A History Lesson
I walked down Bunts today around 5:30 p.m. Just as I started, I passed a canned food library in front of St. Luke’s church. There was a note that read, “Please take what you need and leave what you can.” I think this is a wonderful reimagination of the Little Free Libraries that I have seen around town.
The most interesting find was a large Ohio Historical Marker at the corner of Bunts and Detroit. The Ohio Historical Marker program began in the 1950s and there are about 1,750 throughout the state, with 20 new signs going up each year.
This marker designated the homestead of Dr. Jared Potter Kirkland who lived here from 1839 to 1877. He was a professor, physician, naturalist and horticulturalist. Over 150 years ago he established an arboretum on this land and developed fruit and grape varieties best suited for this region.
Hearing the honking horns and car radios blaring on Bunts, it’s hard to imagine gardens in this location. It made me wonder what this corner would look like 150 years from now. I hope this marker is still here for someone else to reflect upon.
