Historical Record of the Log Home Owners

 in

Symmes Township

Rich Road 1794-1843

Submitted by Nick Kurzynski

This is an updated version of what had appears in the March 2005 newsletter.

According to Henry A. Ford who wrote the History of Hamilton County in 1881, Symmes Township was created between 1820 and 1826 from the eastern part of Sycamore Township. There was added two tiers of sections on the west which had formally belonged to Springfield Township.

The next person to buy the log home area was James Findlay. Findlay signed his deed on June 4, 1811. He had bought it from John Cleves Symmes. Symmes had financial difficulties and this is probably why the deed was signed after Findlay had sold it to Enoch Buckingham in 1805. Enoch and Levi Buckingham were early settlers of Symmes Township (1794). They had land in the Miamiville area as well as the Rich Road area.

In 1808 Enoch Buckingham sold 150 aces to his brother, Levi Buckingham. Levi Buckingham then swapped property that Curtis Sears’ wife, Nancy Huey, had owned in Montgomery County, Ohio in 1823 for the log home property. Nancy Huey received the Montgomery County property after she was married from her father in 1821. Then Curtis and Nancy Sears sold the property to John Ross in 1836. It was interesting to note that there was a judgment listed on the Sears deed of 1836, which turned out to be a land swap where a court was needed to enact the transaction. John Ross then sold the property to Joseph Kibby in 1843.

We think it was between 1836 and 1843 that the log home was built since the fireplace was built inside the building and not on the outside of the building. The bricks for the upper portion of the chimney appear to be hand made - possibly at the site.

The Buckinghams probably cut trees on the Little Miami River hillside and adjoining areas to float down the Little Miami for Christian Waldschmidt’s saw mill. Wood was needed for flour and whisky barrels, farm implements, buildings and fuel for the paper mill and whisky sill at Waldschmidt’s. In the 1840’s there were 26 sawmills along the Little Miami and the flour mills produced 100,000 pounds of flour per year. The land was also ideal for livestock due to the many streams (runs) that went through the property to the Little Miami. The land along the Little Miami plateaus was known as a granary and it was used to produce wheat for flour, corn for meal and whiskey production along with oats and rye. We know flat boats were used to transport goods down the Little Miami since during the wet season it would be almost impossible to navigate the roads to the Waldschmidt Mills.

Sealed proposals will be received by the Symmes Township Historical Society on May 27, 2009, until 1:00 p.m. for the “Restoration of the Ross Family Log House Museum” Project. Bid opening shall be made public unless otherwise decided by the Owner. A bid package may be obtained at 280 E. Sharon Road.

The Bidder shall be required to base all labor prices on prevailing wages and benefits for all classes of workers. This requirement shall also apply to every Subcontractor who may be employed.

Bids will be received for:
1. New concrete foundation
2. Electrical work
3. Heating work
4. Roofing work
5. Re-construction of the log wall, floor and installation of new doors and windows and stone masonry of foundation stone and chimney (fireplace).

Sealed Proposals shall be in accordance with the Bidding Documents prepared by Addison Clipson Associated Architects, Inc. Sealed proposals to be delivered to:

Addison Clipson Associated Architects Inc.
280 E. Sharon Road
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Bidders shall complete and sign the required printed forms provided herein, including Unit Price and Substitution Sheet. Bid bond and Payment Bond are not required. A Performance Bond is required. Bidders must use the printed forms provided herein.

Bidders shall fill out, and have notarized, the affidavits relating to ownership of the company submitting the Proposal, conflict of interest, collusion, compliance with equal opportunity regulations, delinquent personal property tax statement, certification of inspection, etc. which are included in Appendix A.

The successful bidder shall demonstrate its ability to carry out the project in a satisfactory manner.

The Symmes Township Historical Society reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or to accept or reject any part thereof.