Spring Hill BOMA identifies four historical sites in the city

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted this week to identify four sites within the city that are considered historically significant.

Each of these sites were presented per the city's policy for identifying historical sites adopted last year, as found in the city's municipal code. The policy states the BOMA can approve these sites based on recommendations from the Spring Hill Historical Commission, as well as the property owner.

The policy does not state any plans to preserve or renovate the proposed sites, but merely designates them as historically significant as a means to "provide a sense of commitment and continuity between the past and present through the encouragement of preservation and protection of historically significant sites and structures; and to foster civic pride and historic recognition through the preservation of the city’s heritage."

"There was a lot of work put into this by the historical commission to reach out to these landowners and have them apply," Alderman William Pomeroy, who also serves on the historical commission, said.

The four sites identified Monday include property at 407 McClemore, known as Old City Hall and fire station, property in which the city has ownership.

The second site is located at 5326 Main Street, known as the J.S. and Charlie Odil House, which is estimated to date back to the year 1900. John S. Odil was also part owner of the first grocery store in Spring Hill before dying in 1920.

The third site located at 5276 Main Street is the Mount Hope Baptist Church, the deed of which dates back to 1831. The building was later used as a school primarily for young black children, where it remained active until the early 1900s.

The fourth site was not a building, house or former government office, but the old metal arched Kedron Pike Bridge located at McCutcheon Creek, dating back to the 1930s.

"If you want to see the bridge, you only have a few weeks before it gets all covered up in leaves," Pomeroy said. "It's your only chance until next October or November."

All of these sites were adopted unanimously by BOMA members.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: BOMA identifies four historical sites in the city