The Art & Bessie Leybourn Memorial
Introduction
On August 21, 2018, the Ohio non-profit House of Leybourn acquired the historic brick cottage at 3502 Watson Avenue in west Toledo. Prior, the home was vacant over a year, not secure, vandalized and otherwise in disrepair.
Within several months, all points of access to the house were made secure. A security system has been installed and our team maintains the property in a safe and decent condition.
Our goal of maintaining and restoring the building continues. We look forward to partnering with other area organizations to ensure it is a benefit to the community.
Please join us as a member of the House of Leybourn and visit our website often for updates or Like our Facebook page. As an alternative, donate to our non-profit and ensure our ability to restore the home and offer to the community this unique piece of Toledo history!
Background
The brick structure at 3502 Watson Ave. in Toledo, Ohio, was erected c. 1870 and sits at the southeast corner of the former 120-acre fruit and dairy farm established in 1825 by John Leybourn and wife Jane Burton.
John Leybourn became Lucas County, Ohio's first naturalized United States citizen November 10, 1836. The Leybourn farm operated until son William’s death in 1909 when it became a housing development to accommodate Toledo’s growing auto industry.
John’s grandson, Samuel Arthur “Art” Leybourn, and his wife Esther “Bessie” Skinner, perished aboard the SS Noronic at Toronto 1947.