Look About Lodge
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Look About Lodge is a rustic, two-story meeting hall of horizontal American chestnut logs, set in a wooded clearing on the edge of South Chagrin Reservation in Bentleyville, Ohio. Skilled Works Progress Administration craftsmen built it from 1936 to 1938 for the Cleveland Natural Science Club, using plans by architect A. G. Nosek Jr. and land provided by the Cleveland Metropolitan Park District. Its sandstone columns, stone fireplaces, split-log stairs and a museum fireplace made of stones from every state reflect the rustic tradition of national park lodges. The building served as a home for the club's library, museum, classes, lectures and trail work, and it became a center for nature education in the Cleveland area. The club passed ownership to Cleveland Metroparks in 1993, and the lodge remains in use for meetings and nature programs. Few changes have been made, and it keeps its rustic character and many original furnishings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion A for its role in nature education, environmental preservation and recreation for greater Cleveland through a collaboration of two public bodies and a private club. Under Criterion C it is a notable example of rustic park architecture and of Nosek's work. It is also a reminder of WPA relief construction in the Cleveland Metropolitan Park District.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000271, listed April 12, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 37374 Miles Rd., Bentleyville |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | April 12, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000271 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1938 - 1955 |
| Architect / builder | Anton George Nosek Jr., of Fitzwater Road, Brecksville, Ohio. |
| Architectural style | Other: Rustic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Reported in continuous use since 1938 for recreation, social activities and nature education. It is used for meetings and nature programs and houses naturalists' offices, with few changes over the years. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.24336, -81.42035 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06000271.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137640690
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.