That church, built in 1855, has what is likely the second-oldest African-American congregation in all of Ohio, said Sam Perry, the city planner. The congregation predates the building, having formed in 1846. The guest speaker, who detailed the history of the church, was Jacky Johnson, a local author and archivist for the Western College Memorial Archives. Western College is part of Miami University today.
“Historic buildings are significant. They are an important part of what makes Oxford. Because when you walk Uptown, all the buildings look unique, don’t they? We are not a cookie-cutter city, are we?” Johnson said.
The Stoddard House, built in 1834, is the campus ministry center, also known as the Interfaith Center, according to Perry. Stoddard was a well-loved Miami professor who lived in the house for 20 years before he moved to Wooster.
The Wilson-Huston House is the youngest of the three honorees, having been built in 1906. In recent years, the house was “getting to be pretty run down. It had the roof caving in, and the bathroom wasn’t operational and the kitchen wasn’t operational. It was reaching a point of not being able to be restored,” Perry said.
However, Tyler Rice, a Miami graduate and the owner of the home, bought it as an architect’s project, and he set about refurbishing it. The original occupant was Isabelle Wilson, a piano teacher.
“I hope that people will drive by the house and have a look at it. It’s just as nice inside as it is outside,” said HAPC chair Laura Henderson.
This is the sixth year for the marker program, with a total of 15 plaques awarded. Interested parties apply for the plaques, which are selected by the HAPC, according to Perry.
About the Author