HOWLAND TWP., Ohio - Howland Township's oldest house, the 186 year old 'Yellow House,' is in the process of being relocated. A construction project in the area is requiring the home to be moved.

Realtor Jason Altobelli said moving the house to a location near Howland Middle School was approved in June 2022.

The deck, steps and non-historical aspects are being removed first in preparation for the dismantling and moving of the entire house, which is expected to occur the week following the Fourth of July.

The house will be moved from Route 46 because of the diverging diamond highway interchange project.

"Progress has to move forward and in this case progress would have removed history," Altobelli said. "Maybe we're able to save a piece of history while we progress forward with the interchange."

Altobelli currently owns the property and decided to give the beloved house to the township's historical society, free of charge.

"Ultimately, it came down to the outcry from the community to really show the significance of the property," Altobelli said. "It was a donation to them and it also allowed them to reduce their monthly rent while they're here. I did reduce that for them as well to a land lease so we can still operate while we're in a transition period."

Several parties approved of the move, and some community members thanked Altobelli for deciding to move the house instead of demolishing it.

"There's no words," said Cindee Mines, Howland Township Historical Society member. "Thanks doesn't even begin to express how we feel about Jason and when he told us, the office was just dumbfounded."

The home was owned by the Brown Family in the 1800s.