Circleville, OH — Just before midnight on September 24, 2024, a fire completely destroyed Shelter House #1, the historic wooden structure featuring the Ted Lewis mural, located in one of Circleville’s parks. The blaze is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshall, and a suspect has been apprehended and charged with arson and trespassing.
The fire resulted in significant losses, including
• The entire shelter house and Ted Lewis mural
• 15 picnic tables
• An extra rope swing for playground equipment
• Tree Commission supplies
While the loss of the over 50 year old structure was difficult, the Service Department has already been making plans to replace the old shelter house with a new, enclosed 4-season pavilion. The Service Director is applying for a grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to fund the project. However, now a new shelter house will be rebuilt with or without grant funding.
In March of this year, new shelter house photos were shown to the Council as a potential replacement to the aged structure by the Friends of Ted Lewis. Currently friends of Ted Lewis are trying to raise the 500,000 dollars to make this happen. According to Circleville administrators, they have raised around 100,000 so far. If interested in being part of this contact the group or the city.
The new location will offer inside seating all year round for Circleville residents, giving use in the winter time and weather. It will also include a concession stand, which will combine the stand that was destroyed several years ago in flooding. Along with outdoor picnic table-style seating. Hopefully, they include a Ted Lews Mural also.
