Reflections on the Demolition of "Mudhouse Mansion"

This is a disheartening article.

Perhaps more depressing than the house's destruction — which I've long anticipated — are David Mast's apathy-exuding comments:

David Mast, the son of Jeane Mast, who owns Mudhouse Mansion along Mud House Road in Pleasant Township, sees the home as 'just a farmhouse,' and one he was never particularly fond of.

Mast told the uneventful stories of his experience in the home while it was being torn down Monday by Kull Excavating. 

'That house is not my cup of tea,' Mast said, adding that it would cost millions to make the house safe and livable. 

Mast said he’s never understood people’s draw to the home[.]

I dispute Mr. Mast's judgment. Surely, during his drives through the Ohio countryside, he has observed many farmhouses; that none quite resemble his farmhouse should indicate something about its significance.

But, alas, Mast's view predominates in contemporary America. Truly significant buildings are "just farmhouses." The great works of philosophy and literature are "just old books," and the thinkers who penned them are "just dead guys." Our culture has become terribly, terribly ahistorical, willing to fling away anything perceived as irrelevant. Americans ought to read about Chesterton's fence.

This passage, from another article about the demolition, also bothers me:

The Lancaster Historical Society said Monday that the structure was not a historical landmark. Even they were surprised by the outcry from the public.

Simply because a building is excluded from the National Register of Historic Places does not mean it lacks significance. The National Register is not an exhaustive listing of "historical landmarks," nor is every listed structure, frankly, noteworthy. The reasoning, "Building X isn't listed on the National Register (or a local register); therefore, building X isn't historic" — common among even self-proclaimed lovers of history — reveals an ignorance about the Register itself, and about what the word "historic" truly means.

I've encountered some individuals who decry the National Register as a violation of property rights. They ought to visit the program's website:

• National Register listing places no obligations on private property owners. There are no restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of private property. 

• National Register listing does not lead to public acquisition or require public access. 

• A property will not be listed if, for individual properties, the owner objects, or for districts, a majority of property owners object.

The National Register of Historic Places no more undermines property rights than does a library's local history section.

Clarridge Log House

Pleasant Township, Madison County, Ohio

One of few log homes extant in southeastern Madison County, and possibly a relocated building. The 1862 map marks no structures at this location, then owned by William J. Creath; Creath's residence stood to the north, on the west side of modern State Route 56. By 1875, ownership had passed to David M. Clarridge (1834–1913), a corporal in the 30th Ohio Infantry. The 1875 atlas omits Creath's dwelling and indicates the depicted building; perhaps, the two are the same structure, moved between 1862 and 1875.

Southeast elevation. Note the attached brick outbuilding (summer kitchen?).

This steeple notching is somewhat crudely handled, with enormous gaps between logs. The bottom side wall log is missing entirely.

Logs sheltered by porch; facade. Evidently, these logs were exposed and painted prior to the porch's construction.

The uppermost (plate?) log appears to simply rest atop the log below, without notching.

The hewed joists may be original.

The staircase — likely a replacement — stands in the historically correct location, turning toward the fireplace. The mantel, too, is perhaps unoriginal (though I must confess, I'm no mantel expert); a later renovation sealed it with bricks.

Finally, a floor plan.