The Cameron Feinthel House, located at 7893 Cooper Road, sits on lot #8 of the original plat of Montgomery by Nathaniel Terwilliger. The property has a long and unique history, as the west portion of the lot, where a garage is currently located, was once the site of the original Methodist Church for the Community. That church, built some time after 1839, operated until the early 1900s when the building was sold, sawed in half, and moved by a thrashing machine to a lot on Deerfield Road north of Cornell. There, it was expanded and used as a community center. It was eventually demolished in 1995.

The current house dates to around 1892, when Isaac Cameron bought the property. There was a house previously on the lot that dated to the 1850s. It is possible that part of the original footprint remains and was added onto by Cameron, or perhaps the original house burned or was demolished. The result of Cameron’s work was to create the parsonage for the Methodist minister. Cameron created the Queen Anne look by constructing the front bay, the tall narrow windows and the small stained glass windows in the gable, all good examples of the Queen Anne style. Cameron also constructed an octagonal tower on the west side of the house that can be seen in early photographs but was removed, probably due to deterioration. During the 1920s and the Great Depression, rooms were rented to boarders. Then in 1941, Edward Feinthel purchased the house and moved his family into the structure. Feinthel was once the village clerk and the ownership stayed in the Feinthel family for more than 60 years. It was recognized as a Montgomery Landmark in 1988. The Cameron Feinthel house is an important part of the Cooper Road streetscape. It has been well maintained over the years, and the current owners are meticulously restoring it so that it remains one of the City’s most attractive landmark properties.

The Hoffman House, designated a local landmark in 1989, provides Montgomery with an example of a Colonial Revival residence along one of the most attractive and historic streets in the City. Sitting at 7887 Cooper Road, two lots east of the intersection of Cooper and Main Street, this two story frame house is located on one of the original lots in Nathaniel Terwilliger’s first subdivision. Records for the Hoffman House trace the ownership back to 1856, when it was purchased by George Crain, who owned it until 1882. It seems likely that he may have built at least the original section of the house. Based on the architecture, building materials, and historical records, the original two story front portion was constructed around 1879- 1880. Since the lot was originally platted by Terwilliger in 1802, there may have been an earlier structure that was removed. Over time, the house has evolved through several additions, including a large one story section on the rear. Due to its location, it has remained a residence, unlike many of the houses on West Cooper, Main Street, and Montgomery Road which were adapted for commercial purposes. The house is distinguished by its four inch lap siding, end gable roof, and shutters. The front door has been embellished with the Colonial Revival elements: a classical pediment supported by pilasters and a decorative eagle above the door. At one time there were five fireplaces. This house was owned for 48 years by the Hoffman family, from 1946-1994. Robert Hoffman, a native of Montgomery, was a member of City Council for 16 years. His wife Ruth was Clerk of Council for five years. It was Mrs. Hoffman who agreed to have the house listed as a landmark. While not the oldest or most ornate building in the City, the Hoffman House is an integral part of the character and streetscape of Cooper Road. Along with the Emily Rees House next door, and the three other landmark properties along the south side of Cooper east of Main Street the Hoffman House is important to the appeal of Montgomery’s downtown.

Standing on 3/4 acres at the intersection of southbound Montgomery Road and the westbound entrance to Cross County Highway, the Historic Mason House is a stately reminder of rural life in early Montgomery.

Built around 1861, this two story wood frame structure is an example of Greek Revival Architecture, highlighted by a majestic two story front porch with large square columns, 6 x 6 double hung windows, and four-inch wood lap siding.  The original louvered shutters have been removed for restoration. The oldest section of the house has a square footprint with a hip roof, two internal chimneys, and 11-foot ceilings.

While the available information suggests an 1861 construction date, there is some evidence that at least part of the building may pre-date that year. An 1841 atlas shows a structure in approximately the same location.  Regardless of the construction date, the property has a long history with names such Snider and Meeker associated with it. It sits in the plat originally created by Eli Duskey, one of Montgomery’s most colorful early characters.

As with many City Landmarks, the Mason House has evolved over time. The porch itself seems to have been added in the 1920s or 1930s. A one story addition was added on the rear of the main building which contains a kitchen and sun room.  There are two, more recent, one-story out buildings to the rear of the main house.  For more than 40 years, these served as the showroom and offices of Creekwood Antiques, a well known and highly regarded business devoted to the finest examples of colonial and federal craftsmanship. Creekwood was owned and operated by Morris and Betty Mason, who purchased the property in 1947.

The property was severely impacted by the construction of Cross County Highway, which took much of the southern portion of the lot and created the entrance ramp very close to the house itself. However, the remaining parcel, which is accessed from Hartfield Place, still maintains its charm and character.

The current owner, Mason Investments LTD, has spent the past two years addressing major maintenance issues, including a new roof and foundation work on the main building, and updating the rear buildings for possible re-use in the near future. It is a great benefit to the City that these owners have made a commitment to this property. For their efforts the Montgomery Landmarks Commission has chosen the Mason House for its 2010 Landmark Ornament.

THE SMETHURST HOUSE:  OUR MOVABLE LANDMARK

 There are currently thirty buildings in Montgomery that have been designated as local landmarks by the City.  All but one of these is standing where it was built.  The Smethurst House, 7850 Remington Avenue,  is the one landmark that has actually been relocated from its original foundation.

 Built around 1869,  this was for a time the home of  James Lloyd Smethurst,  the first mayor of the City of Montgomery.  Smethurst was born in 1853 and was elected mayor in 1910,  shortly after the village was officially incorporated.  He was paid $10 for his first six months of service. 

 The house is a simple two story frame structure with a gable roof and clapboard siding.  Rear additions to the house were removed at the time the house was moved.  The 2×2 windows and distinctive front porch provide character, and are well maintained to this day.

 The house went through several different owners over the years,  including the Oberle (1914-1932) and the Balch (1932-1952) families.  It remained a residence until 1953,  when it was converted to a commercial use.  Since then it has been a hair salon, attorney’s office, real estate office,  and gift shop.

 A two and one half year battle for the future of the building began in the mid 1980’s.  Current owner Cristos Kotsovos wanted to bring his furrier business from Roselawn to Montgomery and wanted to demolish the building and build a new structure at this strategic corner.  Following a substantial renovation of the property by JJ Burns realty in 1974,  the City had designated the building as a local landmark in 1977.  There was great controversy over the Kotsovos plans,  and in 1986 City Council voted to take the property by eminent domain and filed with the court.   While this was action was still pending,  a compromise was developed which included moving the building to the back portion of the lot and allowing a new, modern facility to be built at the corner.  While some felt that moving the building compromised its historical integrity,  others felt that this was the best way to insure the building would be preserved.  In 1987 Council voted 4-3 to approve the Kotsovos plan and in October of that year, the house was lifted, turned 90 degrees to face Remington,  and placed on a new foundation about 100’ away. 

 Today the Smethhurst house is still used by Kotsovos as a commercial building and provides character and charm to the Remington Road streetscape.  While it probably does not qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, it is an important part of our historic district and the quality of our community.

In the early 1800’s, when Montgomery was mostly a rural farming community, churches served as the focal point of community life.  Their importance is reflected in the impressive architecture and careful craftsmanship that was employed in their construction.   One of our City’s most prominent churches is the Universalist Church at the southwest corner of Montgomery Road and Remington.  Built in 1837 by a group of families that left the Presbyterian Church, this fine building looks much the same today as it did the day that it opened.  It is easily recognized by the four round brick columns which rise to support the portico over the entrance.  These pillars are unusual not only because they are brick, but also because they are tapered, with a smaller circumference at the top than bottom.  The floor of the portico is composed of the wedge shaped leftovers from the columns.

 Inside the church still retains a number of its original features.  At one time there was a balcony in the back of the church which was removed, but the windows are original, as are the pews, candelabra, organ, and pulpit.  Walking through the front doors is like entering a time machine and emerging in the 19^th century.

 At the time the church was finished, the Universalists numbered only 18 members, but grew by 1844 to a congregation of 95.  During the rest of the century membership slowly declined and in 1926 it ceased regular operations, although one service per year was held to maintain its tax exempt status.  By 1959 the Church was under the ownership of the Universalist Society of Ohio who decided to sell it.  There was grave concern when it was learned that there were plans for it to be demolished for a gas station,  however Montgomery resident and former mayor Thomas Behrens and his wife stepped  forward, purchased the church and enlisted the support of  the Kiwanis club, Montgomery Woman’s Club,  and other dedicated preservations to restore it.  During the 1960’s a new floor was installed, with some of the old floor ending up being used to refurbish the floor of the Yost Tavern.  The walls and ceiling were re-plastered and electric heat installed.

 In 1970, the Church became one of the earliest buildings in the County to be recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, as part of a small historic district that includes the Crain Conklin and Pioneer building.  In 1977 it was designated a Montgomery landmark.  Since the property was donated to the City by the heirs of the Behrens, the City has taken special care to preserve and maintain its historic integrity.  Today it is used for special art exhibits and concerts,   displays at Bastille Day, and other community functions.  It is available for rent for weddings or private functions.

 The Universalist Church is admired and appreciated today by Montgomery residents and visitors alike.  It is hard to image downtown without this building, and it demonstrates the importance of historic preservation for our current identity and future success.  It is truly the signature building of our downtown, and perhaps the entire City. Take the time to visit it with your family and friends.