The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City pitches plan to purchase historic home
The city of Avon will consider purchasing the historic Cahoon House.
In a presentation at Avon City Council on Aug. 13, a proposal to purchase the Cahoon House, one of the city’s most emblematic properties located at 2940 Stoney Ridge Road, was pitched by Mayor Bryan Jensen and Sheri Seroka, a business development consultant with the City of Avon.
The presentation cited the opportunity to preserve an important piece of the city’s history along with the potential for numerous other benefits.
“I know I looked at it five years ago and said what a great piece of artwork it is and just what a great home it is. So I talked to Mrs. (Jean) Fischer a long time ago and said if you are ever interested I’m sure the city would like to take a look about it,” Jensen said.
Seroka envisioned the home serving Avon as a multi-use facility in utilizing the home for business meetings and small private events along with the potential to develop it into a welcome center for a visitor’s bureau or in conjunction with the Avon Historical Society as a place to house some of the city’s artifacts.
She noted while Avon’s rapid growth is exciting, there is value in preserving history.
“I think at the same time it chiefly is important for us to recognize the preservation of our history so as to never forget where we came from,” Seroka said.
“I think it brings both value and meaning to the community to preserve our history and the legacy of the (Wilbur)Cahoon family and all those who came after him as caretakers of that house and helped build the story of Avon as we know it today.”
Jensen said he would consult individually with city council member on Aug. 14 and will move forward with negotiations on the home’s purchase if consensus is there. He sees the move as one way Avon can strategically preserve historic parts of the city as a way to manage growth and develop
“The one thing we can do is preserve different pieces of property and do what we can to divide property so that some people can’t develop that and that’s all we can do,” Jensen said. “I think me and my role as mayor is I’m entrusted to try to do what I can to do what’s best for the community and I hope Council will look at this as another opportunity to save another piece of our history.
The Cahoon House, a Greek revival style farmhouse was constructed in 1825, and is one of the oldest frame houses in Lorain County and was built by Avon’s first permanent settler, Wilbur Cahoon. The home was purchased in 1966 by Jean Fischer and her late husband, Dr. Delbert Fischer who have maintained and preserved the property’s historical integrity.