By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Editor
MOUNT VERNON – Knox Landmarks Foundation held its annual meeting Thursday at the Memorial Building to reveal the list of endangered properties and to reward those in the community for their efforts in historic preservation.
The endangered list includes the Bladensburg School which closed in 2013. It was originally built in 1938. Efforts are underway to turn the space into a community center.
Also listed as endangered is the Luston House on Lamartine Street. The building is a pre-fab house circa 1950. There were only 2500 of these all-stainless steel homes made which were shipped in crates and assembled.
The Fredericktown Cemetery is one of 158 cemeteries in Knox County. The oldest gravesite is dated 1813 and today many tombstones have been destroyed. Efforts to restore the cemetery are underway.
Other properties listed as endangered are Mount Calvary Church on South Mulberry Street, Round Hill Mansion on Curtis Street which features Italianate architecture, wide overhanging cornices and a series of tunnels; the old Mount Vernon Middle/High School on North Mulberry Street, and The Office bar on Ohio Avenue.
2017 Landmark Businesses recognized were Foster’s Pharmacy, Snyder Funeral Homes, and The Alcove.
Left to right, Heidi Hatfield, Foster’s Pharmacy; Katie Wright, The Alcove; Wes Snyder, Snyder Funeral Homes – KP Photo
An Outstanding Architectural Contribution award was given to Kenyon College for the restored Buckeye Candy Building, now known as the Wright Center.
Phyllis Williams was named Volunteer of the Year.
The award for Landmark Preservation was given to Rachel Mackall for Door 142 restaurant & bar in Fredericktown.
Mark Ramser was honored with the award for Individual Contribution for Historic preservation. He’s been involved in a plethora of historic preservation projects.
Landmarks Foundation President Jeff Gottke outlined upcoming projects including a county registry of historic places and a downtown church tour scheduled to take place during this year’s Christmas Walk November 26th.
Gottke encouraged new members to join and to help with projects, submit ideas and donate. The organization’s website is knoxlandmarks.org.
Left to right, Phillis Williams, Volunteer; Jen Odenweller, Kenyon College; Mark Ramser, preservationist; Rachel Mackall, Door 142 – KP Photo
