From Knox Pages April 29, 2024
MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Landmarks Foundation presented Joel Mazza with its Historic Preservation Award for his work preserving the former school on North Mulberry Street.
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Former Mount Vernon Mayor and KCLF board member Richard Mavis presented the award at the organization’s annual meeting on Sunday.“When you are a mayor, there are several issues that can become an albatross. And schools are one of them,” Mavis said.“Fortunately, the high school on Mulberry Street is a whole different picture.”When the school district decided to sell the former high and middle school at 301 N. Mulberry, the city chose not to exercise its option to buy.Mavis recounted the school’s history from that point on, starting with the Mansfield developer whose apartment plans fell through. Another buyer installed new windows but then gutted the school of its oak floors. Vandals, squatters, and a fire followed.“It was a real issue during that period,” he said.A third owner fared no better.
“Then a knight in shining armor came in by the name of Joel Mazza,” Mavis said. “Joel Mazza was able to lift this albatross off the city’s neck.”Mavis said Mazza and his long-time business partner Robert Erlanger “made a wonderful opportunity for people looking for a place to live in the city.”“It’s a true gift to the city,” Mavis said.
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Mazza thanked Erlanger and also acknowledged the help and support of his wife and Erlanger’s wife. He admitted it wasn’t always easy.
“This has been a really fun project. Difficult and frustrating at times but very rewarding and educational too,” he said. “I really appreciate the opportunity.”
Noting his original plan was to tear down the building, Mazza said, “I just couldn’t do it.”
We Own A Lustron House!
Before restoration 2019
This two bedrooom Lustron House is now for rent at 6 West Lamartine, Mount Vernon, Ohio through Airbnb.com for short term rental and also for community group meetings. Contact Carol Rine at 740-263-9326 for details on afternoon rental. After a complete renovation with special thanks to all the volunteers and donation of materials we have been able to renovate this historic home that faced demolition after years of neglect and abandonment. We thank Lowe's, Custom Cutters and Traditions Engraving , the Knox County Master Gardeners, Hope Now, JVS, the Eagle Scouts, and United Aggregates for the donation of time and/or materials that went into this effort. Work is still in progress on the exterior and should be completed this fall. Any funds generated by the rental go to the goals of the Knox County Landmarks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation. Link to home below.
Lustron Houses are all metal houses made in Whitehall, Ohio following World War II. This innovative home design used porcelain coated surplus steel to create an affordable home to meet the post-war housing shortage. The house came in three model and four colors to choose from. It came disassembled on a truck in 3,300 pieces with a 1,000 page instruction manual. Usually, they took about 2 weeks to put together. Unfortunately, the company did not last long. Only about 2,500 were produced nationwide. Our model is number 2526 and is the last of three Lustrons built in Knox County. There are only about 1,000 left across the country today.
For more information on Lustrons, watch the video below:
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Landmarks Foundation & Barn Tour sponsors, if you would like to be a sponsor, contact us!
