Landmark project

The tour promotes awareness of local historic structures.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — “We’re so fortunate to have these treasures,” said Sharon Letson about the churches on the Sacred Landmarks Trolley Tour.

As executive director of Youngstown CityScape, she’s involved in promoting awareness and appreciation of historic area structures and sites and encouraging their preservation.

CityScape’s brochure describes it as a “grass-roots organization dedicated to revitalizing Youngstown’s downtown and gateways.” It focuses on beautification, education and historic preservation.

The group’s historic preservation committee is sponsoring the tour, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

And Youngstown isn’t lacking when it comes to the number of historic churches. But, she noted, people often ignore the significance of what’s in their own backyard.

Letson said people don’t have to travel to a major city or book a European tour to see historical sites. They can sit back and learn about the history of Youngstown and various sites along the route on the trolley tour.

Letson collaborated with Becky Smith of Warren, an intern at CityScape and graduate student at Youngstown State University who is focusing on history and historic preservation.

Urban center project

Smith said a resource for the event was information on sacred landmarks compiled by YSU’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies. Norma Stefanik, research associate/urban designer at the center, will be the tour guide. “She did the sacred landmarks project and is really an expert,” Letson said, noting that as the tour guide, Stefanik will be able to provide historical tidbits about the neighborhoods and sites the trolley passes.

The trolley itself, Letson said, will add to the tour’s historical flavor.

She said Jubilee Limousine actually bought the trolley online. It’s white with wooden seats. Though it’s engine-powered and not on a track, it will give riders a taste of a trolley ride. “I think it will give riders that feeling you get when you travel to another place to see the sights,” Letson said.

The trolley tour will offer an educational segment at the four stops. At each church, a knowledgeable member will be on hand to give a brief overview of the church and its history and point out interesting architectural features and historical aspects.

The tour will start at St. Patrick Church on the city’s South Side and conclude there for lunch.

Emphasizing the positive

So what makes this event special? “As a community, it’s good for us to understand our assets,” Letson said. “It’s pointing out special places, and that’s part of the revitalization effort. It’s seeing the positives in our community.”

Smith underscored the importance of the churches’ history in the region. “It’s a way to understand the history of the area — the groups who settled here in the Western Reserve and those who are still here.”

Letson said places are still available on the 30-seat trolley. And though she wants to fill them, she said that she’s aware of other activities in the city. “It’s a positive thing there’s competition,” she said, noting it demonstrates the city’s growing vitality.

CityScape has sponsored other such history-related outings and will do so again, Letson said.

linonis@vindy.com