KIOSKS

  • January 8, 2010
  • 656
                        
Thanks to the efforts of the Historic Canal Dover Association (HCDA) over the past four years, two new additions now grace the downtown city square area of Dover. Two historically significant kiosks were recently put into place. Dover Fire Chief Russ Volkert, chairman of the design committee for the project, explained how the idea for the kiosks developed. “The kiosks were the culmination of a project we started about four years ago. Leading up to the city’s bicentennial, there was a lot of discussion and interest in the historical background of things. We wanted to do something accessible to the community in a lasting way. We wanted to do it in a way that was very public, but yet not beating anyone over the head with it. We hoped that having the larger images visible to traffic would spark interest for people to take a closer look. The back of the kiosks are more detailed.” Each design is intended to resemble pages from an old photo album. The kiosk on the corner near the Lutheran Church depicts scenes of downtown Dover’s streets over the years. The scenes range from the 1880s through the 1920s. Dover Eagles Aerie #115 worked with the HCDA to provide funding for the display. Directly across the street, on the corner occupied by the 1906 Wentz building, is the second kiosk. The Wentz building was famous for housing the beloved Spanish Ballroom on its third floor. “Beyond just looking at pictures of buildings, we want people looking at how the Spanish Ballroom was used by the community. Really, that was a big part of the social life of the Dover area for quite some time,” added Volkert. “There’s a box office type structure in the lower part with a little window, before you go up. The front of the building actually faces Wooster Avenue. It’s a pretty grand entrance, when you look at it closely.” Volkert noted that many musical groups, from local orchestras such as the Shively Yates Orchestra and the Lew Woods Band to national acts, performed at the Spanish Ballroom over the years. The kiosk showcases pictures of the activities and bands that were part of the ballroom’s history, and were provided courtesy of Gary Petricola and WJER Radio of Dover. With the kiosk project completed, the HCDA, whose motto is Preserving our Past – Preparing for our Future, has more plans in store for the Dover area. Volkert is also chair of the design committee for the next project. “We have further work that we’re doing at the reproduction of the tollbooth on Front Street, and extending the fence we’ve already started there,” said Volkert. “We’re very eagerly waiting until the Tuscarawas Avenue Bridge is done, so we can start on extensive river bank cleanup,” Volkert stated. “Our ultimate goal is to put in a recreational area along there – a hiking and biking path. We hope to tie into the Ohio and Erie Towpath trail eventually.” The Historic Canal Dover Association is comprised of about 25 members, including private citizens and local business owners. For information about the organization, visit www.canaldover.org or call 330-602-4232.


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