by Sheila Baltzell-Linn, editor of www.parkwayindependent.com, 4-20-2024

The Rockford Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1292, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, donated $2,500 to Shanes Crossing Historical Society in Rockford, OH.

Pictured (l to r) are Alex Shaffer, president of Rockford Eagles Aerie 1292 as he presents the check to Shanes Crossing Historical president Mike Schumm.

The money is to be used for the upcoming log cabin restoration project.  In the past year, the Eagles membership has given back to the community through donations to many worthy community projects – helping in countless ways. Mike Schumm thanked all Eagles members for this generous donation.

The scope of the project, according to Mike Schumm, became clear last year when the double log house of Anthony Shane in Shanes Park was evaluated for deterioration by a restoration expert. Mike Schumm explained that in 1995 the house was originally identified on the John King Farm north of Rockford and certified, by a historical expert from the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, to be the double-log house of the founder of Shanes Crossing – Anthony Chen (Shane), (now re-named Rockford, OH) The house was located on the original site of the Anthony Shane Indian Reserve and was near the road to Ft. Wayne called The General Anthony Wayne Parkway. Soldiers and travelers followed this historic road, as well as the St. Marys River in Rockford which was an extremely important waterway for traveling and trade back in the day.

The find was so tremendous, that the Shanes Crossing Historical Society immediately set in motion plans to acquire the house and resettle it in Shanes Park in Rockford.  John King arranged for the transferal of the house in 1996 after the crops came off. Rockford historical society volunteers Bill Now, Bob Beerbower, and Norm Van Tilburg, with the help of some knowledgeable and skilled craftsmen, carefully marked and dismantled the house and moved it to Shanes Park. It took them 5 years to fully restore the building including the stone fireplace and stairs to the bedroom loft. What a project! Upkeep work since has been done by volunteer Steve Thompson. A special dedication ceremony on September 2001 honored Anthony Chen (Shane), founder, as well as the dedicated workers and all of the people who donated money for the restoration project.

The log cabin has been a special source of tourism for Rockford during all festivals and events in the park since 2001. Now in 2024, 23 years later, the cabin is deteriorating due to the elements, and it needs restoration work.

Schumm stated—

“It is a one of a kind piece of history, and once it is gone, it can never be returned. How many villages can claim to have the actual log cabin of their founding architect?”

According to Mike Schumm, the restoration specialist they have called in to do the work, predicts $45,000 to $50,000 worth of repairs. Volunteers will help with some of this, saving some money. Thank you to the good people of Rockford! The cabin needs: a new roof; re-chinking of the space between the logs; log repairs; other repairs and a complete sealing process of the building.

What the Shanes Crossing Historical Society is asking of the community is money to fund this project, a worthwhile endeavor. Anthony Chen Shane, our founder, actually built and lived in the double log cabin, a pretty prestigious home for the 1820’s.

Please consider a donation, no matter how big or small, and send it to:

Leota Braun Foundation
Attn: Shanes Crossing Historical Society
Log House restoration Project
P.O. Box 364
Rockford, OH  45882

Mike Schumm can be reached at 419-305-4664, talk or text, for more information.