Cozad–Bates House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Justus L. Cozad House
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Cozad–Bates House in Cleveland, Ohio
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 Location in Cleveland
Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1508 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001435 |
| Added to NRHP | January 18, 1974 |
The Cozad–Bates House is a very old and important building in Cleveland, Ohio. It's the only house left in the University Circle area that was built before the American Civil War. You can find it where Mayfield Road meets East 115th Street. This house is famous because it played a big part in the Underground Railroad.
Andrew Cozad, who was against slavery (an abolitionist), built this house in 1853 for his son, Justus L. Cozad. In 1872, Justus added a fancy Italianate style front to the house. This style was rare for homes in America at that time. It included a special roof, curved windows, and a cool tower called a belvedere. The Cozad–Bates House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was also named a Cleveland Landmark in 2006.
The Underground Railroad and Cleveland
After the Ohio and Erie Canal opened in the 1830s, Cleveland became a key spot for people escaping slavery. It was also a place where slave hunters looked for them. Before the Civil War, enslaved people traveled through Ohio using the Underground Railroad. This secret network stretched about 250 miles from Ripley all the way to Cleveland.
Cleveland had a secret code name: "Hope." It was a final stop for freedom seekers heading north to Canada. Many people trying to escape slavery got help from abolitionists in University Circle. This area used to be part of East Cleveland Township. The Cozad family owned a lot of the land that is now University Circle.
Helping the Cozad–Bates House
A group called "Restore Cleveland Hope" is working hard to fix up the Cozad–Bates House. In 2006, University Hospitals gave the house to University Circle, Inc. This made it possible to start planning for its repair.
In 2007, a special historical marker was put up near the house. It was placed by University Circle, Inc. and the Ohio History Connection. This marker helps people learn about the house's history.
The repairs on the Cozad–Bates House are happening in different stages. First, they replaced the roof and fixed the gutters. They also repaired the belvedere tower and chimneys. Other early repairs included fixing the foundation and the front porch. Inside the house, some improvements were also made. This first part of the work cost $200,000 and finished in August 2010. Money for the repairs came from state funds and private donations.
The total cost to fully restore the house is expected to be about $3 million. The house is empty right now while more repair plans are being made.
What's Next for the House?
The "Restore Cleveland Hope" group has a big goal. They want to turn the Cozad–Bates House into an Underground Railroad Education and Resource Center. This center would teach people all about Cleveland's role in the Underground Railroad.
There's also another idea for the house. Some people have suggested turning it into a bed and breakfast. This could help raise money from private sources to finish the restoration work.
