Lakeside in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ross Row

Lakeside Heritage Trail

— Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 —

Ross Row Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

1. Ross Row Marker

Inscription. Look around. You will see many "4-square" houses that were the early 20th century gold standard of Lakeside rental cottages.

Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 41° 32.691′ N, 82° 44.657′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of Plum Avenue and East 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on Plum Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 174 Plum Ave, Lakeside Marblehead OH 43440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lakeside Daisy (within shouting distance of this marker); Perry Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bradley Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Bradley Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); Donald & Coralen Bettinger Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Lakefront Bandstand (approx. ¼ mile away); This Bell (approx. ¼ mile away); Bell Tower (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.

Also see . . .
1. Welcome to the Lakeside Heritage Trail

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. One hundred and fifty years ago, the founders of Lakeside stood on the shores of Lake Erie envisioning a place for the faithful to gather in community. Since then, millions of people have been beckoned to this beautiful, peaceful sanctuary to deepen their connection to Lakeside’s timeless mission…

To enrich the quality of life for all people, to foster traditional Christian values, and to nurture relationships through opportunities for renewal and growth – spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically – while preserving Lakeside’s heritage.

With the new year, we welcome Lakeside’s 150th Anniversary – a time to honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. This exciting Sesquicentennial Celebration connects us to the mission through enriching religious life programs, educational lectures, cultural arts performances and recreational activities. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

2. 10. Ross Row. Then
After her husband died in 1906, Julia Ross sold their Sycamore summer cottage, built a new family cottage at 620 Lakefront and moved the family to the wide open spaces on the far east side of Lakeside. Her son, William D. Ross, began purchasing lots east of the family cottage, recognizing the potential for developing new rental properties in the area. He chose to build the new rental buildings as

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

2. Ross Row Marker

American Four Squares, a style very popular at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Reflecting President Theodore Roosevelt’s promise of a “square deal for everyone,” the design was economically space-efficient, and perfectly suited for Lakeside’s small lots. As the name suggests, the structures were two-story cottages, had square shapes, pyramidal roofs and full one-story front porches. Large windows on both the first and second floors allowed increased ventilation and great views.

W.D. Ross eventually built twenty cottages and seven apartments along the streets surrounding Perry Park. The first group of rental cottages, built in the first block of Plum, became known as Ross Row. The entry and parking area behind the houses is known as Ross Court, designated by one of the few north-south street signs not named after a tree!

W.D took his rental business very seriously and Ross cottages became known as the gold standard of vacation rentals. The “Ross Pledge” promised complete baths, electric lights, comfortable beds, complete furnishings, room to sleep 10-12 people and a view of the lake from every cottage, as well as close proximity or playgrounds and the water.

After W.D. and his wife, Evalyn, died in 1943, their sons began selling off the cottages and rental business. By 1952 the last remaining Ross unit, originally Julia’s Lakefront family cottage, was

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

3. Ross Row Marker

sold.

Now
Over a century later, it is a testament to the quality of their construction and the utility of design that all but 2 of the Ross-built cottages are still in existence. A self-guided Ross walking tour script has been developed and is available at the Lakeside Heritage Museum. While most Ross Cottages are now private residences, those available for rental can be found on the rental sites. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.