MANSFIELD – On either side of Park Avenue West, the street is lined with historical homes that may seem in disrepair, but actually hold plenty of potential for future buyers.
For homeowner Jeff Cramer, preserving the original history of his 312 Park Ave. West home was important, but had to be balanced with modern updates to make the home livable for his young family.
“I like the history of Mansfield, it has a very rich history,” Cramer said. “To see things being torn down that has a piece of Mansfield with it is heartbreaking.
“When we had the opportunity to work with Mosaic Church and take over the ownership of this house, it seemed like a good fit.”
Since acquiring the house in September 2015, Cramer has been working to put the original house back together. The structure retains its original entryway and many other historical features, but throughout the years many renovations have chipped away at its infrastructure.
Many renovations happened when the original single-family home was turned into a doctor’s office.
“When we bought it the tile actually said ‘family doctor’ still on the floor,” Cramer said. “They put temporary partition walls to divide for examining rooms. Then all those spaces were turned into apartments.”
After the house served as apartments it stood vacant for five years, making it a target for squatters. After Cramer took ownership, more renovations began. His background as the Architectural/Engineering Design teacher at Mansfield Senior High provided a skill set necessary for the task.
“I’ve always been interested in architecture,” Cramer said. “The easy fix is turning it back into the original house, that’s what this house was supposed to be. And the history buff in me wants to turn it back into the original house.”
According to Cramer, his house was built in the 1890s. The original owner, Richland County Judge Andrew J. Mack, only lived in the house for a few years before dying at the age of 50 in 1895. His funeral was actually held inside the home.
The original design had two living spaces, which will be turned into a kitchen and dining room. The original dining room will be transformed into the Cramer’s living room. The entire house has six fireplaces, three downstairs and three upstairs in the adjoining sitting rooms of three bedrooms.
“The house used to have an original staircase, but it was removed to accommodate an apartment upstairs,” Cramer said. “So we don’t have that piece of history anymore, unfortunately, but for now this is what we’re going to live with.”
Cramer has redesigned the bedrooms upstairs to include a master bedroom and sitting area, and three additional bedrooms for his three daughters, ages 2, 10 and 11. He noted the girls are extremely excited about the move.
“I think this would be a dream house for any kid to move into, there are so many nooks and crannies to play hide-and-seek in for hours and not be found,” he said with a laugh.
The house also includes space that was once servants’ quarters, a smaller space without a fireplace that had been made into a kitchen for apartment living. Cramer said that space will be made into a guest bedroom.
“There are different things we’d like to do with this house having such a big house, like foster kids or adopting,” he said. “This space makes it a possibility.”
Overall, the project has been a massive undertaking but one Cramer is happy to complete. He stated often times it is more cost-effective to renovate a historical home, and by restoring the home gives it a second chance.
“Hopefully we can be the example of this can be done, these houses don’t have to be torn down,” he said. “You can get some of these houses for $1,000 through the Richland County Land Reutilization Corporation and put $50,000 into the house to make it what you want it to be, and at the end of the day that’s your payment on the house.
“If you’re willing to deal with the stress, you can customize it to whatever you want.”
The Cramers hope to move into their new home sometime in June. In the meantime, work will continue.
“This is much larger than anything I’m used to, but it’s all a blessing,” Cramer said.
