Cozad-Bates House
Encyclopedia
Cozad-Bates House, is the oldest and only surviving pre-Civil War structure in University Circle
, Cleveland, Ohio
, located at the Mayfield Road and East 115th Street intersection. It is historically known for its involvement in the Underground Railroad
. Abolitionist Andrew Cozad built the house in 1853 for his son Justus L. Cozad, who in 1872 added a Italianate front to the structure. Architecturally, it is a rare surviving example of Italianate-influenced residential architecture in America at that time, which includes a hipped roof, curved bay windows, paired eave brackets, and prominent belvedere. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1974 and designated as a Cleveland Landmark in 2006.
in the 1830's, Cleveland became a destination for fugitive slaves and the bondsmen who tracked them. Before the Civil War
, slaves moved through Ohio
's Underground Railroad
network that extended two hundred and fifty miles from Ripley,OH
to Cleveland. Known by the secret code name "Hope," Cleveland became a destination for freedom seekers making their way north to Canada
. Persons seeking freedom were often aided by abolitionists in University Circle
, formerly a part of East Cleveland Township. The Cozad family owned a large portion of the land which is now occupied by University Circle
.
In 2007 a historical marker was erected by University Circle, Inc. and the Ohio Historical Society
. The marker is located at 41° 30.512′ N, 81° 36.185′ W.
The Cozad-Bates House's rehabilitation is currently being performed as a multi-phased endeavor. The initial steps included the replacement of the slate roof, guttering systems and construction repairs to the belvedere and chimneys. These repairs also included foundation and front porch restoration, and interior improvements. It was a four-month long process costing $200,000, which was completed in August 2010. Funding was aided by state capital appropriation of $100,000 and donations by private donors.
The current price tag on the project is projected to be $3 million. The house currently sits vacant while additional rehabilitation efforts are being planned.
history.
Another recent proposal calls for a bed and breakfast
, in order to finish the restoration using private dollars
University Circle
University Circle, is a neighborhood located on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. It is best known for its world-class cultural, educational and medical institutions, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Museum of Art, Lakeview Cemetery, and University...
, Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, located at the Mayfield Road and East 115th Street intersection. It is historically known for its involvement in the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
. Abolitionist Andrew Cozad built the house in 1853 for his son Justus L. Cozad, who in 1872 added a Italianate front to the structure. Architecturally, it is a rare surviving example of Italianate-influenced residential architecture in America at that time, which includes a hipped roof, curved bay windows, paired eave brackets, and prominent belvedere. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1974 and designated as a Cleveland Landmark in 2006.
Underground Railroad Involvement
After the opening of the Ohio and Erie CanalOhio and Erie Canal
The Ohio Canal or Ohio and Erie Canal was a canal constructed in the 1820s and early 1830s. It connected Akron, Summit County, with the Cuyahoga River near its mouth on Lake Erie in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and a few years later, with the Ohio River near Portsmouth, Scioto County, and then...
in the 1830's, Cleveland became a destination for fugitive slaves and the bondsmen who tracked them. Before the Civil War
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
, slaves moved through Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
's Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
network that extended two hundred and fifty miles from Ripley,OH
Ripley, Ohio
Ripley is a village in Brown County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River 50 miles southeast of Cincinnati. The population was 1,745 at the 2000 census.-History:...
to Cleveland. Known by the secret code name "Hope," Cleveland became a destination for freedom seekers making their way north to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Persons seeking freedom were often aided by abolitionists in University Circle
University Circle
University Circle, is a neighborhood located on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. It is best known for its world-class cultural, educational and medical institutions, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Museum of Art, Lakeview Cemetery, and University...
, formerly a part of East Cleveland Township. The Cozad family owned a large portion of the land which is now occupied by University Circle
University Circle
University Circle, is a neighborhood located on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. It is best known for its world-class cultural, educational and medical institutions, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Museum of Art, Lakeview Cemetery, and University...
.
Restoration
The nonprofit "Restore Cleveland Hope" is spearheading the effort to restore the house. On April 7, 2006, University Hospitals donated the house to University Circle, Inc, opening up the possibility for renovation.In 2007 a historical marker was erected by University Circle, Inc. and the Ohio Historical Society
Ohio Historical Society
The Ohio Historical Society is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1885 as The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society "to promote a knowledge of archaeology and history, especially in Ohio"...
. The marker is located at 41° 30.512′ N, 81° 36.185′ W.
The Cozad-Bates House's rehabilitation is currently being performed as a multi-phased endeavor. The initial steps included the replacement of the slate roof, guttering systems and construction repairs to the belvedere and chimneys. These repairs also included foundation and front porch restoration, and interior improvements. It was a four-month long process costing $200,000, which was completed in August 2010. Funding was aided by state capital appropriation of $100,000 and donations by private donors.
The current price tag on the project is projected to be $3 million. The house currently sits vacant while additional rehabilitation efforts are being planned.
Proposed Future Uses
"Restore Cleveland Hope" goal is to establish an Underground Railroad Education and Resource Center, celebrating Cleveland's Underground RailroadUnderground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
history.
Another recent proposal calls for a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
, in order to finish the restoration using private dollars