In the mid-1800s, the town of Van Wert, Ohio was an important stop along the Lincoln Highway and two major rail lines. Auto and train traffic supported decades of prosperity, including an impressive collection of historic buildings. While the Van Wert County Courthouse is the architectural gem, the town boasts over 60 historic buildings ranging from Second Empire to Italianate to Art Deco. Like many small Midwest rail towns, Van Wert declined in the mid-20th century, leaving the historic buildings largely abandoned.

In 2020, backed by momentum from the Van Wert County Foundation and local historic society, Downtown Van Wert was officially designated a historic district. Dreaming of the town’s resurgence, the Foundation spent the last decade discreetly acquiring dozens of vacant and decaying buildings. In May that same year, we began our treasure hunt, crawling through and exploring buildings that had been empty for decades. What was uncovered was far more than we ever expected.

In Cincinnati, we are accustomed to finding similar buildings gutted and stripped. Modern mass renovations in the 70s and 80s focused on economy and efficiency, inserting new systems and construction methods with disregard for historic fabric. Fortunately, Van Wert did not experience the same level of careless renovations, and we peeled back layers of modern cladding to reveal largely intact historic facades and interiors.

Throughout the town, we unearthed cast iron storefronts, decorative prism glass, unique brick detailing, original windows, and monumental interior space. Returning these buildings to their former glory was daunting, but we were set up for success, as abundant clues remained to tell the story of what had been.

Phase 1 includes fourteen addresses strategically located on the town’s two main thoroughfares. This year, for the first time in decades, historic buildings re-opened their doors to the people of Van Wert.