The Lake Township Historical Society will hold their “Tour of Historical Landmarks” on Sunday, June 23rd from 1 to 5 pm.
This year’s tour features some of the oldest historical buildings in the Township.
One building is a 1800s barn owned by David and Linda Herbert since 1964. They have converted the barn into a unique and beautiful cedar board and batten clad 19th century 5,000 square foot home. The landscaping includes a koi pond, brick walkways, many trees, flowers and shrubs. The surrounding private patios are nice places to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Also on the tour is a one-room schoolhouse where Cairo Hartville children attended school until 1927 when schools were consolidated.
This home has been Patti and Rickey Hines’ labor of love since they bought it from the Brumbaugh family who originally owned it in the 1800s. Rick’s carpenter skills are evident in the two story home, winding staircase and custom furniture. The landscaping with its roses, picket fences, fruit trees, window boxes and flower beds are reminiscent of years gone by.
Just south on Route 43, a curving lane leads up to “LaFox at Twin Pines,” the home of Dr. Richard and Wilma Werstler. The barn was restored in 1993 and the home restored and enhanced under the direction of Geary Moore Ahrens, the architect who designed The McKinley Museum. A tour of the grounds will include a smoke house, corn crib, milk house, play house, office building surrounded by flower beds and a stocked fishing pond.
The first Church built in Lake Township was the East Nimishillen Church of the Brethren. Across the road and around the church is a cemetery with the headstones of Lake Township founders and ancestors. The second church on the tour is St. Jacobs Lutheran Church and cemetery. Both will be open and church members will be available to describe the history of the churches.
The Lake Township Historical Society’s curator, Steve Espenschied, has created a display of old flags in the One-Room Schoolhouse which is located on the corner of Lake Center St and King Church near the high school. This restored building recreates a 1900’s classroom setting when one teacher taught all the grades in one room.
Everyone is invited to experience the past and learn how history can be just around the corner. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the day of the tour at any of the sites (view a map here) or by calling Ruth Sturgill at 330-877-2625
