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To satisfy the demand for housing new neighborhoods began popping up in Huron during the 1950s and 1960s. One of the first was Elwood Heights, developed by Elmer Forthofer, a well-known Huron contractor who had built several houses in Old Homestead as well as the St. Peter’s Catholic Church school and convent.

The neighborhood was built on 21 acres Forthofer bought adjacent to Shawnee School and across Route 6 from Chaska Beach. The first several houses were built on Washington Avenue. They sold quickly because of the quality of their construction and the housing shortage that had plagued the village for the past 10 years.

Eagle Crest is a newer neighborhood located east of Elwood Heights on East Cleveland Road. Dave Dreffer and Eagle Concern Ltd purchased the land bordering the city and township in 1996 from Merritt Willgrube. He was then approached by the Conservation Fund to consider a uniquely designed conservation subdivision.

Photo for Elwood Heights/Eagle Crest
Many of the houses on the second street of Elwood Heights, first named Jefferson Avenue but later changed to Lincoln Avenue because there was already a Jefferson Street in Huron, were built by Tike Majoy of Majoy Builders.
Photo for Elwood Heights/Eagle Crest
The residential area would not only be comprised of large lots, but the perimeter grassy, naturalized fields would be aesthetically pleasing and serve to protect and cleanse the nearby waters and their habitats.
Photo for Elwood Heights/Eagle Crest
Dreffer was awarded a conservation easement in 2001 for the management of the water quality of the Hoffman and Winkler Ditches that fed Lake Erie on either side of the development. Local biologist John Blakeman planted grasses and wildflowers on the downward-sloping swails of the easement. The intention of the Conservation Fund was not fully realized as local governments required curbs and many residents preferred short manicured landscapes.
Photo for Elwood Heights/Eagle Crest
This map depicts the neighborhoods that developed around the center of Huron. In 1962 city council authorized the renaming of 32 streets to eliminate duplication of street names.

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