Freightrain Pizza received historical building plaque

The owners of a Uhrichsville building that was once used as a train station were awarded a historic marker for their building by the Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association. The building is the home of Freightrain Pizza and is operated by owners Ken and Paula Gribben of Dover. It is located at 401 N. Main St. in Uhrichsville.

The 2024 Hero of Preservation Awards Night was held May 2 at the Geib Family Center in Dover. The mission of the TCHHA is to recognize, document, preserve and protect local historic structures and neighborhoods. The group also hosts the annual Christmas Tour of Homes, which will be held Dec. 8 this year.

The marker was awarded because its owners have maintained its historic appearance over the years. Signage on the top of the building reads “freight station,” and the Pennsylvania Railroad logo remains.

“People stop by to take photos,” Ken Gribben said.

County records show the building was built in the early 1900s. However, in further research it was discovered the current freight building was built in 1947 and abandoned by Pennsylvania Railroad in 1959, consolidating freight handling at the Dennison Depot.

This depot replaced an 1881 freight depot located in the general area that was used by the Pennsylvania Railroad and the B&O Railroad until the B&O left the building in 1921.

The building was later used as a market and housed two other pizza shops before the Gribbens purchased it and began renovations in 2022.

While the outside of the building remained the same, they did many renovations inside to get their new business up and running. They replaced the furnace, moved a sink, replaced some of the windows, changed the angle of a hallway and replaced wall coverings.

“It just has a homey feeling,” Paula Gribben said.

They love to hear the sound of the trains that go every day but Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s cool to hear the train whistle,” Ken Gribben said. He retired from a job in manufacturing prior to the couple purchasing the building.

After going their separate ways for work during their marriage, the couple knew they wanted a business where they could work together.

“We were apart from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day,” Ken Gribben said. “It’s a better situation. We prayed for this, and it all clicked.”

Their menu includes appetizers, salad, pizzas of all sizes, French bread pizzas and cheesy French bread.

“French bread was always made here, and we wanted to keep the tradition going. We bake our own bread, and it’s pretty popular,” Paula Gribben said.

They also offer cookies from Tina Kay’s Cutouts and brownies from Rick’s Brownie Bliss. For more information visit their Facebook page at Freightrain Pizza. The shop celebrated its one-year anniversary on May 3.

Others receiving historical markers for their buildings were the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church of Gnadenhutten, built in 1881; St. John’s United Church of Christ of Dover, built in 1881; and Warther Museum of Dover for its button house (built in 1936), workshop (built in 1902) and B&O Rail Telegraph Office, which dates back to 1890.

Three awards were given for the Hero of Preservation.

Tod Carper of Dover, who owns two downtown buildings in Dover at 119 and 123 W. Third St., was honored. The buildings contain his businesses and also his home. The structures were built in the 1920s.

Ron and Amy Eckley were honored as Heroes of Preservation for their 1928 Mediterranean-style house on North Broadway in New Philadelphia.

“They have done extensive restoration on both interior and exterior,” said Liz Hipp, a member of the TCHHA. “He’s retired, and he loves to restore historic homes needing a face-lift and then sell them in order to find another.”

Seth Angel of New Philadelphia received the 2024 Hero of History.

“Seth has an extensive history in taking part in Tuscarawas County through his reenactments, volunteering at historic sites, talks and presentations, and his written articles such as the Tuscarawas County Historical Society’s The Chronicler and for the Genealogical Society,” Hipp said.

Tom and Kim Klingaman of Zoar received a Heritage Home Award for a home built prior to 1901 that maintains its original appearance and character. The center of their home was built from 1817-20, and the east and west wings were built from 1820-90.

20th Century Heritage Home Awards for a home built from 1901-30 that maintains its original appearance and character went to Rebecca Welch of Dennison, Carl and Robin Mackey of New Philadelphia, David and Elizabeth Hipp of New Philadelphia, and the Warther Home in Dover.

Heritage Home Association meetings are held the first Thursday of the month. Memberships are available for individuals, couples, businesses or nonprofit organizations. A lifetime membership option also is available.

Heritage Home Association members have in common an understanding of the importance of preservation, restoration efforts and history. Ownership of a historic property is not necessary for membership.

Visit www.tuschha.org.