Christopher C. Layman Law Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Christopher C. Layman Law Office
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Front of the office
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 212 W. First St., Woodville, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001062 |
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1986 |
The Christopher C. Layman Law Office is a special old building in Woodville, a village in northern Ohio. It was built a long time ago, in the late 1800s. This building has been used for many different things over the years. Today, it is recognized as an important historic site because of its history and unique style.
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Meet Christopher Layman
This building is named after Christopher C. Layman, who was a very important person in Woodville. He was the first lawyer in the village.
From Switzerland to Ohio
Christopher Layman was born in Switzerland in 1845. When he was just two years old, his family moved to Ohio in the United States. As a young man, he fought in the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. After the war, he went to law school at the University of Michigan Law School.
A Lawyer in Woodville
After finishing law school, Christopher Layman worked as a lawyer in Michigan for a while. Then, in 1882, he moved to Columbus, Ohio. Soon after, he came to Woodville in 1884 and opened the village's very first law firm. Besides being a lawyer, he also served as a justice of the peace. This meant he helped keep order and settled small legal problems in the community. He also worked as an agent for different insurance companies.
The Historic Building
The building that became Layman's law office was built in 1890. It is made of brick and has a strong limestone base. You can also see some sandstone details.
Italianate Style
The building is designed in the Italianate style. This style was popular in the late 1800s. While some Italianate buildings are very grand, Layman's office is a simpler, more modest building. It was built to be a useful place for business.
A Building with Many Lives
After Christopher Layman passed away, he left the building to the local public school district. From 1924 to 1964, the building was used as a doctor's office. Dr. Chester Egger, a general doctor and surgeon, worked there. After that, the building went back to being a law office. Today, a law firm called John S. Spore and Associates uses the office.
Why This Building is Special
In 1986, the Christopher C. Layman Law Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States that are worth preserving. The building was recognized for two main reasons: its interesting Italianate architecture and its connection to Christopher Layman, who was a very important person in Woodville's history.
