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

Stone School House

Lakeside Heritage Trail

— Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 —

Stone School House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

1. Stone School House Marker

Inscription. From 1912 to 1956, students from Lakeside called this their school. Later it served as a boys' summer dormitory.

Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 29.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 41° 32.38′ N, 82° 44.999′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and West 7th Street, on the right when traveling south on Walnut Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 720 Walnut 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: L&M Railroad Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barss Chapel In The Woods (about 400 feet away); Lakeside (about 500 feet away); Chapel In The Woods (about 500 feet away); Epworth Lodge (about 500 feet away); Linga Longa (about 500 feet away); South Gate And Pillars (about 600 feet away); South Auditorium (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.

Also see . . .
1. Welcome to the Lakeside Heritage Trail. One hundred and fifty years ago, the founders of Lakeside stood on the shores of Lake Erie envisioning

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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. 29. Stone School House. Then
By the early 20th century, Lakeside and the Marblehead Peninsula’s increasing number of merchants motivated the Danbury Board of Education to explore possibilities for a new school building. The Lakeside Association agreed to lease the property on Seventh Street between Walnut and Central Avenues to the Danbury Board. The Lakeside Stone School was constructed on the property in 1911-1912 with native limestone from the Marblehead quarry. The new school opened on September 30, 1912.

From

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

2. Stone School House Marker

1912 through 1922, all 12 grades met in the school. However, the student population continued to grow and planning began for another school on Route 163. The Stone School graduated its last and largest high school class of 15 seniors in 1922. Danbury High School was opened in 1923, while the Stone School continued to serve elementary grade students until the spring of 1956. At that point, the Board of Education chose to expand the Route 163 high school, adding new space for the primary grades. The Stone School was closed and for the first time since 1883, Lakeside was without a public school on its grounds.

The Board of Education continued to use the stone building for storage until its deteriorating condition made it unsuitable. In 1962, the Lakeside Association purchased the building at public auction and completed minor renovations, including the addition of bunk beds, bathrooms and showers. The Stone School was renamed Asbury Hall for use as a boys’ dormitory and summer youth institute housing. Attendance at youth programming fell, building’s condition continued to worsen and the building was closed by the mid-1970s.

Now
Since Asbury Hall’s closure, a number of possibilities have been considered for its use. Ideas have included senior housing, a performing arts center and a museum. A 2007 project sought to promote further dialogue on possibilities for

Stone School House Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

3. Stone School House Cornerstone

the vacant building and a group of over 100 Lakesiders gathered to paint a collection of murals to mount on the window panes. Some of these art pieces are visible still today.

Conversations continue about the future use of this historic structure. Currently the space around the stone school is being used to host a bi-weekly community farmers’ market. Twice a week local bakers and farmers sell a variety of organic produce and baked goods. Lakeside’s landscaping department also uses the space for storage and staging. The property includes a community garden for Lakesiders’ use as well. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 7, 2025

4. Stone School House Cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.