Springboro historical buildings center of debate

City to relinquish deed to historical society site, caps Null Cabin funds.

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer Updated 7:56 AM Monday, February 6, 2012

SPRINGBORO — Three of Springboro’s oldest, most historical buildings are part of discussions about where they fit in the city’s future.

The Springboro City Council is ready to relinquish the deed to 110 S. Main St., the home of the Springboro Area Historical Society museum that was built in 1810.

Last week, the Council also agreed to forgo investment of city funds in some improvements sought by local historians on the Null Log Cabin, built in 1798, but now located on the city-owned Heatherwoode Golf Course.

Council discussed purchasing the Jonathan Wright home, 80 W. State St., built for the city’s founder in 1815.

“It’s a change in council’s philosophy,” Mayor John Agenbroad said adding, “history is very important to us.”

Springboro was established in 1815 and was a stop on the Underground Railroad network where local residents assisted fugitive slaves as they escaped from the South.

While still featuring an historic district, Springboro is now known for its affluent, master-planned neighborhoods and popularity with new businesses.

In recent months, Council has expressed a hesitance to continue using city funds for the museum, noting problems involving control over the museum building, and the cabin, over reservations about its public use on the golf course.

Last Thursday, Council — following a recommendation from City Manager Chris Thompson — voted to return the deed on the museum building that was first donated to them by historian Helen Sproat for $1 in 2000.

During the same meeting, a goal-setting work session, Council agreed to cap expenditures on the Null cabin at $25,000 in 2012 and $5,000 in future years.

Thompson said the city lacked control over the museum building, creating problems that included a disagreement over reimbursement for $1,600 in building renovations, done without seeking bids as commonly done before awarding city building projects.

Last year, the city’s architectural review board approved adding a porch and other improvements preparing the Null cabin for visits by school groups and tourists. The project was expected to cost about $40,000.

At Thursday’s meeting, council members noted the cabin’s location on the golf course in supporting the lesser investment.

Council also authorized Thompson to move forward with plans for a $700,000 expansion of the public works building and a new building at Clearcreek Park.

The council also instructed Thompson to take steps needed to pay off $267,000 in debt on small outstanding bonds sold to finance capital projects.

“We’ve faced this competition before,” Sproat said. “We have these buildings still standing here. This could become a tremendous draw for the city.”

The city is considering the purchase of the Wright House Bed and Breakfast on State Street. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a documented site on the Underground Railroad, the building is up for sale, according to city officials.

The property, owned by Sterling Gardner, is valued at $175,000, according to county records.

“It’s like a museum inside,” Agenbroad said. “We want to keep it up.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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