My Blog Has Moved!

 

 

themithoff.com/journal-shift/

 

The Rumors of Us Quitting Have Been Greatly Exaggerated....

Check Out What the Mithoff Will Look Like

This is the architectural rendering of what the Main Street side of the Mithoff Building will look like when we are finished.

 

There have been rumors....

We have been hearing rumors out there that people think we have given up on the restoration.  Not true.  We are completely finished with the asbestos removal, and we have applied for and have received our demolition permits.  Keep in mind that it won't really be a "demolition".  It will be more of a dismantling, as we will be taking down sections of newer additions piece by piece.    There has been someone working in the building everyday, and we are planning another volunteer day for June 13th. 

 

 

June 27th and 28th

Fairfield Heritage Association's Tour of Homes

This year the Mithoff Hotel will be on the FHA's Tour of Homes.  Don't miss your opportunity to see inside this fantastic old building.  Tickets are on sale now.

www.fairfieldheritage.org



The following pictures are of the tear-out of what used to be the old J.C. Penney's.  The retailer opened their doors in the 162-164 W. Main Street section of the Mithoff in August of 1923 and advertised "Back-to-Back School Clothing and Furnishings" according to an ad in the Daily Eagle.  In 1938 a $30,000 addition was added to the back of the Mithoff.  The stored remained in the Mithoff for 37 years until moving to the Plaza Shopping Center in 1960.

 

A few more pictures of the clean-up and tear-out on the second floor.

 

On one of the backs of the toilet tanks the date is stamped 1925.

 

Old bottles of Muscatel.

 

 

The roof is in pretty bad shape.

 

 

Some of the original flooring in the J.C. Penney's section.  You can make out the dividing line between one of the additions.

 

 

 

Again, don't forget the volunteer day on June 13th.  We still need plenty of help clearing out debris and getting ready for the Tour of Homes.

 

Check out one of our other projects at valleyviewhouse.blogspot.com

We've been working about 11 months on a house flip and we're almost done. 

 

 

 

 

 

There Are No Cannons At the Mithoff

I'M PRETTY SURE THERE IS NO CANNON AT THE MITHOFF 

 

 

There ARE no cannons at the Mithoff, unfortunately, but there were cannons on New Providence Island, better known as the Bahamas.    What does this have to do with the Mithoff?  Not much really, except my love of old buildings.  We took a little vacation (that's why my blog has not been updated recently) and the best part for me, of course, were the old forts in Nassau.  

 

 

I went to both Fort Fincastle, built in 1793 and Fort Charlotte, built in 1788.  Along the walls of the fort men have carved their names in the walls for years while they were on watch.  This one is dated 1849.  Seriously cool. 

 

 

Asbestos Has Been Removed

 

As removal of the asbestos in the building began, the carpeting on the first floor in some of the retail spaces needed to be removed.  Underneath we uncovered this incredible floor tile.  It looks as if it is original from the grocery store that was in the Rokohl building.  The unique part about the tile is that each part of the intricate design of the tile is an individual square.  We are going to save as much of the tile as possible, and will utilize the pattern somewhere in the building. 

 

The place is a mess right now.  

 

The third floor has been completely cleared out, but the second floor, well, looks like a bomb went off.  All the plaster has been torn from the ceilings and walls, it just has not been removed from the building yet. 

 

A major supporting structural beam in the hotel was from the Hocking Valley Manufacturing Company.

 

 

The company was in business in Lancaster from 1869 to 1950.   It came as little surprise to me when I learned that two of the officers of the company were none other than George August Mithoff and Theodore Mithoff. 

 

Intricate pieces of trim.

 

 

 

The brick on the third floor is beautiful. 

 

 

There are some great tin ceilings all through the building.   We will salvage all that we can and use as much of it as we can in the first floor retail spaces. 

 

 



I would say we have a long way to go, but we are making progress.  The asbestos removal process is over, and we can apply for demolition permits.   As you strip away the little tiny pieces of the past, you can see all the possibilities of the future.    And as much as you hate to see those pieces disappear, I know that we are instrumental in this building continuing into the future.  We are now, and will forever be, a part of the Mithoff's history.  She'll last another hundred years because of us.  We'll support her foundation and improve her walls, and we will give her a purpose again.  That's a great feeling. 

 

FHA HOME AND GARDEN TOUR

Your opportunity to see inside the Mithoff  is coming on June 27th and 28th.  Fairfield Heritage Association's Home and Garden Tour is pleased to announce the addition of the Mithoff House on this year's tour.  Tickets go on sale soon.  Check fairfieldheritage.org for details as soon as they become available. 



 

 

Volunteers Do Make a Difference!

  

It's Just Lancaster 

It's Just Lancaster.  I've heard that phrase too many times to count.  I've said it myself a time or two.  "There's no place to shop here."  Well, it is just Lancaster.   "There are no good restaurants here."  Well it is just Lancaster.   "There is nothing to do here"....well....it is just Lancaster.

I am beginning to rethink those remarks.  I have been a little short-sighted.  Today was a volunteer day at the Mithoff.  First of all we're not talking volunteering at the petting zoo,  or taking donations in downtown Lancaster.  No, we are talking the dirtiest, nastiest worst form of volunteering anyone could possible dream up.  Stripping plaster and then sweeping it up.  And not just any plaster, 200 year old plaster.  Smelly, heavy,  gross plaster.  With boards and nails and who knows what else mixed in with it.  Sound awful?  It is.


 

 

What on Earth would possess these people to do this work?  It's Easter weekend!  It's a nice day outside.  I can only conclude that it is for love of this town, and for love of this old building.  When Brad and I got this crazy idea about 10 years ago, we thought we were alone.  Who else would care about an old hotel?  I am amazed at the number of people who, not only care, but want to help.  I've been contacted by ancestors of the owners, I've been given artifacts to display in the hotel.  And people are volunteering to work.   They want to have a part in this footprint of history.  They want to see Lancaster thrive again, see it become vibrant with an active downtown.  I was impressed and humbled by the people giving their time and energy to this project today, and I am definitely gaining a new respect for this town.   There are great new restaurants in town, and Destination Downtown is thinking up creative ways to bring people into downtown.  It seems like there is always a new event taking place.  Things are really starting to happen in this town.   It's just Lancaster...right? 


Jon Hale (Class of 81!) getting a little dirty with the rest of the volunteers!!

Maiher Demolition has loaned us the use of their truck for hauling debris.

I told everyone it would have to look a whole lot worse before it would look any better.

 

 

For all of you who have a passion for these old buildings like my husband and I do, you can also do your part in preserving two of the great homes we have in our historic district right now!  The Georgian is my absolute favorite, and one that needs constant maintenance and attention.  And don't forget the Sherman House.  If you haven't been through these historic treasures lately, make it a point.  We are also looking for new members to join us at the Fairfield Heritage Association.  As we breathe new life into downtown, I can only hope we can breathe new life into our historical society as well.  There are more historic buildings like the Mithoff that are in jeopardy.  Becoming a member means you become aware, and awareness leads to a community that can fight back against the demolition of historic structures in our community.   One of our most incredible features in Lancaster is our historic downtown.  Become a member of FHA today, and become a part of a community that cares about its historic district. 

 

www.fairfieldheritage.org