Old West End

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Examples of Old West End Architecture on Robinwood

The Old West End is a historic neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio and is considered to be "the largest neighborhood of late Victorian, Edwardian , and Arts & Crafts homes east of the Mississippi."^[1]

The South end of the neighborhood is bound by the Toledo Museum of Art, the eastern edge by churches of many denominations and the other directions provide architecture and homes from Edwardian to Arts & Crafts to Victorian and from 1200 to 10000 square feet.^[2]

1 History
2 Old West End Festival
3 Neighborhood attractions
4 References

[edit] History

1930 Parkwood in 1901

In 1818, the first log home was built in the area now known as the Old West End; then in 1829, the first tavern and store were built.^[3]

The Old West End was platted in 1866; "the wealthiest and most well-to-do of Toledo began moving away from their former downtown homes to live in this new development far from the city". ^[4] The Old West End "experienced most of its growth between 1875 and 1915." ^[5]

By the late 1870s, the area became a very trendy place to live; "...families began to build 'out in the woods' in the West end.” In the heyday of the neighborhood,“Collingwood Avenue became known as the Avenue and eventually as the Avenue of Churches", because of all of the churches that lined and still line Collingwood Avenue.^[3]

Unfortunately, in the 1920s and 1930s the area was no longer considered the trendy neighborhood, and in the 1960s the neighborhood significantly impacted by the development of the interstate highways. “The construction of the I-75 expressway resulted in the demolition of entire blocks...”^[3] The decline of the neighborhood was apparent by the end of the 1960s. ^[6]

Despite problems including " red-lining, racial unrest, white flight, crime, disinvestments, and the perception of poor schools" the residents of the Old West End have prevailed in keeping many of the historic landmarks from being demolished.^[3] Their efforts paid off, in 1973, part of the Old West End placed on the National Register of Historic Places as an Historic District; this district was expanded in 1984. ^[7]

From the 1970's through today the neighborhood is home to many in the gay and lesbian community, who were some of the first to restore homes in the neighborhood and help to define it as the diverse community it is today.

[edit] Old West End Festival

"On the first weekend in June, residents of the Old West End hold their Spring Festival, which features food, entertainment, tours of historic homes, and spontaneous garage sales. Citizen involvement in the Old West End is high, and this is reflected by its many neighborhood organizations." ^[8]