North Elmwood Street
West Liberty Street north to West Friendship Street
#203-205 West Liberty Street: Bronson Rose Cottage,-1843, Orr House,-1906
Editor’s note: Although the address has always been listed as West Liberty Street, in 1906 when Dr. H. A. Orr built his new home on this lot #149 it also had entrances facing North Elmwood Street as it still does in 2020. Therefore this property will be listed with North Elmwood properties since its history has more continuity here.
In 1843, Hiram Bronson built his Western Reserve-style home called the "Rose Cottage" on the northwest corner of West Liberty and North Elmwood Streets on Lot 149.
Above is a photo of a painting of the Rose Cottage by Sherman Bronson which currently hangs in the Medina County Historical Society.
1. Hiram Bronson was an important figure in the early days of the village. He owned a dry goods store on the corner of North Court and West Liberty Street (the present day location of the coffee shop, Cool Beans), was elected Sheriff of Medina County while in his twenties and served in the Ohio Legislature from 1865 to 1869. He also owned most of the northwest section of the village.
Hiram Bronson Residence, (1843-1871)
1. The “Rose Cottage” was moved to #131 North Elmwood Street in 1871, so Hiram Bronson could build a three story brick house on the old lot #149. In 1906 this brick home was torn down by a contractor.
Hiram Bronson Residence, (1872-1892)
1. Hiram Bronson died in St. Louis in 1892 at the age of 90, while visiting his daughter Helen M, King.
2. Hiram Bronson was the last of his family to live in Medina.
3. He left behind a street that bears his name and a beautiful stained glass window that he and his family donated to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Helen M King Property, Vacant, (1892-1893)
1. Helen M. King sold the Hiram Bronson residence to William Asire in 1894.
William Asire Residence, (1894-1898)
1. William Asire cabinetmaker and undertaker started his business in basement of the Congregational Old Brick Church with E. L. Little from 1850 to 1873. From 1874 to 1897, William Asire was a general furniture dealer and undertaker with his son, Aldis Asire at, their store at 226 South Court Street.
2. William Asire died in 1897 and Aldis Asire sold his father’s property to Louis Sidney Smith in 1898.
Louis Sidney Smith Residence, (1898-1906)
In 1906, Louis Sidney Smith sold the old Bronson corner lot #149, 126” x 256’, to Dr. H. A. Orr and Elmer A. Brown for $4,300. Dr. H. A. Orr will get the corner lot 62’ x 256’ fronting on Liberty Street and the barn on the north end of the lot for $2,675. E. A. Brown will get 62’ x 256’ and the brick house for $1,625. Two-thirds of the Bronson brick house is on Dr. Orr’s property, so E. A. Brown tore it down. Dr. Orr will buy 60’ of the north end of E. A. Brown’s property for $1,200, plus using the E. A. Brown’s 127,000 brick for his new house.
Dr. H. A. Orr Residence, (1906-1924)
1. In 1906, Dr. Orr used the brick of the home built by Hiram Bronson in 1872 and built a new house on the Lot #149.
2. Dr. H. A. Orr sold his property to H. Y. Ziegler in 1924.
Harold Y. Ziegler Residence, (1924-1938)
1. In 1938, Harold Y. Ziegler moved his residence to a home on East Liberty Street.
Dr. R. Graham Johnston Residence, (1938-1946)
Dr. Franklin C. Reutter Offices and Residence (1946-1953)
1. Dr. Reutter has leased the Dr, R. G. Johnson property for his Offices in the first floor and a residence on the second floor in 1946, facing North Elmwood Street.
Komjati Rental Property, Joseph and Steven Komjati, Props. (1953-1968)
1. Dr. R. G. Johnston sold his property to Joseph and Steven Komjati in 1953.
Cunningham and Associates, Thomas Cunningham, Prop. (1968-1988)
1. Joseph and Steven Komjati leased the lower portion of the building to Thomas Cunningham in 1968 and sold the entire building to Thomas Cunningham in 1988.
Cunningham and Associates, Thomas and Daniel Cunningham, Props. (1988-2018)
1. In 1988, Cunningham and Associates moved their offices from the lower level of #205 West Liberty Street to the upper street level facing North Elmwood Street, but now listed as #203 West Liberty Street.
2. Established in 1968, Cunningham and Associates, Inc. is a multidisciplinary engineering, planning and surveying firm located in Medina, Ohio.
#119 North Elmwood Street: Orr House,- 1925
Lot 151 on North Elmwood was owned by Reuben Smith in 1834.
Hiram Bronson Lot 151, (1843-1898)
1. In 1843, Lot 150 and 151 was purchased by Hiram Bronson from Samuel N. Sargent and Reuben Smith.
Louis Smith Lot #150 (1898-1906)
1. Louis Smith sold his lot #150 to Dr. H. S. Orr in 1906.
Dr. H. S. Orr Lot #150 (1906-1925)
Dr. H. S. Orr and Lois Orr Residence, (1925-1932)
1. In 1925, Lois and Dr. H.S. Orr moved into their new home at #119 North Elmwood Street he reserved when he sold his home on the corner of West Liberty and Elmwood Streets to H. Y. Ziegler,
2. “Doc” Orr was Medina County Sheriff in 1904 and U. S. Postmaster in 1911. Dr. H. S. Orr died in 1932.
Mrs. Lois Orr Residence, (1932-1937)
1. Mrs. H .S. Orr rents her Dutch Colonial home in 1935, then sold her household goods and left in 1937.
Maxine M. and H. Paul Borger, renters, (1935-1937)
Edna and Robert Jones, renters, (1937-1944)
Dr. H. P. H. Robinson and Etta Robinson Residence, (1944-1949)
1. Dr. H.P.H. Robinson bought Mrs. Lois Orr home, occupied by Robert Jones and moved in 1944,
2. Dr. Robinson came to Medina in 1909, in Private Medical Practice until 1940, then Medina County Health Commissioner from 1940-1945.
3. Bob Foskett said that Dr. Robinson led the Memorial Day Parade on horseback in the early 1940’s.
Effa Robinson Residence, (1949-1964)
1. Effa Robinson sold the property to Fred Greenwood in 1964.
2. Fred Greenwood converted the house into rental use in 1964.
Maurice C. Fielder renter, (1964-1966)
Lillian E. McCarty, renter, (1966-1969)
John G. Kelly, renter, (1966-1969)
Lee S. Wamsley, renter, (1971-1979)
Timothy and Bonnie Schmitz, Residence, (1975-1979)
1. Fred Greenwood sold his rental property to Timothy and Bonnie Schmitz in 1975.
2. Bonnie Schmitz sold her interest in the property to Timothy Schmitz in 1980.
Timothy Schmitz Residence, (1980-1988)
Debra Lynn Residence, (1982-1987)
1. President of the Medina Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 2014
Debra Lynn-Schmitz and Timothy Schmitz, Residence, (1988-2014)
Renz Insurance Agency, Inc., (2016-Present)
#125 North Elmwood Street: Fisk House,-1924
Orr and Gates Batteries, Dr. H. S. Orr and Will Gates, Props. (1920-1924)
1. Dr. H. S. Orr sold the lot next to his residence to Etta B. and Fred C. Fisk in 1924.
Etta B. and Fred C. Fisk Residence, (1924-1926)
1. Fred Fisk built a new house on his lot in 1924.
2. In 1926, Fred Fisk sold his newly built home across from new Masonic Temple to Nellie Arlie and Charles W. Adams.
Charles W. Adams Lumber Company and Residence, (1926-1939)
Marie and Percy C. Fenn Residence, (1939-1973)
1. Marie and Percy Charlie Fenn bought the Adams home in 1939
2. Percy Fenn won the1940 Christmas lights contest for his home,
Charles A. Wahlstron, renter, (1966-1969)
Irvin R. Heller, renter, (1969-1971)
Fern Marie Fenn Residence, (1973-1986)
1. Percy Charles Fenn died in 1973 and property was transferred to spouse Fern Marie Fenn in 1976.
Harold F. Bradrick, renter, (1971-1982)
Mark Orlandi Residence, (1986-1992)
1. Mark Orlandi acquired the property from Fern Marie Fenn in 1986.
2. Mark Orlandi converted the property to rental use in 1993.
Michael A. Gaitten, renter, (1993-1996)
Bill Cumbee, renter, (1997-1998)
Mary Kasper, Kasper and Associates, (1997-1999)
Amy Kaspar, Kasper and Associates, (1997-2004)
1. Mark Orlandi sold his rental property to Amy S. Kaspar in 1997.
Gorsek and Company, John F. Gorsek, CPA, Prop. (2002-2018)
#130 North Elmwood Street: Selkirk House, 1900, Masonic Lodge Bldg.-1925
Masonic Lodge, Number 58, F. and A. M. (1819-2017)
1. The Medina Masonic Lodge was founded by Elijah Boardman and twenty Medina County pioneers in 1819.
Rufus Ferris presided as the first Master of Lodge 58 and Mrs. Searle and Mrs. Bronson served as Grand Mistresses of the Day. The fact that it was established only one year after the village itself was plotted makes it the earliest organization of its kind in the surrounding community, for the membership was gathered from a twenty-five mile radius.
2. The first officers were: Worshipful Master, Abraham Freese; Senior Warden, Rufus Ferris, Sr.; Junior Warden, Seth Blood.
3. The first meeting was held in the home of the Reverend Mr. Roger Searle, the Episcopal Missionary; the consecration was conducted at the courthouse in 1820 by Brother John Snow, Grand Master of Ohio.
4. The meetings were continued in the Reverend Searle's home until 1824, when the Anti-Masonic movement developed. This protest movement that lasted about ten years almost wiped out all fraternal groups nationally, but the Medina meetings were re-instituted in 1826 at Brunswick by the Grand Lodge. There they continued for less than a year and then returned to the Medina courthouse. However, the Masons were again forced to return to Brunswick for their meetings in 1829, where they remained until 1832, when the Lodge was permitted to return to Medina permanently. At the last meeting in 1832 the names of the following officers appeared on the roster: Worshipful Master, W. A. Miles; Senior Warden, A. Berdan; Junior Warden, Charles Alcott; Secretary, John Reese.
5. John Been, the secretary, kept the records until his death, at which time they were lost. They re-appeared fortunately in 1842, but the charter was still missing. A new charter was issued in 1843 by the Worshipful Master of the Grand Lodge, Brother William Reese.
6. The officers under the new charter were the following: Worshipful Master, W. A. Miles; Senior Warden, A. Berdan; Junior Warden. Charles Alcott. After the re-organization of 1843, the home of P. E. Munger in Medina was used as the meeting place for the officers and the fourteen members of the lodge.
7. New difficulties developed when the charter was stolen and therefore had to be suspended. A new charter, with the same officers, was issued in 1849. With the growing number of members, the Medina Lodge embarked upon plans for the building of a temple in 1870. Land was purchased and a building fund created; however, enthusiasm diminished, and the fund-raising died down.
8. Therefore the Medina Masons continuously occupied the "Old Masonic Hall. - which was located on an upper floor in the Smith-Albro Block on the northwest corner of South Court and West Washington Streets, from 1876 to 1927, a period of almost half a century.
9. It was not until 1912 that the building fund was actively revived. By 1924 enough money was accumulated to start construction of a temple.
Selkirk House, (1900-1924)
1. In 1924, the Masons purchased the old Selkirk house and property on North Elmwood from the Louis Selkirk estate.
2. In 1924, the Masonic Temple purchased a strip of land from the rear end of Stow White’s property on North Elmwood Street and the Selkirk home will be moved there and remodeled into a double house to rent. A 12’ court will be made between the White and Masonic properties.
3. Adjacent property owners E. D. Lowe, Ozra Stowe and Edith A. White, Clara Ulmer Hallock and M. O. Hallock and Nathan H. McClure sold parcels of their properties to the Masonic Temple in 1925.
Masonic Temple, (1926-2017)
1. The building committee consisted of George S. Mellert, G. W. Reinhardt, G. W. Wilder, P. C Bigelow, and N. H. McClure.
2. They will erect a Masonic Temple with 120’ frontage on North Elmwood Street, 200’ deep, with access of 17’ across on West Liberty Street
3. The plans for the Temple were prepared by Ridley and Glazier, architects of Akron. T. Ralph Ridley, architect of the Masonic Temple and the new high school building on North Broadway Street was born in Bury-St.-Edmunds, England.
4. The construction was carried out by the Clemmer and Johnson Company, also of Akron at a cost of $100,000.
5. The cornerstone of the present Masonic Temple on North Elmwood Street was laid on October 26, 1924. The construction went rapidly, and on July 1, 1925, it was completed and dedicated on July 1, 1926.
6. The temple itself symbolizes the principles of Masonry. It is an imposing structure of rough grey brick trimmed with stone, of Greek Ionic style. The interior construction is of fireproof material with adequate stairways and exits to accommodate large crowds when necessary
7. The interior decorating was done by E. C. Lentz and Son; furnishings were supplied by Longacre and Son; and carpets and draperies were purchased from E. C. Ziegler and Son.
Circa 1924... The Main Meeting room of the Medina Masonic Temple on Elmwood Street... Note the 46 star flag that was used from 1908 to 1912....
8. An outside firm negotiating for new movie theater here 1937 on the East side of the Public Square. The location was offered to Willis and Yudelevitz, but they turned it down.
9. In 1937, part of Masonic Temple to become movie theater and they will extend 1st floor 50’ to East at a cost of $23,000.
10. Medina Schine Theater opened on Jan 4 1938 at Masonic Temple that seats 1000 patrons with streamlined chairs and davenports in the lobby. A 150’ ramp from West Liberty Street to the lobby was added as required by state law.
11. Medina Schine Theater remodeled in 1949. For more of the history of the Schine Theater refer to #139 West Liberty Street address.
12. The Lobby in the Masonic Temple facing N. Elmwood Street was made into offices for Dr. Morris Wildrom, in 1946 to 1956.
13. In 1965, the Masonic Temple added an elevator in the building at a cost of $30,000.
14. In 1966, the present officers of the Medina Masonic Lodge are: Worshipful Master, Wilbur Hertel; Senior Warden, Gerald Wagar; Junior Warden, Gurdon Morris; Treasurer, Worshipful Brother Harry Vaughn; Secretary, W. B. Maynard Schafer; Senior Deacon, Cornell Starr; Junior Deacon, Marion Stambaugh; Tyler (Guard),
James Yoxtheimer. The Medina Masonic Lodge, Number 58, F. and A. M., is at present composed of approximately 500 members.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Medina Historical Society, The History of Medina County. Fostoria, Ohio, Gray Printing Co., 1948.
15.. The 23,200-square-foot building was constructed in stages between 1924 and 1949. In 2003, the Masonic Temple was added to The National Register of Historic Places. It is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966,
16. After dropping out of negotiations to buy the historic Masonic Temple earlier in 2015, Medina City officials in July, 2015 placed the winning bid of $258,000 for the property at an auction and voted in July 2016 to demolish the building.
#131 North Elmwood Street: Bronson Rose Cottage,1871, Ainsworth House,-1894
In 1843, Hiram Bronson built his house called the "Rose Cottage" on the northwest corner of West Liberty and North Elmwood Streets.
The “Rose Cottage” was moved to #131 North Elmwood Street in 1871, so Hiram Bronson could build his new house on the corner lot.
Hiram Bronson Residence, (1871-1872)
Helen M. King Property, (1873-1894)
1. Helen M. King was the daughter of Hiram Bronson and lived in St. Louis, but used the Rose Cottage as a summer home.
Judah Throop Ainsworth Residence, (1894-1920)
1. Helen M. King sold her property to Louisa Ainsworth in 1896.
2. J. T. Ainsworth raised the Rose Cottage in 1896 and built a larger house on Lot 151 for his family.
Louisa Ainsworth, Carrie Ruth Ainsworth Clark and Thomas Clark Residence, (1920-1933)
1. Mrs. J. T. Ainsworth, daughter Carrie Ruth Ainsworth Clark and Elmer Thomas Clark married and moved in 1920,
2. Louisa Ainsworth died in 1933.
Carrie Ruth Ainsworth Clark and Thomas Clark Residence, (1933-1948)
Lena Ainsworth Residence, (1949-1964)
1. Lena Ainsworth sold her property to James and Louise Ainsworth Brown in 1964.
2. Lena Ainsworth died in 1970.
Leroy E. Bittner, renter, (1951-1955)
James N. Brown and Louise Ainsworth Brown Residence, (1964-1969)
1. James N. Brown died in 1969.
Louise Ainsworth Brown Residence, (1969-1979)
1. Louise Brown sold her property to the City of Medina in 1979.
Medina Municipal Court House Parking Lot, (1982-Present)
#132 North Elmwood Street: Crane House,-c.-1900
Property Owners: James Warner, (1832-1853); J. T. Ainsworth, (1853-1863); James H. and Willis H. Albro, (1866-1902)
Samuel and Maria Crane Residence, (1902-1909)
Clara Crane Residence, (1910-1911)
Clara Crane Rental Property, (1910-1914)
Dr. H.P.H. Robinson rents lower level, (1910-1914) and Clara Crane lives on second floor, (1910-1911); F. A. Young, rental, (1911-1912); Ralph Boyden, rental, (1913);
1. Outside closet for sale, newly painted with a slate roof and in excellent condition in 1911.
2. Dr. H. P. H. Robinson moves his residence to 72 Public Square in 1914.
Ozro Stowe and Edith White Residence, (1914-1943)
1. Clara Crane sold house and 2 lots to Edith and Ozro Stowe White and they remodeled the inside in 1914.
2. Edith and Ozro Stowe (Stowell) White came to Medina in 1902; Stowe joined the Medina Band in 1902 under Will Wall and served as Director in later years; He maintained a music shop in his residence from 1915 to 1953.
3. Stowe was a carpenter and worked in A. I. Root saw room. He also operated a taxi between Medina and Wadsworth from 1916 to 1918, but stopped due to lack of patronage.
4. Stowe also operated a taxi between Medina and Wadsworth from 1916 to 1918, but stopped due to lack of patronage.
5. Stowe was the town night watchman from 1920 to 1924; a night watchman at Medina Farmers Exchange from 1937 to 1945; a custodian at the Masonic Temple from 1924 to 1953.
6. Stowe White joined Medina KofP Band in 1902 under Willis Wall, served as director later years and had a music shop at residence 1915-1953.
7 Stowe White (KofP bandleader) property to be purchased for a City Hall for $21,000 in 1953. The property backs up to the Water Department building.
Dr. Kenneth G. Robinson, Optometrist. (1955-1961)
1. Stowe White Estate house and property sold to Stanley L Hartman, U. S. Post Master in 1955.
2. Hartman converted the house into 3 office suites rented by Dr Kenneth G Robinson, optometrist and Andrew H. Dudas, realtor from 1956 to 1957.
3. City of Medina purchased the Stanley Hartman property on North Elmwood Street for $3,500 in 1962.
City of Medina Town Hall, (1962-1973)
Finance Department; Service Director; Engineer Offices; Utility Office
Mayors Offices at 132 North Elmwood Street
James Brown (Jan. 1962-Jun. 1963)
Augustus Eble (Jun. 1963-Dec. 1963)
Jacob Suddleson (Jan. 1964-Dec. 1965)
Fred Greenwood (Jan. 1966-Dec. 1973)
1. In September 1972, Ordinance 92-72 authorized the Mayor to enter into a contract with Jerome E. Romis and Associates, Architects, for plans and estimates for the construction of a Municipal Building and declaring an emergency.
2. In April, 1973, Medina City Council contemplates issuing $790,000 of bond anticipation notes (5.875%) for the purpose of constructing and equipping a municipal building and improving the said site, of which $690,000 is proposed to be expended for constructing such municipal building and $100,000 for furnishings and site improvements.
City of Medina Municipal Building, (1973-Present)
Mayors in Office:
Fred Greenwood (Jan. 1966-Dec. 1973)
August Eble (Jan. 1974-Dec. 1981)
William C. Lamb (Jan. 1982-Dec. 1989)
James S. Roberts (Jan. 1990-Dec. 2001)
Jane E. Leaver (Jan. 2002-Dec. 2009)
Dennis Hanwell (Jan. 2010-Present)
1. In December 1973, Mayor Fred Greenwood reported that the lights will be left on at the new Municipal Building due to the large amount of vandalism that has been taking place.
City of Medina combined lots 141-142-144-145-147 and 148 in 1985 for City Hall and public parking.
The former Medina City Municipal Parking Lot was converted to a covered two deck parking structure in 2020.
#135 North Elmwood Street: Municipal Court House Bldg.-1982
1. The Medina Municipal Court jurisdiction includes the cities of Brunswick and Medina, Spencer and Chippewa Lake villages, and 11 townships (Liverpool, Brunswick Hills, Hinckley, Litchfield, York, Medina, Granger, Spencer, Chatham, Lafayette, and Montville).
2. The Court handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; traffic and civil cases, including personal injury, contract disputes, small claims, and evictions; and acts in thousands of cases to enforce and collect civil judgments for individuals and businesses.
August Eble, Mayor, (1974-1981)
1. Resolution 28-81 was signed by Mayor, August Elbe, on March 11, 1981 establishing City lots 151 and 152 at the corner of North Elmwood and West Friendship Streets as the location of the new Municipal Court facility.
2. In March 1981, Mayor Eble was authorized to enter into a contract with Ronald Kohanski, Architect for design and plans for construction of a Municipal Court Building at a cost of $35,000.
3. In July 1981, Mayor was authorized to enter into a contract to purchase real estate at 137 North Elmwood Street at a cost of $4,000.
William C. Lamb, Mayor, (1982-1989)
4. In April 1982, the City of Medina renewed their contract with Hallock Properties to lease the Municipal Court in the building at the northwest corner of North Court and West Friendship Streets.
5. In May 1982, the Service Director was authorized to advertise for bids for the construction of a Municipal Court facility in the amount of $615,000 as an emergency measure due to the fire that destroyed the current Municipal Court building recently leased.
6. In September, 1982, the Medina Municipal Court facility now under construction was dedicated to Mayor August Elbe and Mayor and Judge C. B. McClure for their services to the City of Medina.
7. In November, 1982 a City of Medina ordinance authorized the installation of an elevator in the Municipal Court building at a cost of $27,000.
Municipal Court Judges:
Judge Elizabeth Winter, (1958-1963)
Judge Carroll C. McClure, (1964-1981)
Judge Kermit Neely, (1981-1987)
Judge Dale Chase, (1988-2017)
Judge Gary F. Werner, (2017-Present)
1. Judge Gary F. Werner was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a B.A. in economics, summa cum laude, from the University of California at Los Angeles, a J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, and he is a Phi Beta Kappa member. Judge Werner was in private law practice for approximately 23 years before his election to the bench.
#137 North Elmwood Street: Bishop House,-1871
William Root sold Lot 152 to Reuben Smith in 1834.
Reuben Smith sold Lot 152 to Hiram Bronson in 1843.
Hiram Bronson sold Lot 152 to Abner A. Bishop in 1871.
Abner B. Bishop Residence, (1871-1909)
1. Abner B. Bishop sold his property to Catherine Elder and John A. Gates for $1,475 in 1909.
Catherine Elder and John A. Gates Residence, (1909-1916)
1. John H. Gates village Night Watchman was killed by Town Marshal H.L. Blakeslee in 1916.
2. Mrs. Gates gets $3,363.36 for her husband being killed by Henry Blakeslee from the state industrial commission.
Catherine Elder Gates and Effie Gates Residence, (1916-1928)
1. In 1916, Miss Effie Gates, stenographer in the County School Superintendent’s office, resigned to accept a position at Oatman’s Hardware.
2. Catherine Elder Gates widow of John H. Gates died in 1928.
Evelyn R. and William E. Gates and Effie Gates Residence, (1928-1930)
1. Gates Estate sold property to Catherine Elder Gates’ brother, William A. Elder, Assistant U. S. Postmaster, in 1930.
Effie Gates Residence, (1928-1966)
1. Effie was one of five children born in Centre County, Pennsylvania to John Henry Gates and Catherine Elizabeth Elder. She moved with her family to Medina, Ohio in March 1903 and graduated from Medina High School.
2. She also attended the Oberlin Business School and worked for many years in the offices of the A. I. Root Company. Effie was the quintessential loving "dear aunt" who doted on her family. On March 15, 1967 she married Adolph Anderson. He passed away in 1970.
Marie J. Elder Thomas, widow of Willis C. Thomas, renter, (1940-1948)
1. William A. Elder, A. I. Root sawyer for 40 yrs, died at the home of his sister Marie Elder Thomas in Effie Gates’ house in 1947.
2. Property of William A. Elder Estate was sold to sister, Effie Gates in 1947.
Austin Witter, renter, 2nd floor, (1960-1966)
Harold B. And Anneliese Gilliland Residence, (1966-1981)
1. Effie Gates sold her property to Harold and Anneliese Gilliland in 1966.
2. Harold Gilliland sold his property to the City of Medina in 1981.
Medina City Municipal Court House, (1982-2018)
#138 North Elmwood Street: Jennings House,-c-1902
Harriet Jennings Residence, (1902-1918)
Frank L. Harding Residence, (1918-1942)
Gordon and Ethel Holden Residence, (1942-1955)
William and Goldie Penrose, (1955-1966)
City of Medina Municipal Building, (1966-Present)
City of Medina combined lots 141-142-144-145-147 and 148 in 1985 for City Hall and public parking.
#146 North Elmwood Street: Wall House,-c.-1902
William and Dolores Wall Residence (1902-1928)
Charles H. and Marcia Iper, Residence, (1928-1947)
Carl J. and Ethel Anderson Residence, (1947-1955)
Guy and Ethel Penrose Residence, (1955-1966)
1. Guy Penrose lives at #146 and rents #138 and has agreed to sell both, #146 on a 3 year option and #138for cash.
2. The tract will be 217 feet on North Elmwood Street and 256 on West Friendship Street not including a small quonset hut on Friendship, a commercial building owned by C. J. Anderson. The tract does include the City Water Department building.
City of Medina Municipal Building, (1967-Present Mayors in Office:
Fred Greenwood (Jan. 1966-Dec. 1973)
August Eble (Jan. 1974-Dec. 1981)
William C. Lamb (Jan. 1982-Dec. 1989)
James S. Roberts (Jan. 1990-Dec. 2001)
Jane E. Leaver (Jan. 2002-Dec. 2009)
Dennis Hanwell (Jan. 2010-Present)
City of Medina combined lots 141-142-144-145-147 and 148 in 1985 for City Hall and public parking.
North Elmwood Street
From West Friendship Street looking south to West Liberty Street
#206 North Elmwood Street: John Smart House,-1886
John and Julia Smart Residence, (1886-1902)
1. In 1884, Henry Paull sold part Lot #138 to John and Julia Smart.
2. The John Smart house was built in 1886 by Dillon P. Clark for John Smart a well-known village proprietor.
3. Inland Architect Magazine in 1886 says that D. P. Clark of West Bay City, MI had plans in preparation to build a two story frame house, 32x60 feet, with a shingle roof for John Smart for a cost of $4000. Dillon P Clark of Medina moved to Bay City, MI in January, 1883.
4 John Smart, a metal worker, brought the foundry industry to Medina which greatly helped its economy due to the time period.
5. Benny Smart, son of John Smart, foreman of Medina County Foundry died in February, 1877 of lung fever and measles.
6. John and his wife, Julia, and daughters, Anna and Maud, lived in the house until 1900 when they moved to Cleveland to be closer to their daughters.
7. Widow Julia Smart died in Lakewood, Ohio at the home of daughters Mrs. Merta E. Branch and Mrs. John A. Stanton in 1928.
Anna M. Stanton Property, (1900-1902)
1. H. A. Caswell livery proprietor moved into John Smart house in 1900 and Watters and Greisinger rent the 1st floor in 1900.
2. The Lefferty family and Elisha Beedle, the blacksmith, moved into the Stanton house on North Elmwood Street in 1900.
3. Mrs. O. M. Jackson and the family of J. A. Hobart moved into the Smart house in 1901.
Orlo and Adelaide Jackson Residence, (1902-1913)
1. Anna M. Stanton sold the John Smart property and lot #138 to Addie M. and O. M. Jackson for $4200 in 1902.
2. Orlo Jackson was a cabinet maker and undertaker and his wife Adelaide Jackson, a millinery proprietor on Public Square for over 30 years.
3. P.C. Bigelow (auctioneer) moved into the Jackson house with H. A. Caswell this winter of 1904.
4. A. H. Maury (car inspector for Northern Ohio RR) moved into Mrs. Jackson’s house in 1907.
5. H. F. Gable moved into Mrs. O. M. Jackson’s house in 1910.
6. C. M. Rhodes (merchant) moved out in 1912.
7. Mrs. O. M. Jackson died 1913 and the house is for sale in north part of town for $4200.
8. Mrs. A. F. Hanley (dressmaker) moved into the Jackson house in 1913.
William Benson and Leonora Baldwin Residence, (1913-1926)
1. The William Benson Baldwin family bought the home in 1913.
2. The William Baldwin was the owner and editor of the Medina County Gazette which also meant that his home was the social and political area of the town.
3. The Studio of Mrs. W. B. Baldwin for voice and song interpretation and the E. J. Miller piano studio opened in 1915.
4. In 1915 a Baldwin Musicale by Leonora Baldwin was held in their home in 1915.
5. The Baldwin family consisted of two loving parents, a daughter, and two mischievous boys. The Baldwin boys were also known for laying the remaining brick roads that are still in Medina.
6. The W. B. Baldwin family has a St. Bernard dog named ‘Big Boy’.
7. An abandoned chicken house at the W.B. Baldwin’s home burned in 1923 by small boys using it as a clubhouse. They left a running fire in the stove while they were out Indian fighting.
William L. and Pearl Hammerschmidt Residence, (1926-1934)
1. The home was purchased by William L. Hammerschmidt in 1926 who owned a florist shop and greenhouse on West Friendship Street.
2. He and his family lived in the house until 1934, when they moved into their home at #113 West Friendship Street vacated by Raymond Bennett.
William Benson and Leonora Baldwin Rental Property, (1934-1938)
1. William B. Baldwin repurchased the property from William Hammerschmidt in 1934 and advertised the home for sale all of 1935 for a rental business.
Medina Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 2224, (1938-1941)
1. The Medina Eagles, Aerie No. 2224 bought the W. B. Baldwin property at the corner of Friendship and Elmwood Streets in 1938.
2. In 1938, Medina Eagles Aerie made extensive repairs, remodeled the basement, added a new furnace and made a new parking lot
3 In 1941, the Medina Eagles Aerie at the corner of North Elmwood and West Friendship Street advertised their building with 10 rooms and a bath for sale; could be rented as a double dwelling.
4. In 1941, the Medina Eagles moved to their newly build lodge building at #79 South Broadway Street.
F. H. Harper Residence and Rental Property, (1941-1949)
1. F. H. Harper purchased the property from the Medina Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1941 to turn into dwelling apartments,
Frances Ward Montgomery Rental Property, (1949-1973)
1. Frances Montgomery inherited the property from the estate of F. H. Harper in 1949.
2. Frances Montgomery leased the house and property to the Medina County Commissioners on consecutive leases dated in 1962, 1966 and 1970.
Medina County Board of Education Offices, (1949-1973)
1. In 1949, the home housed Medina County Government offices, primarily the Medina County Board of Education under lease agreement until 1973.
Medina County Board of Education Offices, (1973-1984)
1. Frances Montgomery sold the lot and house at #206 North Elmwood to the Medina County Commissioners in 1973.
Medina County Historical Society Museum, (1985-Present)
1. In 1985, the Medina County Historical Society acquired the house from the Medina County Commissioners and named the museum the “John Smart House”.
2. Through the years the Historical Society members have worked hard to restore the Victorian home to its original splendor.
3. We must preserve the John Smart house forever because it will forever preserve Medina.
1. In March of 1922, the Medina County Historical Society was formed. On March 22nd the group was formed, on March 25th paperwork was notarized and on March 30th we became a legal entity!
2. The Charter members of the Society were Clara M Ainsworth, C.D. Freeman, Blake McDowell, Clara S. Wheatley, and Nathan H. McClure.
3. From very humble beginnings renting 2 rooms in the Vittel Boarding House, to the basement of the Franklin Sylvester Library, to Cora Munson leaving the Munson House to us in her Will in 1956, then on to the John Smart House in 1984 to adding the McDowell-Phillips House in 2019. We have been very fortunate to have the support of the Medina County Community to continue this long.
4. We hope to be around another 100 years protecting and preserving the history and heritage of Medina County!!!