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

Richards House

Lakeside Heritage Trail

— Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 —

Richards House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 23, 2025

1. Richards House Marker

Inscription. For nearly a century, the Richards was one of many welcoming Lakeside guest houses.

Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 14.)

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

Location. 41° 32.623′ N, 82° 45.041′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of Maple Avenue and West 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north on Maple Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 317 Maple 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: Same Time Next Year at Richards House (a few steps from this marker); Methodist Episcopal Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Methodist Church in Lakeside (1875) (within shouting distance of this marker); Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Hoover Potato Digger & Lakeside (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central/Hoover Auditorium (about 300 feet away); Keystone Guest House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.

Also see . . .

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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 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 29, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

2. 14. Richards House. Then
Nathaniel Byington erected a one-story dwelling on the SE corner of Maple Ave. and W. 3rd St. in 1880, and with assistance of his wife, Louisa, operated it as the Byington Boarding House for five years. In 1885, it was purchased by Rev. Jesse and Ella Richards and the name changed to the Richards House. They expanded by adding 2nd and 3rd stories

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 23, 2025

2. Richards House Marker

on the original Byington house and purchasing additional cottages to the south on Maple. The cottages were connected and large porches added. Rather than remove a large silver maple tree, they built the first and second story porches around the tree. This decision added an interesting architectural feature that lasted well into the middle of the 20th century. By 1897, the Richards House had 70 guest rooms, two cottages for employees and a cafeteria.

Jesse Richards hired Bert Vail, age 15, in 1901 as a porter. He became Mrs. Richards’ manager after her husband’s death in 1908. Bert Vail purchased the Richards House in 1911 and cared for Ella Richards until her death in 1922. Mr. Vail extended the size of the business to include a larger cafeteria that seated 200 people and a total of 90 rooms by purchasing the cottage at 318 Walnut. In 1936, Mr. Vail also purchased two cottages on the west side of Maple, opposite the Richards House, to create a much needed parking lot for guests. He had the cottages relocated to vacant lots he purchased on Poplar Ave. and 4th St.

Vail sold the Richards Hotel, as it was then known, to the Lakeside Association in 1939 and moved to Florida fulltime. Lakeside appointed Harry Knorr as manager to the hotel in addition to his management position at Hotel Lakeside. The complex was sold in 1953 to Hugh Scharer and Lou Milligan. They

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sold off the cottage at 318 Walnut in 1954 and managed the Maple complex for 18 years. Between 1972 and 1992, the complex changed ownership four times. During this period, two portions of the hotel (315 Maple and 319 Maple were sold off until only the 317 Maple section remained. That was purchased by William Drackett and Tim Hearth in 1992. They operated it as a bed & breakfast inn for a year, then renovated it into an 18 unit suite hotel called “Same Time, Next Year.”

Now
Toward the end of the ownership by Mr. Drackett and Mr. Hearth in 2002, they made the decision to convert the rental units into condominiums. This construction project resulted in the creation of 15 condominiums from studio to four-bedroom units that range in size from 254 sq. ft. to 1027 sq. ft. All are privately owned. The parking lot on the west side of Maple, created by Mr. Vail in 1936, is now reserved for condo owners. Since the buildings are not winterized, occupancy is available only from April 1 to October 30. (Submitted on August 29, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.