Geneva in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Cradle of Her Systems of Penmanship, Platt R. Spencer's Log Seminary
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 12, 2025
1. The Cradle of Her Systems of Penmanship, Platt R. Spencer's Log Seminary Marker
A mile north, on the east side of this, the Jericho Road, stood one of America's first writing schools, The Cradle of Her Systems of Penmanship, Platt R. Spencer's Log Seminary. Within its crude walls he conducted summer institutes from 1853 to 1863 expounding the beauties of his system, the Spencerian, to teachers coming from all parts of the country. Thus his teachings were widely disseminated. Across and a little north was his home 1843 to 1864. A detached wing of this stands opposite the seminary site. Here he prepared his work for its first publication in 1848; here he taught before the seminary was built.
This memorial was erected in 1926 by the sons of Sara L. Spencer Soan his eldest daughter and assistant.
Erected 1929 by Sons of Sara L. Spencer Soan his eldest daughter and assistant.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 41° 48.278′ N, 80° 56.983′ W. Marker is in Geneva, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 20) and North Eagle Street, on the right when traveling west
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Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spencerian Monument for American Handwrighting (here, next to this marker); Ransom E. Olds-Birthplace (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Geneva Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Geneva's First City Manager (about 500 feet away); Soldiers and Sailors Monument (about 600 feet away); The First Church Bell (about 700 feet away); Liberty Street Covered Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Harpersfield (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 12, 2025
2. The Cradle of Her Systems of Penmanship, Platt R. Spencer's Log Seminary Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 12, 2025
3. Ashtabula County Court - Western Area (Ashtabula Free Public Library Association)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
