I probably should wait for more details before posting this view of the 1858 Lucas County Courthouse --- but it's pretty exciting stuff, to me at least. So here it is.
I received the image --- obviously made from a glass negative --- yesterday via e-mail from a gentleman named Jack Hultquist. We ran into the size limitations Windstream puts on e-mail attachments, then out of time, but hopefully more information about the specific source will be forthcoming.
Jack and I agree that it probably was taken ca. 1871. What you're looking at is the north facade of the courthouse with the south side of the square in the distance. The latter is especially exciting because there just are no clear early views of the south side --- or so I thought.
The building to the right in the background is the legendary Hatcher House hotel, built in 1857 by Elkana Malone, perhaps in partnership with Pusey Chapman. It took the name of later owners, the Hatchers; Elkana was killed in combat at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862.
The building to the immediate left of the courthouse is the St. John House hotel, built during 1853 by Edwin Culbertson and purchased in 1855 by Samuel B. St. John.
I'll keep you posted as I learn more about this wonderful image.
1 comment:
That is a beautiful old building! What an exciting find; old photographs are priceless.
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