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Four Oxford buildings receive historical markers

Molly Carroll, For The Miami Student

The Historical and Architectural Preservation Commission (HAPC) held its third annual Historic Marker Ceremony at the Oxford Community Arts Center celebrating four unique buildings as official historic markers in Oxford, Ohio.

The four historical markers that were presented this year include Lewis Place, Stanton Bonham House, the Sears House and the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Some buildings that have been awarded markers in the past include Davis Hall on 26 and 28 W. High St. and the William Holmes McGuffey House on 410 E. Spring St.

"Each building has significant reason to be included as a historical marker," Sam Perry, one of the HAPC supervisors said.

The HAPC arranged for the historical marker ceremony to first begin in 2009.

The buildings that receive historic markers in Oxford can receive either a Tier One marker, which is for a Preservation Award or a Tier Two marker.

The program that the historic marker ceremony gave out at the presentation described a Tier One marker as, "buildings that must be awarded nominations of exceptional preservation efforts in the past, or for intact and well maintained architecturally significant structures that contribute positively to the historic fabric of the city."

Also according to the program, a building can receive a Tier Two marker as well, this is when a building is considered a significant historic site or structure because someone significant has visited or lived in the building.

The Sears Building, which is located on Walnut Street, is the only one out of the four buildings to have received a Tier One plaque.

"The building received the Tier One plaque for its efforts to restore the building but, kept it looking like it originally did in 1927," Perry said.

The Sears House is the only building out of the four to receive the Tier One award. The house has a beautiful brick porch and three-tiered structure.

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Since the house is so old and has such great significance to Oxford it is understandable why so much effort has gone into the preservation of this building.

The other three houses all received the Tier Two award for their historic significance. Lewis Place was built in 1839 and has been the home of all of the Miami Presidents since 1903; current Miami President David Hodge lives there now.

The Stanton Bonham House was built in 1868 and is located on E. Spring St. Its brick structure and large bay windows contribute to its rich colonial presence.

"Since the Stanton Bonham House was built two Miami Presidents have lived there as well as Cady Stanton who was a leader in the Women's Rights Movement and close friends with Susan B Anthony," Perry said.

Cady Stanton was also a sister of a Miami President.

The David Swing No. 2 house, better known as the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house, was built in 1857 and is located on 112 S. Campus Ave.

The building was recognized as a significant historic marker in Oxford due to many famous people who had lived and visited there.

"Many famous people visited the David Swing No. 2 house due to David Sweeney who was a famous preacher and botanist at Miami," Perry said. "Ralph Waldo Emerson was amongst many of the famous people who stayed in the house."

It is unsure that many people know the history that is behind the buildings in Oxford.

"I had no clue about the historical significance the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity had, I feel like I'm always findings out new facts about this campus," sophomore Clay Packel said.

HAPC is getting more people to understand the historical significance that Miami University and Oxford has.

"It really puts it into perspective how old this school is," first-year Isabelle Bromberg said.