The Lawrence County Historical Society and Museum is located in a house built by Elizabeth Ferguson and her husband in 1870. The Italian Villa-style house features iron cresting, a double-leafed paneled door, and a tower with portholes. From 1878 to 1977, the house was owned by the Gray family whose notable members included Colonel George N. Gray, a Union soldier and ironmaster, and abolitionist John Rankin. The Museum includes exhibits on both men as well as Nannie Kelly Wright, the only female ironmaster in the U.S., and other pieces of local history.
The Queen Anne-style house called Bide-a-Wee (meaning “stay a while” in Ireland) was built by Edward James Bird, Sr. Bird passed away before construction was complete, and his widow sold it to Edwin Bixby, president of the First National Bank of Ironton. After his death, Bixby’s widow sold it to Nannie Kelly Wright, the only female ironmaster in the U.S. and one of the richest women of her time. Today, Judge Richard Walton and his family own Bide-a-Wee.
The Ro-Na Theater had its grand opening in 1949 with the film “Once More My Darling.” The art-deco style theater was one of the finest in Ohio, with extras such as air-conditioning and lounges. It closed in 1978 and collected dust until it was given to the city in 2008. Since then, renovations have replaced the roof, repaired the marquee, and restored other original features. Today, the Ro-Na Cultural Center hosts events such as “Dr. DeKay’s House of Screams” as a part of continuing fundraising efforts.
Unger’s Shoes, which sells orthopedic shoes, is the oldest shoe store in the Ironton area. Gene Unger began selling shoes by leasing the shoe department at Gambler’s Department Store from 1937 to 1942. After coming home from World War II, he opened his own shop in 1946 in an Art Moderne-style building, a rarity in Appalachia. Unger died in 1995, but his family continues to run Unger’s Shoes, which now boasts two board-certified staff members who can deal with prescriptions from physicians.
The Ironton Train Depot, completed in 1907, was used by the Norfolk and Western Railway Company for both passenger and freight trains until it closed in 1969. Almost a decade later, the depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Since then, the 5,000-square foot building has housed a number of restaurants, including its current tenant, “The Depot.”
The Red Cross Drug Store was once operated by Dr. Charles Anthony "Carl" Hoffman from Ironton, OH. After working at the pharmacy for many years, Dr. Hoffman became a urologist and opened a clinic in Huntington, WV. In 1972, he was elected as the president of the American Medical Association. Dr. Hoffman's papers and medical library are housed at the Marshall University Special Collections in Huntington, WV at Accessions 1974/01.0094 and 1977/06.0189.
The Iron Bank, co-founded by residents and the founder of Ironton, opened for business on July 11, 1851. After some changes in location and a merger, the bank operating as the First National Bank of Ironton constructed this building on Third Street. In the 1970s, the bank was purchased by the First National Bank of Cincinnati, which subsequently became the Star Banc Corporation and finally the U. S. Bank National Association.
The First United Methodist Church of Ironton was built in 1893. It was originally home to the Spencer Methodist Church, which later consolidated with the Wesley Methodist Church in 1913. The church was designed in the Victorian Gothic style and features stained glass windows, a curved chancel rail (also called an altar rail), and balcony seats from the first Spencer Church, built in 1852. Since its erection, only one addition has been made to the church: the Education Building, finished in 1967.
This historic home was built in 1850 for abolitionist and Ironton-founder John Campbell. Campbell used his home to assist fugitive slaves on their journey from slavery in Kentucky to freedom in the north. The 22-room home was later utilized as Baker Funeral Home and is presently home to the Lawrence County Community Action Agency.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour starts at the home of abolitionist and Ironton founder John Campbell and includes a variety of historic buildings and landmarks. The tour includes the newly-renovated Ro-Na Theatre, the former home of Nannie Kelly Wright known as "Bide-a-Wee," and the Lawrence County Historical Society and Museum where residents and visitors can learn even more about the history of this community.
