Explore a Toledo Hidden Gem: The Old West End Neighborhood

Hidden within our city, there is a wonderful historical gem: The Old West End. The neighborhood is one of the largest collections of historical houses within the United States, and this unique bit of history is right here within our community. These houses give us a rare glimpse into the past and how Toledo looked many years ago.

The Toledo Library’s Local History Department has a wide variety of resources on homes in the Old West End — books and scrapbooks on the neighborhood, historic photographs and drawings, and historical documents in our manuscript collections.

As the Old West End prepares for its 52nd annual Old West End Festival this weekend, the Toledo Library has pulled out a small collection of some of the Old West End items to add to the celebration.

Are you interested in seeing more? Access the Toledo Library’s digital collection for more Old West End artifacts.

Magic of the Old West End

Toledo’s Old West End

Lawrence Avenue, South of Virginia, Toledo, Ohio

Parkwood Ave, Toledo, Ohio

Historic Houses on Collingwood Avenue, Toledo, Ohio

Scottwood Avenue, Toledo, Ohio

Scene Corner Ashland Ave. and Woodruff, Toledo, Ohio

These postcard images are from the Ken Levin Postcard collection. The collection was later published in the book “You will Do Better in Toledo”. The historic postcards you see here are some of the ones pertaining to the Old West End. To explore more postcards for the neighborhood, click here. 

Herman Brand Home, Toledo, Ohio (approximately 1900)

2035 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo, Ohio (approximately 1975)

2052 Robinwood Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 1967

2056 Parkwood, Toledo, Ohio 1977

Blair Museum of Lithophanes, Toledo, Ohio 1977

These photographs are just a small sample of the Old West End photographs within our collection. To access more of our digital photographs, please click here.

Spitzer-Bentley Home, Toledo, Ohio (approximately 1950)

2413 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo, Ohio (unknown date)

2233 Robinwood Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 1973

Allen DeVilbiss Home, Toledo, Ohio (approximately 1910)

Old West End Family Room, Toledo, Ohio (approximately 1890)