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Residents and historical groups urge commissioners to secure Braceville log cabin after ODNR grant review
Summary
Historical-society representatives and residents urged Trumbull County commissioners to pursue the five-acre parcel containing a historic log cabin rather than allow Metro Parks or others to remove it; staff were asked to confirm grant restrictions with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and deliver a written report.
Terry Shaver, representing the Braceville Historical Society, told the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners on May 20 that community members want a 5-acre parcel containing a historic log cabin to remain in the county and be preserved locally.
Shaver and several other proponents — including Cindy Vines of the Everett Historical Society and Jerry Shaver of the Maysville Historical Society — pressed the board to make an official proposal to Metro Parks and to check whether an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) grant tied to the parcel carries restrictions that would prevent transfer. "Everybody wants it to stay where it is on the 5 acres," Terry Shaver said.
Sean Shook, a former county resident, said community members feared a Metro Parks decision at an imminent meeting could allow the cabin or land to leave the county. "People are very concerned that it's going to be lost," Shook said.
County staff and commissioners discussed options for preserving the cabin, including (1) the county accepting the parcel and then leasing or deeding management to a historical society, (2) restoring the cabin in place, or (3) moving it to a public site such as the fairgrounds if keeping it onsite proved infeasible. Bill Benton (mentioned during the discussion) and the prosecutor’s office cautioned that transfers of county property and leases have legal steps and potential competitive bidding or term limits that must be observed; leasing or long-term transfers may be subject to statutory limits.
Commissioners said Zach (county staff) had been asked to check ODNR grant records and report back. The clerk reported Zach planned to submit a "lengthy detailed report" by Friday that would include ODNR feedback and options for the county. Commissioners agreed to wait for that written report before taking formal steps.
The board also agreed to draft and, if appropriate, send a letter to Metro Parks to register the county's interest before Metro Parks makes a decision. Commissioners and historical-society leaders discussed whether the county could take on ownership and then partner with Braceville Historical Society to manage tours and maintenance.
The next procedural step is Zach's written report, which the clerk said the board expects by Friday; commissioners asked that the prosecutor's office be copied on the report. If ODNR confirms there are no grant restrictions preventing transfer, the board will consider formal options (transfer, lease, or written proposal to Metro Parks) and the legal steps required for any change of ownership or long-term management arrangement.
