Originally published in The Chronicle-Telegram
OBERLIN — If you don’t know much about the Oberlin Early Childhood Center, you’ll likely be familiar with at least one aspect — the 1920s-era C&O caboose behind the center.
Located at 317 E. College St., the caboose was donated to the center by Eric Nord of the Lorain County Nord Family Foundation. It has been beloved by children for decades, but over the years has fallen into disrepair. There were only two options: either invest in some very extensive restoration work or tear down the caboose and haul it away.
Thankfully for nostalgia’s sake, restoration is underway by Matt Lunsford of Lunsford Group LLC. But the restoration project is just the beginning.