Exploring Ashtabula County History

Going to TRY to create a page with some pictures and information from my personal exploration of the County's history, which started in local cemeteries and has occasionally involved exploring other local places of significance.

One person in whom I've taken a particular interest is James L. Smith, who contributed a great deal to the City of Ashtabula. I obtained a copy of a booklet about him called the Smith Estate History and even went to the trouble of getting it in PDF format to be shared on the internet and accessible to everyone--I will likely have several posts devoted just to him--below are a few pictures depicting some of his legacy to the City...

Plaque at the James Lewis Smith Courtyard in front of Ashtabula County Medical Center. Smith donated the land on which the hospital sits after the Bridge Disaster of 1876 showed a real need for a hospital.

The former Park Haven Nursing Home--the front part was originally the home of James L. Smith and his family. They added onto the building and turned it into the James Hotel. In Smith's will, he specified he wanted the bulk of his estate to go towards building a home for aged women in honor of his Mother, who had lived past the age of 90--the hotel was converted into the Smith Home for Aged Women. It was ran by and largely funded from the Smith Estate until the 1980's, at which time it became privately owned. 

The Smith Mausoleum at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Ashtabula, where James L. Smith and his Mother are located.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Veteran's Park in Ashtabula, which was funded and erected by James L. Smith.

Inscription on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. 

Stone near entrance of First United Methodist Church on Elm Avenue in Ashtabula, which was originally called the Gillmore-Smith Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of James L. Smith's Grandfather (Reverened James Gillmore) and Parents and for which James L. Smith donated the land.

A picture of First United Methodist Church.

Monument to the fallen members of the Knights of Pythias erected by James L. Smith in Chestnut Grove Cemetery--his mausoleum, also depicted, is located near this monument.

James L. Smith designated in his will that the land on which the park known as Smith Field sits would be leased to the City of Ashtabula for free for use as a public park as part of a 99 year lease (which will expire in a couple years and which it is expected the Smith Estate Trustees will then give to the city for continued use as a public park). This designation preserved this piece of prime real estate in the center of the City for green space and public use and recreation.