman who knew the truth. Mrs. Velma Cochrane, a close friend, was the only person Cora told her secret to, and Velma kept the secret for the rest of her life, taking it to grave.

2.  The Munson House was never truly empty. Albert Munson was known for conducting séances while his daughter Cora kept
notes. Prominent figures in Medina, the Munson's had connections to other prominent figures of the time. These connections helped them to reach their friends' spirits.

3.  A good friend to Munson, President McKinley was contacted often. He told Munson how he was having a difficult time adjusting to spiritual life.

4.  Following her father's death, Cora continued to conduct séances in the house. She also left plates at the dinner table for her family members, but they were turned over, signifying that they were with her in spirit.

5.  After the Judge and his wife Harriet died in 1911 and his son, Lyman, passed, in 1913, his daughter, Cora Munson, ran the family business for 25 years and inherited it, along with the Munson House.

6.   “Cora doing that made her really one of the first independent businesswomen in Medina,”

7.  Cora M. Blakeslee died in 1956.

8. Cora Munson Blakeslee left her home to the Medina County Historical Society when she died in 1956.

Vacant, (1956-1959)

Munson House Museum: Medina County Historical Society, (1960-1985)

1.  In 1985, Medina County Commissioners acquired the Munson House property in a similar trade with the Medina County Historical Society, which in exchange got the larger John Smart House on North Elmwood. The historical society has used the home as its offices and museum since the trade.

2. In 1985, disaster struck the Munson home when the County planned the construction of a new parking lot, right where the house was standing. It was a pivotal time, proving the modern necessities of life more important than local history. Many battles were fought, and for a while the citizens thought the house was doomed. Ironically, Medina faced an immense amount of rain at this time, and some thought it was the doing of the Munson spirits, unhappy with the situation.

3. However, in early November 1985, the Medina Community Design Committee raised the necessary funds to move the house, saving it from being destroyed. and the house finally did move, relocating to its new home, on South Prospect Street.

Now a private residence, the Munson family lived here until Cora Munson's death in 1956. Originally it was at 233 East Washington Street. The Community Design Committee moved the house to its present location on Prospect in 1985.

#234 East Washington Street: Congregational Society Parsonage, 1877



William M and Anna Cater Part-Lot 54, (1872-1877)

Medina Congregational Church Society Property, (1877-1899)

1.  Reverend Jesse Hill, Pastor (1899-1907)  used this property as a parsonage until a parsonage was built on grounds
owned by the church just to the east of the Church on East Liberty Street in
1907.

Elmer A. and Ida May Brown Rental Property, (1900-1908)

1.  Elmer and Ida May Brown bought the Congregational Society property and rented it back to the Society to provide funds to build a new parsonage.

Lucius O. and Carrie Brown Residence, (1908-1912)

William S. Tuttle Residence, (1912-1915)

Ernest E. and Letitia Wallace Residence and Rental Property, (1915-1940)

1.  Wallace Implement Company on West Washington Street was an International Harvester Agent since 1916.

2.  Jessie Nugent was the daughter of E. E. and Letitia Wallace and shared the property while parents lived in their winter home in Florida.

Glen H. Nugent and Jesse M. Nugent Renters, (1930-1940)

1.  Glen and Jessie purchased her parent’s house when Ernest and Letitia Wallace retired to their home in Florida in 1947.

Glen H. and Jessie Nugent Residence, (1940-1965)

1.  In 1947, Glen Harold Nugent purchased the property from father-in-law Ernest E. Wallace.

2.  Glen H. Nugent died in 1964.

Jessie M. Nugent, Private Residence, (1966-1969)

1.  Jessie Nugent died in 1969.

Gorfido Real Estate, James Gorfido, Prop. (1969-1975)

1.  Gorfido Real Estate purchased the property from Jessie Nugent in 1970.

Washington Enterprises LP Rental Property, (1975-2008)

1.   Washington Enterprises LP purchased the property from James Gorfido in 1975.

Bishop Realtors, (1974-1975)

James Building Company, #234.5, (1974-1975)

The Wood Shed (1975-1985)

Fabric Attic, #234.5, (1978-1980)

Gnome Hollow, Inc. (1981-1982)

Upstairs Wallpaper and Accessories, #234.5, (1985-1992)

Hearthside Stitchery, (1988-1991)

Medina Golf & Repair, (1992-1996)

Bead Botique, (1994-1994)

Washington Enterprises LP Rental Property, (1975-2008)

1.  Washington Enterprises LP purchased the property from James Gorfido in 1975.

Creative Life Change, (1996-1997)

Treasured Friends Country STR, (1998-1999)

This-n-That Antique Shop, (2000-2006)

Vacant, (2007-2008) 

Elmer A. and Ida May Brown Rental Property, (1900-1908)

1.  Elmer and Ida May Brown bought the Congregational Society property and rented it back to the Society to provide funds to build a new parsonage.

Lucius O. and Carrie Brown Residence, (1908-1912)

William S. Tuttle Residence, (1912-1915)

Ernest E. and Letitia Wallace Residence and Rental Property, (1915-1940)

1.  Wallace Implement Company on West Washington Street was an International Harvester Agent since 1916.

2.  Jessie Nugent was the daughter of E. E. and Letitia Wallace and shared the property while parents lived in their winter home in Florida.

Glen H. Nugent and Jesse M. Nugent Renters, (1930-1940)

1.  Glen and Jessie purchased her parent’s house when Ernest and Letitia Wallace retired to their home in Florida in 1947.

Glen H. and Jessie Nugent Residence, (1940-1965)

1.  In 1947, Glen Harold Nugent purchased the property from father-in-law Ernest E. Wallace.

2.  Glen H. Nugent died in 1964.

Jessie M. Nugent, Private Residence, (1966-1969)

1.  Jessie Nugent died in 1969.

Gorfido Real Estate, James Gorfido, Prop. (1969-1975)

1.  Gorfido Real Estate purchased the property from Jessie Nugent in 1970.

Washington Enterprises LP Rental Property, (1975-2008)

1.   Washington Enterprises LP purchased the property from James Gorfido in 1975.

Bishop Realtors, (1974-1975)

James Building Company, #234.5, (1974-1975)

The Wood Shed (1975-1985)

Fabric Attic, #234.5, (1978-1980)

Gnome Hollow, Inc. (1981-1982)

Upstairs Wallpaper and Accessories, #234.5, (1985-1992)

Hearthside Stitchery, (1988-1991)

Medina Golf & Repair, (1992-1996)

Bead Botique, (1994-1994)

Washington Enterprises LP Rental Property, (1975-2008)

1.  Washington Enterprises LP purchased the property from James Gorfido in 1975.

Creative Life Change, (1996-1997)

Treasured Friends Country STR, (1998-1999)

This-n-That Antique Shop, (2000-2006)

Vacant, (2007-2008) 

The Trustees of the Medina County District Library, (2008-Present)

1.  Medina County District Library Trustees purchased the property from Washington Enterprises LLC, In 2008.

2.  Houses containing businesses at 234, 240, and 246 East Washington Street were razed in February 2008 to provide for a parking lot for the Medina District

Medina County District Library Parking Lot (2009-Present)

#239 East Washington Street: Hickox House,-1889

Isaac W. and Ann Babcock Vacant Lot 72, (1847-1889)

1.  Isaac W. Babcock purchased the property from David King in 1847.

2.  Harriet Hickox acquired the Whole-Lot 72 from the Isaac Babcock Family in 1889.

3.  Harriet Hickox was the daughter of Isaac and Ann Babcock and inherited their estate.

William H. and Harriet Hickox Rental Property, (1889-1915)

1.  James G. Hickox built a house on the west-side of Lot 72 in 1889 for Harriet Hickox.

2.  William H. Hickox died in 1915 and Harriet Hickox sold the property to Grant and Agnes McNeal.

Grant and Agnes McNeal Residence, (1915-1922)

1.  Grant and Agnes McNeal sold the property to George and Florence Willis in 1922.

George S. and Florence Willis Residence, (1922-1945)

1.  In 1937, Willis home is for sale and would make good double or tourist house 1937.

Walter R. and Helen Brookins Residence and Rental Property, (1945-1948)

1.  W, R. Brookins bought the George Willis house in 1945.

Helen M. and Walter R. Brookins Tourist Motel, (1948-1952)

1.  Helen M. and Walter Brookins sold the property to Windsor E. and Susan Kellogg in 1952.

Windsor E. and Susan Kellogg Rental Property, (1952-1958)

Ronald E. Partlon Renter, (1952-1957)

Walter K. Hertel Renter, 2nd floor, (1952-1957)

1.  Windsor E. and Susan W. Kellogg sold the property to Richard and Paula Gensemer in 1958

Richard and Paula Gensemer Rental Property, (1958-1959)

1.  Richard and Paula Gensemer sold the property to Ohio Oil Company in 1959.

2. The house on the property was razed in 1962 to make way for a Gas Station Building.

Marathon Service Station, Glenn, Prop. (1963-1966)

Marathon Service Station, Jim, Prop. (1963-1969)

Marathon Service Station, Edward, Prop. (1969-1971)

Marathon Service Station, Gus Letterly, Prop. (1971-1977)

Interstate Marathon, (1977-1990)

Lloyd Auto Care, Lessee (1991-1996)

Vacant, (1997-1998)

1.  Marathon Oil Company sold the property to Marlin Leasing Company in 1997.

Norris Auto Outlet, Lessee, (1999-2000)

1.  Marlin Leasing Company sold the property to Medina County Commissioners in 2000.

2.  The commercial building was razed in 2001

Medina County Commissioners Vacant Property (2000-2008)

Medina County Parking Garage, (2009-Present)

#240 East Washington Street: Smith House,-1878

George Kimball Vacant Part-Lot 54 East, (1872-1877)

1.  George Kimball sold the property to Sidney Jay Smith in 1877.

Sidney Jay Smith, Lot 54, (new Lot 404) Vacant Property, (1877-1878)

1. Sidney Jay Smith built a house on Part-Lot 54, east in 1878.

Sidney Jay Smith Residence and Rental Property, (1877-1897)

1.  Sidney Jay Smith died in 1897

Louis Sidney Smith Residence and Rental Property, (1897-1927)

Frank and Hannah Heiss Renters, (1910-1916)

Albert and Elizabeth Boesch Residence and Rental Property, (1927-1948)

1.  In 1927, Louis Sidney Smith, formerly of Lakewood, father of Elizabeth, Sidney and Adon, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Albert Boesch, 240 E. Washington Street, Medina, Ohio

C. J. Mack Renter, (1937-1939)

Arthur and Lucy V. Collacott Renters, (1940-1948)

Arthur and Lucy V. Collacott Residence and Rental Property, (1948-1955)

1.  Arthur and Lucy V. Collacott purchased the Smith Rental property in 1948.

Lucy V. Collacott Residence and Rental Property, (1955-1963)

1.  Arthur Collacott died in 1955.

Derwin and Iva A. Nettleton Rental Property, (1963-1975)

1.  Derwin and Iva A. Nettleton purchased the property from Lucy Collacott in 1963.

Aldine Starkey Renter, (1966-1969)

Paulette Faila Renter, 2nd floor, (1966-1969)

Larry F. and Rose Beck Renters, (1969-1971)

Mary A. Wohlschlager Renter, 2nd floor, (1971-1974)

Gladys Carpender Renter, (1974-1975)

Washington Enterprises LP Rental Property, (1975-2008)

1.  Washington Enterprises LP purchased the rental property in 1975.

The Bee Hive Gift House, (1976-1982)

The Village Framer, (1980–1986)

The Fabric Attic, (1982-1985)

Hearthside Stitchery, (1985-1989)

Kitchen Kandy and Kakes, Karen and Buck Jones, Prop. (1987–1990)

1. Moved to 8 West Public Square in 1990.

Country Junction, (1989–1991)

Simpson Clock Repair, (1991-1997)

Grandma Hattie’s, (2000-2004)

North Coast Precision Service Inc, (1991-2007)

Trustees of Medina County District Library, (2008-Present)

1.  Trustees of MCDL purchased the property from Washington Enterprises LP in 2008

2.  The houses containing businesses at 234, 240, and 246 East Washington Street were razed in February 2008 to provide for a parking lot for the Medina District Library

Medina County District Library Parking Lot (2009-Present)

#245 East Washington Street: Kimball House,-1891

Isaac W. and Ann Babcock Vacant Lot 72, (1847-1867)

1.  Isaac W. Babcock purchased the property from David King in 1847.

2.  Harriet Hickox acquired the Whole-Lot 72 from the Isaac Babcock Family in 1889.

3.   Harriet Hickox was the daughter of Isaac and Ann Babcock and inherited their estate.

Isaac W. and Ann Babcock Rental Property (1867-1891)

Charles H. and Elizabeth G. Kimball Renters, (1867-1889)

Harriet Hickox Rental Property, (1889-1915)

1.  In 1889,, the 1867 house was razed.

Charles H. and Elizabeth G. Kimball Renters, (1891-1915)

1.  Mr. Kimball has lived on East Washington Street since 1867 on the same lot, the house there now having been built in 1891 by James Hickox.

2.  In 1891, Mr. Kimball became postmaster of Medina village, being chosen by popular vote of the patrons of the office
and served four years as postmaster, until another Democratic era began with D. S. Smith as postmaster, but Mr. Kimball was retained as assistant by Mr. Smith and also by A. Munson, who succeeded Mr. Smith as postmaster in 1899, and he
continued as assistant postmaster till the fall of 1905, serving in all more than 20 years in the office.

3.  Nov 19, 1915: In the death of C. H. Kimball Medina has lost another of her oldest, best known and most highly respected
citizens. His many years of faithful and painstaking service in the Medina post office gave him close and intimate acquaintanceship with Medina's business men and other patrons of the office, and acquaintanceship that years of service
ripened into abiding friendships.

Mary L. Kimball Residence, (1915-1921)

1.  Harriet Hickox sold the property to long term family renter Mary Kimball in 1915.

2.  Mary L. Kimball died in 1921

Andrew M. and Leila Haight Residence, (1921-1939)

1.  Andrew M. Haight died in 1939.

Brooks and Elizabeth Walsh Renters, (1930-1936)

Leila Haight Residence, (1940-1954)

1.  Leila Haight died in 1954.

Richard and Paula Gensemer Residence and Rental Property, (1954-1961)

1.  Richard and Paula Gensemer sold the property to Ohio Oil Company in 1961.

2.  The house on the property was razed in 1962 to make way for a Gas Station Building

Marathon Service Station, Glenn, Prop. (1963-1966)

Marathon Service Station, Jim, Prop. (1963-1969)

Marathon Service Station, Edward, Prop. (1969-1971)

Marathon Service Station, Gus Letterly, Prop. (1971-1977)

Interstate Marathon, (1977-1990)

Lloyd Auto Care, Leesse, (1991-1996)

Vacant, (1997-1998)

Norris Auto Outlet, Lessee, (1999-2000)

Property purchased by the Medina County Commissioners and the building razed in 2001.

Vacant Property (2000-2008)

Medina County Parking Garage, (2009-Present)

#246 East Washington Street: Easton House,-1887, Rickard House,-1904



Robert Salisbury, Lot 54, (new Lot 405, (1877-1887)

Meroa Easton Residence, (1887-1904)

1.  Meroa Easton purchased the vacant property from Robert Salisbury and built a house in 1887.

O. B. and Carrie Rickard Residence, (1904-1939)

1.  O. B. and Carrie Rickard purchased the property from Meroa Easton in 1904.

Arthur D and Ella S. Aylard Renters, 1910-1915)

Hazel D. Rickard Residence, (1939-1946)

1.  Hazel Rickard acquired the property from the estate of her mother in 1939.

Derwin and Iva A. Nettleton Rental Property, (1946-1975)

1.  Derwin and Iva A. Nettleton purchased the property from Hazel Rickard in 1946

S. W. Bowan Renter, (1946-1951)

Paul Smithberger Renter, (1946-1952)

W. D. Moore Renter, (1947-1952)

Barbara Siegfried Renter, (1952-1965)

W. D. Riggenbach Renter, (1953-1959)

Robert R. White Renter, (1953-1959)

Sam E. Shafer Renter, (1960-1965)

Sophia Stadnik Renter, 2nd floor, (1960-1969)

Dan Stadnik Renter, 2nd floor, (1960-1969)

Leo Shriber Renter, (1963-1965)

Bobby W. Fisher Renter, (1963-1965)

Leon A. Schriver Renter, (1966-1968)

Max W. Farnsworth Renter, (1966-1968)

Tibor Z. Kovach Renter, (1969-1971)

Frank Hawk Renter, (1971-1973)

Nelson Lafe Renter, 2nd floor, (1971-1973)

Susan F. Riddle Renter, (1974-1975)

Lily Barnum Renter, (1974-1975)

Cheryl Terepka Renter, (1974-1975)

Washington Enterprises LP Rental Property, (1975-2008)

1.  Washington Enterprises LP purchased the rental property in 1975

The Village Booksmith, 1st Floor, (1976-1980)

1.  Village Booksmith moved the business to #226 E. Washington Street in 1980.

The Spanish Galleon, 2nd Floor, (1976-1978)

Down-Under Fabric and Notions, 1st Floor, (1978-1981)

The Woodshed Arts and Crafts, 2nd Floor, (1978-1981)

Village Clip Shoppe, (1981-1995)

The Ivy Tree, (1996-1996)

Xpress Hair Care Styling Salon, (1997-1997)

Vacant, (1998-1998)

This-N-That Resale Shop, (1999-1999)

Vacant, (2000-2000)

Talk of the Towne, (2001-2001)

Faded Lace Antiques and Décor, (2002-2003)

Vacant, (2004-2004)

Medina Tool and Trade, (2005-2005)

Cameron Pedro, Attorney, (2005-2008)

Trustees of Medina County District Library, (2008-Present)

1.  Trustees of MCDL purchased the property from Washington Enterprises LP in 2008

2.  The houses containing businesses at 234, 240, and 246 East Washington Street were razed in February 2008 to provide for a parking lot for the Medina District Library

Medina County District Library Parking Lot (2009-Present)

#314 East Washington Street: Boardman House,-1847, Blake House,-1855



National Register of Historic Homes, Medina County, Ohio. Blake, H. G. House, added 1982 - -#82003612.

Lathrop Seymour, Director of Lands, Vacant Lot 55, (1818-1819)

1.  Lathrop Seymour was a leading citizen in the early history of the county. Selected as Director of the County Lands in 1812, it was his responsibility to select the site for the County Seat of Justice and to plot the Village and prepare the
lots for sale.

2.  In 1819, the Director of County Lands, Lathrop Seymour sold the entire land on the east side of Public Square to John
Freese. This includes Lots 77, 78, 79, and 80.

3.  In 1819, Medina Village Lot 55 as it appears on the original plat map of 1818 transferred from the Director of Lands to John
Freese.

4.  This was one of Medina’s more strategic lots since it was located on the south-east corner of East Washington and Jefferson Streets just one block east from the square.

John Freese, Land Agent, Vacant Lot 55, (1819-1821)

1.  That first Transfer did not really signify anything, since John Freese was the land agent for the Connecticut Land Company
and other investors. It was probably a transfer of convenience, so that Mr. Freese could carry out his duties.

William Whiting Boardman Investor, Vacant Lot 55, (1821-1847)

1.  Born in New Milford, Connecticut, William Whiting Boardman was the son of Senator Elijah Boardman and Mary Ann Whiting Boardman, Medina’s early founder and benefactor.

2.  For 26 years, Judge William W. Boardman held on to this small lot 55 of land. In any case Mr. Boardman was in the business
of making money from land ownership, for his name appears on many parcels of vacant property in and around the Medina village and boarding townships.

3.  When Judge Boardman decided to finally develop the vacant land he did so only two years before he sold the land and
built a very attractive but modest house.in 1847.

4.  The house was not a large or elegant house, but with a perfect rectangular floor plan, it still has those Greek revival
touches which brought a little refinement to the backwoods.

5.  The gable is accented with a wide cornice and returns, both trademarks of a Greek revival home.

6.  The front door is graced with sidelights and a detailed entablature and opens into a long hall; to the right is a parlor
approximately fifteen foot square with a room identical in size south of this parlor.

7.  Inside the steps to the second floor rise directly in front of the door as they scale the eastern wall of the house with
a banister around the open stairway providing a touch of class,

8.  Upstairs three bedrooms lead from a long hall, all with simple plank doors and iron latches. .

9.  The grand yellow house on the corner as seen today, if viewed closely, you can see the outlines of the original Boardman
house of 1847.

Jeremiah Warner Residence, (1851-1851)

1.  After completing the house, William W. Boardman sold it to Jeremiah Warner, who for some reason held on to it for only
two weeks in October of 1851 before passing it along to Henry Spillman.

Henry Spillman Residence, (1853-1853)

1.  Henry Spillman owned the house for only two years, but additions must have been made since the tax duplicate showed an
increase of three hundred dollars during that time period.

2.  Henry Clay Spillman passed away on January 4 1855. He was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Medina, Ohio.

Fred H. Brown Residence, (1853-1855)

1.  In 1853, Fred H. Brown purchased the property and during the interim there were additional structural changes made since the tax valuation increased close to two hundred dollars.

2.  It was either Mr. Spillman or Mr. Brown who added the eastern wing to the house.

3.  The eastern wing of the building has the same type of hand hewn beams and bark-covered logs as joists and it has the same
brick foundation.

4.  But there the similarities end; only the original portion has a full basement; the roof line on the eastern gable was
changed to a hip style and on the inside, the width of the floor boards are narrower; the woodwork is smaller and simpler and the double-cross doors with knobs replace the early plank; now the elongated side of the house faced the street, but the floor plan remained.

5.  There is no way of knowing which gentleman built the additions or make other changes, but there is every indication that
the Boardman home grew with each succeeding owner as they adapt to their needs.

6.  The western side of the house with its short gabled side to the road was the beginning of what was to be the H. G. Blake
house.

Harrison G. Blake Residence, (1855-1861)

1.  It was only one year after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law that the Blake’s moved into the 314 East Washington Street
house.

2.  By that time Harrison G. Blake already had distinguished himself in business as a merchant and banker.

3.  H. G. Blake studied law under Judge J. S. representative, served as Speaker of the Ohio Senate and in 1858 was elected to
the U. S. House of Representatives and reelected in 1960.

4.  By this time, H. G. Blake had made his commitment to the anti-slavery cause and aligned himself with the Free Soil
Party and a party to the Underground Railway.

 5.  Harrison Gray Blake routinely ignored the Fugitive Slave Laws and hid runaway slaves in his handsome home on East Washington Street. It was a terrible risk in those days to harbor slaves — the fines were prohibitive and could bankrupt a family. 

6.  Blake had a great deal to lose. He had come to Medina as a penniless orphan and, within a decade, had become a wealthy
and influential man and founder of the Old Phoenix Bank.

7.  H. G. Blake's house was a busy stop on the Underground Railroad.

8.  The older of his two daughters, Elizabeth Blake McDowell, told her descendants the story of how she discovered that the family was hiding slaves.  She noticed that her mother would occasionally cook very large amounts of food – far more than was needed for their family of four.  She began to ask questions, and finally her parents explained the situation to her – that her father had undertaken an important mission and that secrecy was essential.

9.  When Elizabeth Blake saw a large ham disappear or heard strange noises in the attic over the kitchen, she was no longer surprised. To insure discretion, Elizabeth and her sister were kept out of school when slaves were in the house

10.  Another time Blake said to his two daughters, “Come with me, I want to show you something that will make you hate slavery forever.”  He took them to the attic and showed them a terror-stricken slave. The man’s back had been whipped
and salt had been rubbed in his wounds as a disinfectant. It was a sight that neither daughter ever forgot.

11.  A short time later Blake sent the slave on to Oberlin, the next stop on the Underground Railroad.  The next stop after that was Canada and freedom.

12.  Harrison G. Blake joined the Union Army and was appointed Colonel of the 166th Regiment, Ohio Infantry Volunteers.



13.  In a brief biography written near the end of his life, he wrote, “I ardently supported President Lincoln and all measures to put down the rebellion.  I was always an ardent anti-slavery man and a friend of the slave.”

14.  In 1861, H. G. Blake sold his home to Cornelius Welch.

15.. Harrison G. Blake died in 1876.

Cornelius Welch Residence, (1861-1873)

1.  Little is known of Cornelius Welch although he continued to live in another home on Washington Street after he sold the
home to O. C. Shepard in 1873.

2.  Cornelius Welch died in 1910.

Oliver Collins and Pauline Wood Shepard Residence, (1873-1896)

1.  During the gold fever excitement of 1849, O. C. Shepard went to the Pacific coast, remaining in California, three years. Little gold dust was found, but his real fortune came from outfitting other prospectors

2.  In 1872, O. C. Shepard moved to Medina and erected the flouring mill which he has conducted so successfully since his residence here.

3.  Oliver C. Collins purchased the house and property for $3,000 in 1873.

4.  The Shepard’s chose to add to the back of the house, which expanded the kitchen area and added to the number of bedrooms.

5.  Even though the essential Greek revival features were included, O. C. Shepard took liberties to put a pediment at the east and west gables and filled the area with notched clapboards so to give a shingle effect, A cornice around this portion of the house is much more detailed.

6.  Oliver C. Shepard died in 1893 and Pauline Shepard died in 1895.

Christian Leonard and Mary Shepard Griesinger Residence, (1896-1943)

1.  Christian Leonard and Mary Griesinger moved into the former O. C. Shepard home in 1896

2. Born 1861, Christian took over his father’ shoe business started in 1859.

3.  Christian L. Griesinger died in 1943.

Mary S, Griesinger Residence, (1943-1963)

1.  Home was formerly owned by Mary’s parents the O. C. Shepards’, now over 100 years old.

2.  During World War I, Mary S. Griesinger was very involved in the campaign to sell war bonds and traveled the state of Ohio with Blake McDowell, grandson of H. G. Blake. 

3.  Medina's Afternoon Club, oldest in the County was a book club founded by a pair of lifelong friends, Elizabeth McDowell Hewes and Mary Shepard Griesinger..

4.  The club began on Oct. 21, 1898. The founders decided that local ladies needed "a place where women with an interest in literature and in the important issues of their time -such as women's suffrage -- could get together to share ideas. The purpose of this club was to 'inspire and educate its members.'"

5. Today, the club meets every Friday afternoon from November through April. Each week, a member presents a book "of
literary merit" to a group of up to 25 members and 10 associate members.

6.  Mary S. Griesinger died in 1963.

Willard Wood and Pauline Griesinger McClelland Residence, (1943-1964)

1.  Upon the death of Christian Griesinger, daughter and husband moved into Mary S. Griesinger’s house to care for her mother and to maintain the large house and property.

Trustee, Old Phoenix National Bank, (1964-1991)

1.  Upon the death of Mary S. Griesinger the property was placed in trust for the benefit of her living children’s heirs namely of
Frank Griesinger, Charles Griesinger and Pauline Griesinger McClelland.

Willard Wood and Pauline Griesinger McClelland Residence, (1965-1979)

1.  Pauling Griesinger and husband, Willard continued to live in the family residence continuing to maintain the property
for the benefit of her brothers’ heirs and Trustee.

2.  Willard W. McClelland died in 1979.

Pauline Griesinger McClelland Residence, (1980-1991)

1.  In 1991, the Trustee of the Old Phoenix National Bank sold the Griesinger property to Nobert and Katherine Gariety.

2.  Charles H. Griesinger died in Arizona in 1992.

Norbert F. and Katherine Gariety Residence, (1991-1998)

1.  Nobert and Katherine Gariety sold the property to Jon and Amy Barnes in 1998.

Amy and Jon Barnes Residence, (1998-2004)

Amy Barnes Residence, (2004-Present)

1.  Amy Barnes is publisher of JOY of MEDINA COUNTY MAGAZINE published monthly by Blake House Publishing, LLC, in Medina, Ohio 44256. It is distributed as an e-edition and in a print edition.

2.  Joy Magazine is an independent, locally owned publication with no ties to any franchise or out-of-county
corporation.

Source for historical information on Blake House: Medina County Society Newsletter, Spring – 1991,

“A Tale of Two Houses” The Blake House, Joann King

#4092 Medina Road: Loveland House,-1874, Foote House,-1926

Elijah Boardman  Vacant Medina Township Lot 77 South, 139.46 acres, (1812)

1.  In 1812, Elijah Boardman sold Vacant Lot 77 South to Jonathan Giddings.

Jonathan Giddings (1812-1817)

1.  In 1817, Jonathan Giddings sold 139.46 acres Vacant Lot 77 South back to Elijah Boardman.

Elijah Boardman (1817-1838)

1.  In 1838, Elijah Boardman sold 96.67 acres of Vacant Lot 77 South to William G. Hall.

William G. Hall (1838-1874)

1.  In 1874, William G. Hall sold 96.67 acres of Vacant Lot 77 South to R. L. and Catherine Loveland.

Elijah Boardman (1817-1850)

1.  In 1850, Elijah Boardman sold 20.40 acres of Vacant Lot 77 South to Philetus Munger.

Philetus Munger (1850-1870)

1.  In 1870, Philetus Munger sold 20.40 acres of Vacant Lot 77 South to  William G. Hall.

William G. Hall (1870-1874)

1.  In 1874, William G. Hall sold 20.40 acres of Vacant Lot 77 South to R. L. and Catherine Loveland.

R. L. and Catherine Loveland Residence,(1874-1904)

1.  In 1874, R. L. Loveland came to Medina and bought 194 acres, one and one-fourth miles east of Medina, on which in 1874, he built an elegant brick residence, and had the best farm improvements in the county. He formerly kept a dairy here, having at one time sixty cows, here and in Lorain together, but recently he sold his dairy and has turned his attention to sheep, keeping 160 fine-wool sheep. 

R. L. and Catherine Loveland Residence, 1874

2.  In 1900, R. L. Loveman added several outbuildings to their farm property; a residential detached garage,  sixteen x twenty-four, a flat barn, thirty-six x forty-six, a general-purpose wood pole frame building, twenty x forty and a small dairy barn, ten x twelve.

3.  Mrs. Catherine Loveland died March 3, 1880, of nervous prostration

4.  R. L. Loveland, farmer and stock-dealer, Medina; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, April 6, 1821, and died in 1903.

5. In 1904, the Trustee of the Estate of R. L. Loveland sold the house, outbuildings, and 118.45 acres of Lot 77 South farmland to Simon Moser..

Simon Moser Residence, (1904-1913)                                                                                   

1.  In 1913, Simon Moser sold the house, outbuildings, and 118.45 acres of Lot 77 South farmland to J. H. and Clara Weitzel.

J. H. and Clara Weitzel Residence, (1913-1922)

1.  In 1922, J. H. and Clara Weitzel sold the house, outbuildings, and 118.45 acres of Lot 77 South farmland to Parke C. Biglow.

Parke C. Biglow Residence, (1922-1926)

1.  In 1926, Parke C. Biglow sold the house, outbuildings, and 118.45 acres of Lot 77 South farmland to Earl H. and Dorothy Foote.                                                            

Earl H. and Dorothy Foote Residence, (1926-1966) 

Earl and Dorothy Foote, 1930 Earl Foote, 1950

1.  Earl H. Foote was born in Lafayette Township in 1883. Earl learned telegraphy while attending Medina High School and worked at the B & O RR Agency under W. E. Cleverdon. Earl became agent in Mt. Blanchard in 1900 and worked at Cary, Fostoria and Montpelier, Ohio and Red Key, Indiana.

From his earnings Earl was able to finance his way through Dennison University, graduating in 1909 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. A year later Dennison University conferred a Master‘s Degree on Earl H. Foote. After graduating he sold books to farmers in the Midwest for R. C. Barnum Company, later becoming Vice President in charge of the Minneapolis office.

Earl returned to Medina in 1926 to open a real estate office. The first large allotment of new homes in Medina, the original Oak Street development, was sold by Earl Foote. Earl also sold over one hundred acres of his original Lot 77 South on Akron Road from 1926 to 1959, retaining only 18.45 acres for his house and farm outbuildings and pastures.

Mr. Foote was responsible for many of the larger farm sales in Medina and surrounding Counties. Two of his larger farm deals were the  Horr-Warner 1000-acres swamp farm and Chester Bolton’s Franchester farm, both south of Lodi, Ohio.

Mr. Foote, for many years a member of the Medina County Real Estate Board, served twice as its President. Earl was also a member of the Medina County Board of Education for two terms from 1939-1942. Earl was a member of the Cleveland Farmers Club and the Medina Chamber of Commerce and a 50-year member of the Granville Ohio Masonic Lodge.

Earl and Dorothy Foote Residence, 1939

Earl and Dorothy Foote Residence, November 1950

 Earl and Dorothy Foote Residence March and June 1958

1.  Earl H. Foote died in 1959 and Dorothy Foote died in 1965.

2.  In 1966, the Trustee of the Estate of Dorothy Foote sold the house, outbuildings, and 18.45 acres to Theodore and Elizabeth L. Nirohas.

Theodore and Elizabeth L. Nirohas Residence (1966-1970)                                               

1.  In 1970, Theodore and Elizabeth L. Nirohas sold the house, outbuildings, and 18.45 acres to Ross M. Trump and Edson James Brown.

Ross M. Trump and Edson James Brown Residence, (1970-2020)

1.  In 1995, Ross M. Trump and Edson James Brown added a residential Gazabo to their property.

2.  In 2001, Ross M. Trump and Edson James Brown built a frame-sided, two-story, four-bedroom house at the rear of the Lot 77S and moved their residence from the brick house built in 1874.

3.  In 2001, Ross M. Trump and Edson James Brown added two outbuildings; a residential utility shed and a small livestock barn to their property.

1.  When Ross Trump, a prominent Medina Antique Dealer purchased the “Foote“ farm property in 1970, the property had been vacant for a long-time and it was purported to be haunted. Ross didn't pay any attention to that and restored the home, filling it with beautiful antiques he had acquired in his business over the years, that perfectly matched the 1874 period of the property.

2. Ross Trump died in 2020 and the Trump Antique Auction was held in 2021.

Chris Kalina attended the Ross Trump auction in 2021 and documented by these photos of the incredible antiques before they were gone. Chris said, “It’s an amazing home and I love antiques and Medina history.” Our thanks to Chris Kalina for the courtesy of this posting

Edson James Brown Trustee,  (2020-Present)   16.81 Acres                                  

1.  State of Ohio, ODOT purchased 1.65 acres in 2021 for the Medina Road widening project.

Photographs courtesy of Nancy Foote Mishler, Wooster, Ohio