The Kent Historical Society and Main Street Kent take a look back at the town’s architectural history in a new book titled Historic Façades of Kent, Ohio, created by designer Mark Prues. It features hundreds of photos, timelines, architectural style analysis and historical narrative for every building from the Cuyahoga River to DePeyster Street and the Fairfield Bridge to Erie Street, as well as anecdotal information gathered from residents.
“I really hope people will use this book as they think about how to change our city for the future,” says Prues. “As part of my research, I relied heavily on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, which contain detailed information about materials used in building construction and the history of downtown Kent buildings. Most of the photographs came from the Kent Historical Society collection.”
The books offers a valuable resource to building owners, city planners and developers but it’s also designed to appeal to anyone who’s walked by these buildings and been curious about their story and their past.
The book is available at the Kent Historical Society Museum shop.