Celebrating the history of Lakewood’s Oldest Stone House

LAKEWOOD, Ohio (WOIO) - It’s the oldest building in Lakewood and an iconic structure.

The Oldest Stone House dates back to 1834. It’s 191 years old.

Dr. Robert Shimp is the director of the Lakewood Historical Society. A true history buff, and has been studying America since he was a kid. Now he’s using his passion to preserve Lakewood’s oldest building.

“The first owner of the home, John Honam, was a Scottish immigrant. It was a house for one individual, so it’s a really spacious house. Quite large for the period, strangely so for one individual living there. It was an apolstry shop, it was a general store, shoe repair here, it had a lot of different businesses,” said Shimp.

What makes the Oldest Stone House unique is that the building has been relocated not once, but twice. It currently sits in Lakewood Park.

“In 1952, our society’s founders, Margot Manor Butler, were able to secure the house via donation. It was moved to this location so folks could see it. Been open to the public since 1953,” said Shimp.

The Oldest Stone House welcomes hundreds of visitors yearly from March through October on Wednesdays and Sundays.