Commission recommends historic designations

The city of Avon Lake will consider giving historic landmark designation status to three properties.

At the Oct. 16 collective committee meeting, Ward II Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch presented recommendations from the city’s planning commission for three properties and one object.

The recommendations will require approval from Avon Lake City Council and public hearings. Fenderbosch said first readings will be held at the Oct. 23 city council meeting with public hearings slated for Dec. 11. All four

items are expected to go three readings with potential passage on Dec. 18.

The locations include the Krebs Farm at 520 Lear Road, the Lear Homestead at 309 Lear Road and two applications by Thomasina Patton for the Artstown building in addition to the restored #38 Lake Shore Electric Railway baggage car currently situated in the parking lot of the Artstown Plaza. All four items have been reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board.

The Krebs Farms has a documented history dating back to 1824 with the original structure being built around 1857. The property operated as a working farm between 1846-1943.

The 160-year-old farmhouse owned by the Rider family since 1979, the recommendation notes the

numerous distinct characteristics of the property in design and has survived the development around it. Additions to the property throughout its history been consistent to the character of the house.

The Lear Homestead was built in 1840 by Sebastian Loher (the German spelling of Lear) whose youngest son became Avon Lake’s first councilman. The second oldest home in Avon Lake on the east side of Lear Road, the property is an example of Greek revival architecture along with an original granary, doors, windows and stone walls.

The Artstown building façade and the #38 baggage car speak to Avon Lake’s history as a stop on the Lake Shore Electric Railway.

Home to a number of businesses and restaurants, the owners of the Artstown building have preserved many of the

distinct architectural features adding to its uniqueness along with its history as an integral part of early transportation.

“Until the introduction of the automobile, it served as a major conveyor of produce, supplies and people. The station has served as an extremely important historic landmark in Avon Lake,” the recommendation read.

According the to the recommendation, the Patton family have owned the railcar for a number of years and have restored it to “better than new condition” and displayed prominently where Beach Park Station once resided in the early 20th century.

Fenderbosch noted to council that the Pattons have indicated their desire to rebrand the area to bring back the importance of the former Beach Park Station location then known as stop #65.