Willoughby Area Welcome Center

06/10/2026

Before Amazon delivered packages to your doorstep, Sears delivered whole houses to your lot.

The Sears Modern Homes program ran for 32 years, selling over 70,000 kit homes across North America. Customers chose from more than 370 designs in a thick catalog — from modest bungalows to sprawling two‑story colonials — and the company shipped everything needed to build them.

Each house arrived by rail in a boxcar packed with over 30,000 pieces. Lumber was pre‑cut and stamped with numbers matching the assembly blueprint. Nails, paint, even the kitchen sink arrived on schedule. Advertised as buildable in about 90 days, the homes came with a 144‑page instruction book and a promise that "any man of average ability" could erect them.

Today, surviving Sears homes are architectural time capsules — still standing, still sturdy, still bearing the stamped numbers on their attic beams.

A house you could buy, build, and live in, all without visiting a lumber yard. 🏠📦

06/10/2026

Be sure to register for the Lake County History Center Community Picnic this Sunday!!!

Let's keep the party going! Join us THIS Sunday for our free community picnic to celebrate America 250! And then line dance the night away after during the free Barn Dance.
Please register at www.lakehistory.org so we know how much food to have.
*Please park at Riverside High School- there will be a free Laketran Shuttle

06/07/2026

Want more Willoughby history? Follow on Instagram!

06/06/2026

Our Willoughby Baseball League 75th anniversary display will be up at the Welcome Center through July! Stop in to take a peak and receive a tour of the Willoughby Historical Society Museum! We are open every Saturday from 9am-1pm and Sundays from 12pm-2pm!

Located at 2 Public Square, on the north side of City Hall in the old Parks & Recreation building.

06/03/2026

Join the Willoughby Historical Society for a BBQ on the lawn of the historic home of Dr. Phrania Chesbrough!

Old School Block Party Fundraiser - Saturday, June 27, 2026

Looking forward to seeing you at our big, old fashioned block party fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the lawn of Chesbrough House. This is a family-friendly event with food, raffles, and fun!

The invite is attached. Please send to address provided or give your reservation and payment to any board member by June 21st. You can also drop-off at our booth at the Saturday market. Zelle payments to willoughbyhistoricalsociety and add Block Party and number of guests to the description line.

Donations of raffle baskets and raffle items for the block party and the market welcome!

All proceeds support our work and help us bring our history alive!

05/31/2026

H. A. Sharpe 1853-1855

The first town meeting in Willoughby was held April 3, 1815, at the home of Joseph Card with Thomas Card, chairman, and Christopher Colson, clerk. The village was incorporated on August 8, 1853. H. A. Sharpe was first mayor and J. H. Boyce first recorder.

To H. A. Sharpe belongs the honor of being the first man ever to serve as Mayor of Willoughby. Mr. Sharpe was a patriotic citizen, a good organizer, an economical financier, and a good executive. He lived on River Street in a house located where the Methodist Church now stands. The house was moved to make room for the church and is now located at 90 River Street. During Sharpe’s administration, Willoughby Female Seminary was in the heyday of its career, the school building being originally located in the Bond building. It was later moved into a new building (later burned) on the site of the Willoughby Union High School.

*Note: if anyone knows the modern day address for 90 River Street please share!

05/31/2026

For the entire month of June the Willoughby Area Welcome Center will be open every Saturday from 9am-1pm and Sundays from 12pm-2pm! But as always, we offer tours by appointment as well! Stop by our museum and gift shop to learn more about the history of the City of Willoughby and browse our merchandise! As always, your entry is free!

Located at 2 Public Square, just north of City Hall in the old Parks & Rec building.

05/26/2026

The Willoughby Area Welcome Center will be open this Saturday from 9am-1pm and Sunday from 12pm-2pm! Stop in for a free museum tour from one of our local historians!

Located at 2 Public Square, just north of City Hall in the old Parks & Rec building.

05/25/2026

The Nickel Plate wreck that destroyed Beebower's Mill 11/5/1909

If anyone has any pics of Beebower's Mill please share! I have never come across one.

05/22/2026

"Foundation stone of a water-powered sawmill that was operated by a family called Gray in the late 19th century. It was located just East of the Willoughby Eastlake line and 100 ft south of Lakeshore Blvd"