Waterville in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society
— Ohio Historical Marker —
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 18, 2016
1. Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society Marker
Close up view of side A of the marker.
Text on Side A:
Henry Hanford Wakeman (1840-1879) of New York came to Waterville and became a successful businessman. He conceived the idea of a local Masonic Lodge, which became Wakeman Lodge No. 522 Free and Accepted Masons in 1879, and bequeathed $1,000 toward the construction of a meeting place. In 1880, a cornerstone was laid and this building was dedicated on October 21, 1881. For over 100 years, the Masons held their meetings upstairs while the lower floor was often rented out to a succession of businesses or used for public gatherings. Rising maintenance expenses and lower membership numbers caused the Masons to put Wakeman Hall up for sale in 1995. The Waterville Historical Society purchased the building in 1997 and spent several years rehabilitating it to serve as a local history archive and the Historical Society's meeting place.
Text on Side B:
In 1964, thirty-four citizens concerned about preserving the history of Waterville organized the Waterville Historical Society. Members held meetings in churches and homes. The second floor of a commercial building at 19 North Third Street served as a small museum displaying donated artifacts and memorabilia.
this page online
Erected 2014 by Waterville Historical Society, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 64-48.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 21, 1881.
Location. 41° 29.95′ N, 83° 43.28′ W. Marker is in Waterville, Ohio, in Lucas County. Marker is at the intersection of Farnsworth Road (Ohio Route 64) and North 4th Street, on the left when traveling west on Farnsworth Road. The marker is located along the edge of the side parking lot, amongst the landscaping along the near back, east side of the building, facing downtown Waterville and the Anthony Wayne Trail. Touch for map.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 18, 2016
2. Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society Marker
Close up view of side B of the marker.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Waterville Veterans Memorial Flagpole (within shouting distance of this marker); John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio / The Miami and Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); The Liberty House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Columbian House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterville Civil War Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); The Oliver Pray House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stitt Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Miamis Reserve/Miltonville (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterville.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 18, 2016
3. Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society Marker
View of the marker, looking east, in the direction of downtown Waterville, with a view of the Anthony Trail (which was built atop the filled in Miami-Erie Canal) in the background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 18, 2016
4. Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society Marker
View of the marker, looking north, along the east side of the building, with a distant view looking north along North 4th Street.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 18, 2016
5. Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society Marker
View of the marker along the east side of the building, looking west, along Farnsworth Street.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 18, 2016
6. Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society Marker
A distant view of the marker, looking west along Farnsworth Street, as seen from across the intersection of the Anthony Wayne Trail and Farnsworth Street, with a view of the featured building in the background of the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
