Save the Seneca County Courthouse Petition

This found it's way to inbox and I thought I would pass it along for interested parties.  I think it is always a shame to tear down old beautiful buildings (even though sometimes it admittedly makes some modicum of sense).  However a battle was successfully fought in 2008 to save the courthouse so it obviously has some value.

photo by John Hartsock

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Online Petition Link:

Please see letters attached as well. Building could be demolished as early as Thursday! Our letter below –

Dear Commissioners,

It is with great respect that this letter is submitted by concerned Constituents of Seneca County, Residents of the State of Ohio and supporting individuals beyond Ohio urging the Board of Commissioners to save from demolition the Seneca County Courthouse. The building is a prominent Tiffin, Ohio landmark, a historic Ohio courthouse and a fine piece of civic architecture. The people challenge the Board to consider that difficult decisions in this time of economic hardship must be balanced with our civic responsibility to maintain and restore society’s important edifices that contribute to the history and character of our cities and our nation.

The Seneca County Courthouse has fallen into cosmetic disrepair, but there is much reason to believe that the 1884 courthouse can be given new life and serve the people of Tiffin once again. There have been many studies performed that indicate the building is structurally sound and an excellent candidate for rehabilitation and reuse. It is our recommendation that plans for demolition are abandoned and consideration is given for either immediate renovation of the building or allowing private citizens to fund the costs and responsibilities for mothballing the building in order to maintain it in safe and reasonable stasis until a time at which the once proud courthouse can be restored.

Buildings of this time were designed and built to represent our society’s values, and they evoke the sense of place and permanence that cannot be replicated or replaced. The year the Seneca County Courthouse was opened saw the beginning of construction of the Statue of Liberty and the completion of the Washington Monument, a testament to the grand age from which this building heralds and the historical importance it signifies. If destroyed, the Seneca County Courthouse would become the first Ohio courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places to be torn down.

           With these notions in mind, please reconsider the irreversible decision of demolishing the Seneca County Courthouse so that it can be saved until a later time that it can be restored to prominence and be appreciated by future generations. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

           Sincerely,

    Citizens