Back
Print |
On Saturday, June 24, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, The Oakwood
Historical Society will debut its newly published Schantz Park Historic District
walking tour booklet by hosting a kick-off walking tour of the Schantz Park
Historic District. This tour, which is a 2.4 mile self-guided walk, bike, or
drive through the six streets that make up the majority of Schantz Park,
includes over 50 homes representing more than 16 architectural styles, and is a
wonderful opportunity to learn more about the exteriors of the distinctive homes
found in this historic neighborhood. The tour begins at the Schantz Park gateway
at the corner of Schantz and Oakwood avenues, and because this is a self-guided
tour, participants may arrive and depart any time between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00
noon. During the tour, Oakwood Historical Society members will be stationed at
the corner of Schantz and Oakwood avenues and throughout the district to greet
participants, distribute complimentary copies of the walking tour booklet, and
answer any questions participants may have about the history, architecture, or
original residents of Schantz Park. The 20-page tour booklet, published by the
Oakwood Historical Society with support from the Oakwood Rotary Foundation,
includes a brief history of the Schantz Park Historic District, a summary of
architectural terms, a tour map, and a listing and description of the homes
chosen to be a part of the tour.
Schantz Park is the first and only neighborhood in Oakwood on the National
Register of Historic Places, and at the time of its nomination, the National
Register lauded the district as one of the finest nominations they had ever
received. Craftsman, Tudor, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Spanish Eclectic, and
American Foursquare are just a few of the architectural styles represented. The
district's park-like design is evident in the tree-lined streets and beautifully
maintained private lawns and landscaping.
During this debut event, tour participants will also have an opportunity to
purchase a recently reprinted 60-page brochure entitled "A Time and A Place,"
published in 1915 to advertise the Schantz Park Estates. This brochure is a
first-class piece of Oakwood memorabilia that showcases several of the original
Schantz Park homes and includes early photographs of Schantz Park and Lookout
Park houses and detailed descriptions of the work and restrictions that went
into developing Oakwood's first large-scale subdivision. Originals of this work
are very rare. Therefore, to share it with the public, the Oakwood Historical
Society has had it professionally reprinted. Copies will be available for
$20.00.
After this event, the Schantz Park Historic District walking tour booklet will
continue to be available at the Oakwood City Building, Oakwood Community Center,
OHS events and other outlets. The walking tour booklet is free, and the Oakwood
Historical Society encourages all Oakwood residents and visitors to use it as a
reference to learn more about this unique neighborhood and its architecture. If
you are unable to attend this event and would like to purchase a copy of the
sales brochure, "A Time and A Place," please call Harrison Gowdy at 643-4075 (an
additional $2.50 shipping and handling charge will be added).
###