Preserving Our History

The Peninsula Foundation owns and maintains over 20 historic properties in the Village of Peninsula. Starting in the 1960s, Robert L. Hunker purchased these endangered buildings and began painstakingly restoring them. The Peninsula Foundation continues this vision of historic preservation of one of the last remaining canal era communities in Ohio. Our mission is to continue Robert Hunker’s vision of preservation, restoration and purposeful re-use of historic properties in the Village of Peninsula.

Our Properties - Past and Present

The Peninsula Foundation- Preserving Peninsula’s Past for the Future

Peninsula General Store

In 1915, Perry and Florence Harrington traded their home for the inventory and management of the store, but did not acquire the building until 1933. Perry and Florence ...

Railroad Depot

The Valley Railway opened in 1880, building depots in Boston, Peninsula and Everett. The advent of the automobile had a negative impact on the railroad and the depots were ...

Millie’s Inn

Millie’s Inn was originally built in 1893. It survived the Flood of 1913 and was once owned by Scotty Ingerton (1886-1956), Peninsula’s only known professional baseball player.

The Cheese Factory

Built in 1887 as Peninsula’s original cheese factory, this historic building, currently used as an Airbnb, has beautiful views of the river.

The Peninsula Banking Company

The Peninsula Banking Company was chartered on September 12, 1910 with $25,000 in capital.

Bronson Memorial Church

The Bronson Memorial Church founded and built by Hermon Bronson in 1839, of white clapboard with a tower and four spires with hand carved finials.For over one hundred years, there was an active congregation. In 2003, it was deeded to the Peninsula Foundation and now serves as a very special setting for weddings, funerals, educational studies, and historic meetings.

Designer’s Barn

This magnificent structure was the home of the late Robert Hunker and is now an AirBnB with overnight accommodations for up to eight guests. Unlike many bare rentals, this one is full of historic antiques and artifacts. It is ideally situated in the heart of Peninsula within walking distance to the shops and restaurants as well as the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Freight Building

An old freight building for the railroad original to the site, now Purple Brown Farmstore.

Front House

The Front House was originally built in the 1860s. It was destroyed in a fire in 1994 but rebuilt by Robert L. Hunker almost entirely to its historic specifications. Some of the original trim was salvaged and adorns the garden on the west side of the house.

G.A.R. Hall

Built in 1851 as a one-room schoolhouse, it was remodeled in 1888 as a meeting hall for Civil War veterans. The last members of the G.A.R. returned the property to the village in 1914. The structure fell into critical disrepair by 1962 and was sold for back taxes by the Legion to Robert L. Hunker, who restored the building’s grandeur. This beautiful building is now available for rentals for weddings, reunions and meetings.

Ice House

Ice was produced during the winter months in the late 1800s after the course of the Cuyahoga River was altered to eliminate the “hook” or loop which is similar to a peninsula of land, thus the name of the village. Blocks of ice were cut and stored in this building for warm weather consumption.

Bigelow House

The Bigelow House was built around 1870.

Bigelow Motor Company – Riverview Court

Herbert Bigelow started the Bigelow Motor Company and built a sales and showroom here in 1917. It burned to the ground around 1927 and Bigelow rebuilt it with the stucco exterior that still exists today.

The Woods Store

An 1820’s restored three bedroom, two bath second floor rental in the heart of the village. Located right next to Peninsula’s coffee shop and an easy walk to the towpath, shops and restaurants.

What can we help you find?