Old West End District (Toledo, Ohio) facts for kids
The Old West End is a special historic neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio. It's known for having the largest collection of beautiful old homes built in the late Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts & Crafts styles. You won't find more of these amazing houses together anywhere else east of the Mississippi River!
This neighborhood is bordered by the famous Toledo Museum of Art on its south side. On its eastern side, you'll see many different churches lining Collingwood Boulevard. The houses here come in all sizes, from smaller ones around 1,200 square feet to very large ones up to 10,000 square feet.
History of the Old West End
The very first log home in what is now the Old West End was built in 1818. A few years later, in 1829, the first tavern and store opened here.
The Old West End neighborhood was officially planned out in 1866. Rich families from downtown Toledo started moving here because it was a new area away from the busy city. Most of the neighborhood's growth happened between 1875 and 1915.
By the late 1870s, the Old West End became a very popular place to live. Many families began building their homes "out in the woods" in this area. Collingwood Avenue became famous as "the Avenue," and later as the "Avenue of Churches," because so many churches were built along it.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the neighborhood became less popular. Its decline sped up in the 1960s when new highways were built. For example, the construction of I-75 meant that entire blocks of homes had to be torn down.
Like many old cities in the U.S., Toledo's historic areas faced challenges. However, the people living in the Old West End worked hard to save many of its historic buildings. Their efforts paid off! In 1973, parts of the Old West End were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's officially recognized as an important historic district. The district was made even larger in 1984.
Since the 1970s, the Old West End has become home to many different kinds of people. This includes long-time families, older residents, and artists who love being close to the Toledo Museum of Art. The community also welcomes single people, different ethnic groups, and new residents from other countries. Many of the beautiful old houses in the neighborhood have been carefully restored.
Festivals and Tours
The Old West End is a lively place with several fun events each year:
- Old West End Festival: On the first weekend of June, residents hold their Spring Festival. It's a big party with delicious food, live entertainment, and tours of the historic homes. You can also find many garage sales happening all over the neighborhood!
- Old West End Garden Tours: In September, you can explore the beautiful gardens of the Old West End. This festival also includes concerts and tasty food.
- Tours de Noel: In December, during the holiday season, some Old West End residents open their homes for special tours. You can see how these historic houses are decorated for Christmas and other holidays.
Neighborhood Attractions
The Old West End offers many interesting places to visit:
- Countless historic homes and churches with amazing architecture.
- Mansion View Inn [1]
- Toledo Museum of Art [2]
- Toledo Symphony Orchestra (performs at the TMA Peristyle)
- Rosary Cathedral
- Collingwood Arts Center [3]
You can also find out more about the community through these organizations:
- Old West End Association [4]
- Old West End Security [5]
- Women of The Old West End [6]
- Old West End Photos [7]
Images for kids
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John N. Willys Residence in the Old West End, 2019
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House on Robinwood Avenue, 2019
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Haughton Residence, exterior views, 2019 - DPLA - f182677c2a28a9534c9a430a3ac4a596 (page 1).jpg
Haughton Residence in the Old West End, 2019
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Edwin J. Marshall Residence in the Old West End, 2019
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E.H. Witker Residence in the Old West End, 2019
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House on Robinwood Avenue, 2019
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F. E. Cottrell apartment building in the Old West End, 2019
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Collingwood Boulevard apartment building in Old West End, 2019
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Edward Drummond Libbey Residence in the Old West End, 2018
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House on Scottwood Avenue in the Old West End, 2020
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Harry W. Wachter residence in the Old West End, 2019
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Reynolds Residence in the Old West End, 2018
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William Morrison Residence in the Old West End, 2018
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The Toledo Museum of Art, founded by Edward Drummond Libbey
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