Hilltop Walking Tour

Historic Walking Tours of Logan, Ohio

The Hilltop Tour

Worthington Park – was given to the town of Logan in 1816 by then Governor Thomas Worthington. Worthington had platted Logan several years before the March 31, 1818 organization of Hocking County. The town of Logan was named after the Mingo Chief James John Logan. As the town grew, it was incorporated on March 5, 1839.

From section 7 of the listing of Logan Historic Distict in the National Register of Historic Places:
(For more information on the Logan Historic District listing, click here.)

On the south side of Main Street, the corner with Market is occupied by Worthington Park, historically part of Logan’s 1816 public square (Photo 15). In addition to a frame gazebo from 1992, it contains a granite monument with a bronze statue of a Union soldier with the inscription “In Memory of the Boys in Blue of Hocking County 1861-1865” (Photo 16). The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day 1921 by the G.A.R. The statue was fabricated by the W. H. Mullins Co. of Salem, Ohio.

(A) United States Post Office – Corner of Hunter and Market – The current structure was built in 1917 although the United States Postal Service has been in Logan since 1817.		On the south side of this block [of Hunter Street between Market and Mulberry streets], the Logan Post Office (80 N. Market, Photos 50 and 54) is a significant presence on the corner of Hunter and Market. Designed in a Renaissance Revival style in 1917, the one-story Post Office features a red clay tile hipped roof, projecting bracketed eaves, and a symmetrical façade with five tall round-arched bays including the central entrance. The side elevation facing Hunter is similarly detailed, with windows that have blind arches. Also on this side of Hunter is an L-shaped vernacular brick commercial building with storefront (47-49 E. Hunter, Photo 55) and three gabled two-story residential buildings from the late 19^th century (37, 61-63 and 73 E. Hunter, Photo 55). The final building in the block is the Acker House at 85 N. Mulberry (Photo 56), an excellent example of an Early Italianate style. The house displays paired brackets at the eaves, a center gable at the roofline, round-arched and segmental-arched windows and an original entry portico with iron cresting. The north side of this block continues with a mixture of significant residential and institutional buildings. At the northeast corner of Market is a unique two-story frame residence from c. 1910 (4 E. Hunter, Photo 51) with a Colonial Revival two-story porch and an attached gable-front wing that may have served as an office. To its east is [the Postmaster White Home,] an 1894 brick Queen Anne with three-story corner tower, projecting gables and a broad brick porch (18 E. Hunter, Photo 51). A third significant house is the substantial brick American Foursquare with attached garage located at 60 E. Hunter (c. 1910, Photo 52-53). This house served as the parsonage for the Methodist Church next door. Finally, at the northwest corner of Mulberry and Hunter is the First Methodist Church [Immanuel United Methodist Church]. Built in 1909, the First Methodist Church (66 and 80 E. Hunter, Photo 52 and 57) is an example of the Late Gothic Revival style and features an ornamental steeple sheathed with copper. To the rear of the church is a large frame American Foursquare with original brick porch that fronts on N. Mulberry Street (143 N. Mulberry, Photo 83).
	(B) Postmaster White Home – 18 East Hunter – This Queen Anne style Victorian home was built by the Kleinsmith Architects in 1894. Owned by Mr. White, the postmaster, in the early 1900’s, some of the wood interior resembles that in the Post Office across the street where he worked.

(C) Acker House – 85 North Mulberry (corner of Mulberry and Hunter) – Built in 1870, it was selected for its early Italianate architecture. Notice the intact Italianate porch and paired brackets at the eaves.

	(D) Immanuel United Methodist Church – 66 East Hunter – Methodist Congregation is the oldest denomination in Logan. The building was constructed in 1853. Note the steeple sheathed in copper.

(E) Work House – 171 North Mulberry – was built in 1880 by J. W. Work, an early boot and shoemaker. The house is an elaborate Victorian Italianate style house with tower.	[The section of North Mulberry Street that extends from Hunter Street to the north side of the Old Logan Cemetery is a residential street.] It contains many fine examples of Logan’s historic architectural styles. Beginning on the west side of the street are two significant brick Italianates that occupy large lots. The [Work house] at 171 N. Mulberry (Photo 83-84) is a richly ornamented two-story brick with prominent two-story projecting bay, decorative carved brackets and its frieze at the cornice, and mansard roof at the entry tower. The [Work/Monk house] at 207 N. Mulberry (Photo 85) also has hallmark features of the Italianate style, including an original porch, first floor projecting side bay, paired brackets and dentilled cornice, and segmental arched windows. A board and batten carriage house exists at the rear of this property (Photo 86). Continuing north on the west side of N. Mulberry is a series of vernacular frame houses, including an American Foursquare at 245 N. Mulberry, an I House at 253-57 N. Mulberry, and a gable front two-story at 267-269 N. Mulberry (Photo 88). This is followed by a one-story gable-front cottage at 291 N. Mulberry, a good example of a hipped roof cottage with cross-gabled façade at 309 N. Mulberry, and two more American Foursquares at 325 and 345 N. Mulberry (Photo 90). Just before the Old Logan Cemetery is a gambrel-roofed bungalow with recessed porch at 349 N. Mulberry (Photo 91). North of the Cemetery on the west side are a vernacular gable front two-story house at 507 N. Mulberry and a 1½ story hip-roofed cottage at 511 N. Mulberry (Photo 98). Although vernacular in character, these houses have many intact features, including a number of original imbricated slate roofs. The east side of N. Mulberry is also residential, beginning with a rambling American Foursquare with wrap-around porch (and addition to the rear) at 172 N. Mulberry to the north of the first alley (Photo 87). Continuing to the north is a row of vernacular one- or 1½-story cottages at 246, 260, and 284 N. Mulberry, followed by an intact row of frame two-story vernacular homes at 362, 374 and 388 N. Mulberry (Photo 93). Trinity Lutheran Church occupies a raised site with steps leading to the tower entry door (Photo 94). Built in 1881, the church’s Gothic Revival features include rock-faced sandstone construction, buttresses, lancet windows, ornate finials at the central bell tower. To its north is a row of frame houses with enhanced stylistic features at 432, 494, 498, and 500 (Photos 95-96). The frame bungalow at 494 Mulberry is a noteworthy example of the type, with its broad front porch, Doric columns, and shed dormer with porch at the roofline. The development dead-ends at the north end of the street with a glazed brick American Foursquare with slate roof with centered dormer, rock-faced stone lintels and front porch with heavy brick piers (520 N. Mulberry, Photo 97). Non-contributing buildings on Mulberry are few, but include the apartment house at 220-238 N. Mulberry (Photo 87) and more recent ranch houses at 340 (Photo 92) and 530 N. Mulberry.
(F) Work/Monk Home – 207 North Mulberry – Built by George Work in 1882 on land that was purchased in 1880. The Italianate structure had an original cost of $6600. Note the decorative front porch and the unusual bamboo stand in the yard.
(G) Trinity Lutheran Church – 430 North Mulberry – This church was built in 1881. Note the decorative detail atop the belfry. As you walk on, notice the Old Logan Cemetery where you find tombstones with birthdates in the 1700’s as well as a large oak tree that is over 600 years old.

OLD LOGAN CEMETERY
(Photos 114-115)

Occupying a tract of 4.5 acres, the Old Logan Cemetery occupies a hilltop site overlooking the town of Logan to its south. It extends between N. Market and N. Mulberry Street, from an alley nearly to Keynes Drive. Leading from Market Street is a brick-paved access driveway that cuts between a high concrete-block retaining wall on that side of the cemetery (likely a stone retaining wall originally). There are simple grave markers, granite monuments and obelisks of different sizes, generally facing north. The graves are mostly located at the top of the hill due to the steep drop-off to south and east. The cemetery is no longer actively used. There is an Oak tree at the northeast corner of the cemetery that is documented to be over 600 years old.

(H) St. John Catholic Church – 351 North Market – This classic Gothic Revival church building, made of local brick and block, had its cornerstone laid in 1897. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the adjacent Rectory (1902), School (1924 – 1925) and Convent (1925). The spire of Saint John’s dominates the top of the hill.

(I) Rochester House – 324 North Market – Built in 1904 by Geo. W. Rochester, a partner in the clothing firm Rochester-Lytle in operation from 1902-29.		[On the east side of Market Street] to the north of Bowen House is a five-bay house at 256 N. Market, built c. 1871, and used as the Manse for the Presbyterian Church (Photo 111). Although covered with stucco, it retains several features including exposed purlins, 6-over-1 windows and front entry door with transom and sidelights. [McCray House] the next home is an excellent example of a frame Gabled Ell with original siding and trim intact (286 N. Market, Photos 111-112). Finally, the two houses before the Old Logan Cemetery are vernacular frame, one is an American Foursquare [Rochester House] (324 N. Market, Photo 112) while the other is a Gabled Ell with recessed front porch (360 N. Market, Photo 113).

	(J) McCray House – 286 North Market – This Greek Revival house was built in 1886 by Wm. W. McCray, a school teacher and superintendent, who has been credited with laying the cornerstone for the public school system in Logan.

(K) James, Charles Worth House – 75 Hill – This home was built by Logan’s first mayor, C. W. James, between 1850 and 1853. This “I” house structure was placed on the National Register in 1980. You will view this house and the next one from the front after you return from Mound Street and walk down Spring Street hill and move towards Market Street.

The northwest district boundary is drawn at Hill Street, which includes seven contributing residential buildings on the south side of the street between N. Market and N. Spring. Three of these buildings occupy large lots on the hillside, with a south orientation overlooking Hunter Street. These are the home at 232 N. Spring (Photo 118) and the homes at 75 and 77 Hill Street. The [James, Charles Worth House] at 75 Hill is a significant Greek Revival I House (NR 1980, Photo 117) that was constructed between 1850 and 1853. Next to it is the Snider House, built in 1906 in a transitional Queen Anne-Colonial Revival style. The remaining buildings in the block occupy smaller lots oriented to Hill Street (Photo 116). Built about 1910, this row includes two American Four Squares (33 and 47 Hill), a Dutch Colonial Revival house (35 Hill) and a Gabled Ell (51 Hill).

[A pictures of the south façades of 75 and 77 Hill St. appears below, after the three houses on Mound St.]

(L) Snyder House – 77 Hill – This house, which has elements of the Queen Anne style, was built in 1906 by J. J. Snyder. Mr. Snyder founded a lumber business in Logan in 1882 and was known as the lumber king of the area.

(M) Cherrington House – 194 Mound – This house is a fine representation of Queen Anne style. Built in 1888 by Dr. B. C. McManigal, it was later owned by Judge Samuel Bright, a local lawyer in Logan. Dr. J. S. Cherrington, who founded Logan’s first hospital, purchased the home in 1914.
Cherrington house

(N) Mathias House – 244 Mound – Built in 1880, this was the first house on the hilltop. Mr. Mathias built the house with woodwork from trees timbered on his farm. A tannery building built in the 1890’s still exists.

(O) Shonk House – 264 Mound – Built in 1889. Dr. C. F. Shonk, a beloved family doctor in Logan for over 50 years, lived here.

From the Spring Street end of the alley that leads to North Market Street below Hill and Mound streets:

The south façades of 77 and 75 Hill Street.

Looking east at the back of the Corby House and the side of First Presbyterian Church.

looking east toward back of Corby house and side of 1st Presbyterian Church

(P) Greenman House – 209 North Market – Built around 1889, the house used to contain a kiln for pottery making, also a dance floor for dances in the back.

The district includes the block of Market Street ending at Hill Street on the west side and including the Old Logan Cemetery on the east side. On the west side of N. Market, there are a total five homes and all are contributing. The first is a vernacular gable-fronted frame house at 183 N. Market, built c. 1886. The next two buildings are large frame Queen Anne style homes with original siding and trim (Photo 107). The [Greenman House] at 209 N. Market, built c. 1889, is frame with cross gables and projecting bays and original slate roof intact. The house at 229 N. Market, built c. 1907, retains its original columned front porch. The next building at 247 N. Market (Photo 108) dates from 1881 and provides a classic example of the Italianate style, with shiplap siding, paired brackets at the eaves, segmental windows with shaped hoodmolds, an original entry porch, and a square projecting bay window to one side.

The east side of Market Street contains prominent homes on spacious lots; all are contributing. The southernmost house is called Rock House (150 N. Market, built 1892, Photo 109), a reference to its rock-faced block construction. The house features a broad wrap-around front porch and projecting cross gable bays to front and side. To its north is the Bowen House (196 N. Market, Photo 110), one of the earliest homes in Logan. The house faces south toward Hunter Street and is set back farther from Market Street than other properties, an indication of its early date. Appearing today as an I House with off-center wall gable and pair of entries at the first floor, the house has had various additions through the years, including one-story wings to the north and east sides. The earliest date for its construction is c. 1839. The large property is surrounded by a hairpin wrought iron fence. Bowen House is used today as a community arts center.

(Q) Bowen House – 196 North Market – Was first built as a log house by John Rochester in the early 1800’s. A frame structure later was added on the site. The “I” house structure is currently an arts center for the community.

(R) First Presbyterian Church – 2 West Hunter – The original church was completed in 1846. Designed in an elaborate Late Gothic Revival Style, the present structure was constructed in 1897.

This block of Hunter [between Market and Spring] has seven contributing addresses on the north side. The First Presbyterian Church, a highly artistic and architecturally significant religious structure, occupies the northwest corner of Hunter and Market Streets (2 W. Hunter, Photos 45-46). Designed in an elaborate Late Gothic Revival style in 1897, the building features a hipped slate roof topped by a domed cupola encircled by a row of steeply pitched gables containing pointed-arch windows. The corner location is accentuated by the presence of a rounded one-story projecting tower with conical roof and narrow Gothic-arch windows. Other features include gabled parapets and buttresses. The entire building is faced with Logan glazed rock-faced brick, with sandstone accents (Photo 46).

(S) Armstrong-Roberts House – 42 West Hunter – Built by the Motherwell Brothers in 1883. They also built a twin home to this, located at 385 West Main. This house has the original doors and windows.	To its [west] is a row of five residential buildings which have a turn-of-the-20^th-century historic character. The first house in the row is the large c. 1915 Mediterranean Revival brick house with matching garage at 30 W. Hunter (Photo 44-45). Dominant features include the historic clay tile hipped roof with inset shed-roofed dormers, exposed rafters at the eaves, and the flat-roofed front porch with tapered Doric columns. The earliest house in this row is [the Armstrong-Roberts House], a frame Queen Anne (42 W. Hunter, Photos 43-44) with patterned wood shingles in the upper façade and an angled corner bay with pyramidal roof. The house has many intact features, including slate roof, windows and window trim. The next two houses were built separately but have since been linked for the funeral home use (60 W. Hunter). The east building (54 W. Hunter) is a good example of an American Foursquare house (Photo 41), with square shape, hipped roof with dormers, and broad front porch. The house is faced with light tan brick accented by alternating light and dark soldier brick rows at the eaves, midsection, porch and foundation. The west building is a brick, two-story side-gabled bungalow from c. 1900, and the second is a unique 1914 Craftsman-inspired two-story residence faced with Logan’s distinctive rock-faced glazed brick (Photo 40). To the rear is a frame carriage house (Photo 42). The [last] house in the row is a frame Gabled Ell (86 W. Hunter, Photo 39). At the corner of Spring is a two-story commercial block (96 W. Hunter, Photo 39) with parapet façade of tan brick and ornamental brick patterns above the second floor. The south side of Hunter Street in this block relates more to the commercial area on West Main Street than to the residential neighborhood on the north side. The block includes just one house, [the Smith House], a three-bay, two-story vernacular frame Half I House, which dates from 1831 (79 W. Hunter). There are three commercial buildings, including a brick c. 1920s one-story industrial-type structure with stepped parapet façade (57 W. Hunter, Photo 48 - rear view), a modernistic one-story flat-roofed building constructed c. 1960 (93 W. Hunter, Photo 47), and Century National Bank with its marble Art Deco façade fronting on Market Street (61 N. Market, Photo 49). On the south side of the block [from Spring to High Street] is Trinity United Methodist Church (105 W. Hunter, Photo 37), a Late Gothic Revival brick church built in 1910, with prominent entry bell tower at its northeast corner. The north side of Hunter Street in this block is residential, with five houses that are all contributing (Photo 38). These include a Side Hallway two-story house at 166 W. Hunter (c. 1901), a small Hall and Parlor frame dwelling at 154 W. Hunter (c. 1920), a large Colonial Revival house at 144 W. Hunter (1910), and two Gabled Ell houses at 116 and 104-106 W. Hunter, both built c. 1920.
(T) Smith House – 79 West Hunter – The lot for this home was purchased in 1818 for $36 from Thomas Worthington. The timber frame house was built in 1831 by George Smith, who operated a tannery at the site of Trinity United Methodist Church. The house remained in the Smith family until 1941 and is the oldest known house in Logan.
(U) Trinity United Methodist Church – 105 West Hunter – The first church was built here in 1890. The present building of brick and Bedford limestone was built in 1910.