Mantua Twp. – If you’re from the area, you may not recognize the history contained here. Luckily, generations of forward-thinking folks have worked diligently over the years to help their small communities move forward while maintaining some significant pieces of the past. In Mantua Township, the Mantua Historical Society is working together with the township trustees in order to help preserve and protect the community’s early 19th century crossroads Township center.
Records indicate that while the earliest settlers came to the area in 1798, Mantua Township’s origin began in 1810. The heart (crossroads) of the township is still beating, serving as a location for regular meetings, worship services, and remembrance. The structures included in the area currently preserved on the National Register of Historic Places date from 1835-1840.
In 1974, the Mantua Center Historic District was established and listed on the National Register (NR#74001607). It includes the Christian Church (MCCC), public common (Township Green), Methodist Church (Civic Center), White-Carlton House (11695 Mantua Center Road) and the Baker-Carlton House (4103 State Route 82).
The new expanded district is proposed to include the previously registered historic district (shown in red on the illustration), as well as the Mantua Center School (NR#13000682), West Lawn Cemetery, East Lawn Cemetery, and adjacent properties. The proposed district is highlighted in a slideshow that was presented by Naylor Wellman LLC at a public meeting in the township in October. The presentation can be viewed at www.mantuatownship.gov by clicking the ‘Announcements’ tab in the upper navigation.
While being included on the National Historic Register doesn’t cost included homeowners anything, nor does it impede what they do to their homes, registry does provide several potential benefits. These include access to potential State and Federal grants and tax credits for planning and rehabilitation of structures. In addition, preservation easements can be granted to nonprofit organizations.
Lynn Harvey from the Mantua Historical Society shared, “The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires careful and detailed consideration of any project, such as ODOT’s proposed roundabout at that intersection, which would destroy protected history.” Harvey referred to the ODOT plan to install a roundabout within the district, at the intersection of State Route 82 and Mantua Center Road. The roundabout would be similar in size to the roundabout at the intersection of State Route 82 and Chamberlain Road, also in Mantua Township.
According to Harvey, historic preservation consultants Naylor & Wellman, who have been retained by the township, are doing research and composing an application. The application for inclusion will first go to the State of Ohio Historic Preservation Office in early January. According to Harvey, there is a 60-day review period which allows for revisions as needed.
Harvey noted that property owners impacted by the proposed historic district would be notified by certified mail of the proposal. Further, she noted that if all proceeds as anticipated, the application will be reviewed in Columbus in June 2023. If approved, the proposal will be submitted to the National Park Service for a final decision. If all proceeds as anticipated, the proposed expanded Historic District could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in October 2023.
Harvey encourages residents to review the presentation by Naylor & Wellman in order to find out more about the project particulars. She noted that the Historical Society is also gathering and compiling family histories and local knowledge of the historic structures to be document in the society’s museum and to benefit this project.
Individuals can stop by the Mantua Historical Society’s Museum, located on the second floor of the Township Hall, from 10 am until noon on Thursdays through November. Those interested in sharing family or local information can reach out to mantuahistorical@gmail.com or visit the Mantua Historical Society’s Facebook page.
