Tiffin in Seneca County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rezin W. Shawhan & the Seneca County Museum
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 28, 2019
1. Rezin W. Shawhan & the Seneca County Museum Marker
Inscription.
Rezin W. Shawhan and the Seneca County Museum. . The Seneca County Museum is the former home of local businessman Rezin W. Shawhan. Born in 1811, Shawhan arrived in Tiffin in 1832 and opened a store with his brother Lorenzo. The store’s success enabled Rezin to expand his interests into real estate and banking. Upon his death in 1887, his estate was valued in excess of $1 million. Much of it was bequeathed to his second wife, Della Watson Shawhan. He also left bequests to Heidelberg College, the library, and Tiffin’s churches. The Greek Revival-style house, built in 1853, was passed down through the family, ending with Lynn Troxel who, in 1941, donated it to the county for use as a museum. The house is part of the Fort Ball-Railroad Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The Seneca County Museum is the former home of local businessman Rezin W. Shawhan. Born in 1811, Shawhan arrived in Tiffin in 1832 and opened a store with his brother Lorenzo. The store’s success enabled Rezin to expand his interests into real estate and banking. Upon his death in 1887, his estate was valued in excess of $1 million. Much of it was bequeathed to his second wife, Della Watson Shawhan. He also left bequests to Heidelberg College, the library, and Tiffin’s churches. The Greek Revival-style house, built in 1853, was passed down through the family, ending with Lynn Troxel who, in 1941, donated it to the county for use as a museum. The house is part of the Fort Ball-Railroad Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Erected 2015 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Seneca County Historical Society, and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 11-74.)
Location. 41° 6.961′ N, 83° 10.872′ W. Marker is in Tiffin, Ohio,
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in Seneca County. Marker is on Clay Street west of Frost Parkway and the Sandusky River, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tiffin OH 44883, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Rezin W. Shawhan & the Seneca County Museum Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 28, 2019
3. Rezin W. Shawhan House & the Seneca County Museum
Marker is in profile just to the left of the building’s left edge.
Photographed By Craig Doda, April 2, 2022
4. The Seneca County Museum Dedication Tablet and Preservation Award
Photographed By Craig Doda, April 2, 2022
5. The Seneca County Museum Cornerstone
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on June 2, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on April 8, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.