Genoa in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Genoa Town Hall & Opera House
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
1. Genoa Town Hall & Opera House Marker
Side 1
The Village of Genoa and Clay Township agreed to construct a joint township and village hall in Genoa in 1884. The firm Findley & Shively of Fremont designed the hall in the High Victorian Gothic architectural style and Woodville's Fred Sandwisch was contracted to build the hall for $8,860. In 1890, the Sandusky Register declared that Genoa could "boast of having one of the finest town halls of any village of its size in Ohio." As a seat of government and an auditorium ("opera house"), the hall hosted village and township meetings, Memorial Day services, school graduations, community events, and theatrical productions. The hall also had a jail and served as a municipal garage. By early 1970s, the auditorium had been condemned and the future of the structure was uncertain.
Agnes "Tomme" Bergman (1918-2001) and the Genoa Federation of Clubs led an effort to save and revitalize the building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and renovation work was completed in 1979, supported by a $755,000 federal Economic Development Administration grant.
Erected 2020 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation; Village of Genoa; Genoa Historical Society; Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 20-62.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 41° 31.092′ N, 83° 21.509′ W. Marker is in Genoa, Ohio, in Ottawa County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and East 6th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Main St, Genoa OH 43430, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Recreational Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old School Privy (approx. ¼ mile away); Genoa (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Genoa (approx. one mile away); McCormic-Deering Farmall F-12 (approx. 1½ miles away); Martin (approx. 3 miles away); Clay Center Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Clay Center (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Genoa.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
2. Genoa Town Hall & Opera House Marker
Side 2
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
3. Genoa Town Hall & Opera House Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
4. Genoa Town Hall & Opera House
View from Main Street
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
5. Genoa Town Hall & Opera House NRHP
Added to National Register of Historic Places June 7, 1976.
Photographed By Craig Doda, April 2, 2022
6. An additional NRHP Marker inside the Genoa Town Hall & Opera House
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 6. submitted on April 8, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
