Old West End

Mansion View Inn

Examples of Old West End Architecture on Robinwood

Scott High School

Robinwood near Bancroft

Historic First Congregational Church

Greek revival facade of the Monroe Street entrance, Toledo Museum of Art

Rosary Cathedral: Toledo

Collingwood Arts Center

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 10,000 square feet (930 m²).^[2]

History

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." ^[4]

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 was 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.^[4]

Like most established U.S. cities, Toledo's historic areas saw a time of decline prior to revitalization, but 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 were placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district; this district was expanded in 1984.^[4]

From the 1970s through today the Old West End neighborhood is home to a broudly diverse population of established families, elderly residents, artists and those interested in the arts community which also includes singles, minorities, and immigrant residents all of which started a trend to restore homes in the neighborhood and help to define it as the diverse community it is today. Many Toledo-based artists and art aficionados of all types reside in the OWE neighborhood in part due to its close proximity to the Toledo Museum of Art.

Festivals and Tours

• 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." ^[4]
• Old West End Garden Tours: In September, the Old West End Garden Tours festival features a tour of Old West End gardens, concerts, and food.^[2]
• Tours de Noel: In December, Old West End residents open up their homes for tours while decorated for the holidays.^[5]

Neighborhood attractions

• Countless historic homes and churches.
• Mansion View Inn [1]
• Toledo Museum of Art
• Toledo Symphony Orchestra(TMA Peristyle)
• Rosary Cathedral
• Collingwood Arts Center [2]

References

1. ^ "The Historic Old West End of Toledo": Brooks and Hail Inc.; retrieved November 16, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.oldwestendtoledo.com/
2. ^ ^{a b} "The Old West End Association, Toledo, Ohio." Retrieved November 16, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.toledooldwestend.com/
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Stine, L. (2005) Historic Old West End Toledo, Ohio. Bookmasters.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Old West End Neighborhood Map
5. ^ "Tours de Noel" Retrieved August 17, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.toursdenoel.com/info.htm