The document summarizes information about Temperance Row Historic District in Westerville, Ohio. It was designated as the city's first Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 because of its national significance and local importance. In September 2010, an Ohio historical marker was placed to share the historical relevance of Temperance Row and the Anti-Saloon League leaders who lived there. The district contains examples of Arts and Crafts/Craftsman style architecture popular in the early 1900s, including prominent homes owned by Reverend Howard Hyde Russell, founder of the Anti-Saloon League, and Reverend Purley A. Baker, Russell's successor.

1. Map Activity A WALK THROUGH HISTORY
THE WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCE CENTER NEWSLETTER
December 2010
Temperance Row Historic District
In November 2008, the National
Park Service designated Westerville’s
Temperance Row as the city’s first
Historic District on the National Register
of Historic Places. The 11 acre tract
of land was one of only 10% of the
designated districts that was recognized
because of its national significance. It Members of the Westerville com-
munity unveil the marker at the
was also given the honor because of its September 19, 2010 dedication.
local importance
and the quality of
its architecture.
In September of this year, an Ohio
1. Is 109 S. Grove Street west of Alum Creek? historical marker was placed on the
2. What direction is W. Walnut Street from Elmwood Place?
3. If you start walking at 91 University Street and head toward Otterbein College, which direc-
corner of Park and Grove Streets
tion would you be walking? to share the historical relevance of
4. Which direction should you go if you want to get to 108 S. Grove Street from 141 Park
Street? Temperance Row and the Anti-Saloon
5. Is Otterbein Cemetery north or south of Otterbein College?
League leaders who made their homes in the neighborhood.
4 1

2. Arts and Crafts/Craftsman Architecture IMPORTANT HOMES IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT
The Arts and Crafts movement began in England in the 1830s. Its goal was
to return to a time when individuals were encouraged to create simple cus- Russell/Cherrington Home
tom-crafted furniture and homes instead of factory mass-produced items.
Arts and Crafts homes used locally produced wood and glass products as Built by the founder of the Anti-Saloon League, Reverend Howard Hyde
Russell, when the League moved its printing headquarters to Westerville,
well as materials from nature like field stones. The homes were built with
this is the largest home on Grove Street. Rev. Russell lived in it until
a family friendly focus with features like long, deep front porches perfect 1915 when he sold it to Ernest Cherrington, general manager of the Anti-
for playing games and rocking on a porch swing on a rainy afternoon. Saloon League’s publishing company. Cher-
rington lived in the home with his wife Betty and
Some features of the Arts and Crafts/Craftsman style of home are: two children, Ann and Ernest Jr. The children
played on the lawn and in the neighborhood Photograph of Ernest
• Wood, stone or stucco siding with other children whose fathers worked for Cherrington Jr. with
• Porches with thick, tapered square or round columns made of stone the Anti-Saloon League. Mary Leona, Lucy and
Marguerite Kelser.
• Exterior chimneys made of stone
• Numerous windows 79 South Grove Street In the 1940s the home was owned by William
E. Johnston, head of the Westerville Creamery. He was the owner of
• Low-pitched roof lines with gabled or the first television in Westerville. Neighbors, wanting to catch a glimpse of this invention,
hipped roofs would stand across the street looking through his front window.
• Deep overhangs on the roof eaves with Today the home is owned by the Otterbein Country Club fraternity.
decorative brackets or exposed rafters
• Interiors with built-in shelves, benches
and china cabinets
Baker/Howard House
The land that is the Temperance Row Historic District was purchased by Reverend Pur-
These homes were built with simple lines and sturdy construction. The ley A. Baker, the successor to Howard Hyde Russell as leader of the Anti-Saloon League.
earlier Victorian style featured elaborate exterior trim with towers and tur- Baker and his wife built a home that they named Greendale. The property had an elabo-
rate sunken garden in the front yard, a greenhouse in back, a dairy building and a carriage
rets. The Arts and Crafts/Craftsman style began to be popular in the United
house made of cobblestones.
States in the early 1900s and continued its
popularity into the 1930s. Westerville’s After the death of the Bakers, their home was the
Temperance Row is filled with wonderful original site of the Westerville Public Library which
examples of the Arts and Crafts/Craftsman opened in 1930 on the first floor. The library occupied
the property for three years before moving to a larger
style of architecture. location above the city building uptown.
In 1948 the building became the home of the presi-
dent of Otterbein College, John Gordon Howard. Still
owned by Otterbein today and used for offices, it is 131 West Park Street
called the Howard House.
2 3

3. Arts and Crafts/Craftsman Identification Activity
Based on the reading about Arts and Crafts/Craftsman style
homes, describe why each of the following houses are considered
to have Arts and Crafts/Craftsman style architecture.

4. local history in the classroom
Ohio and Westerville played an active role in the
Underground Railroad. Many people were involved
in helping runaway slaves escape to freedom. In
our community the Hanby family, George Stoner,
Underground the Alexander family and the Sharp family aided
in this effort. Throughout the state of Ohio others
Railroad were working to make freedom possible for run-
aways. The Local History Resource Center has col-
lected resources on this movement and would like
to share the stories and the words of runaways with
your class. We will share photos of the buildings
used as part of the Underground Railroad in our
community and give each student a map of routes
in Ohio. To schedule a 30-minute program in your
class room, contact Beth Weinhardt at 614-259-
5028.
Westerville History
The Local History Resource Center is scheduling programs
for winter. Let us bring history to your classroom. We will
share stories about the early pioneers of Westerville, show old
photos of the town, and talk about the growth of and change
in the community with special emphasis on a transportation
timeline. Classroom programs can be scheduled by contacting
Beth Weinhardt at 614-259-5028.