Toledo’s Old West End: Cathedral Neighborhood Stroll

(4 reviews)

Toledo, Ohio audio tour: Toledo’s Old West End: Cathedral Neighborhood Stroll

This is a 1.8mi walking tour

It takes an average of 180 mins to complete.

Toledo, Ohio

The United States

$8.99

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About the Tour

Embark on a captivating journey through the streets surrounding the magnificent Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo's Old West End Historic District, where architectural wonders await your discovery.

During this 90-minute walking tour, immerse yourself in one of the nation's largest collections of Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and Crafts homes—each brimming with stories of the remarkable individuals who once inhabited them. Prepare to be enchanted as we unveil the intriguing influence of Toledo's sister city in Spain on the Glass City’s grand cathedral.

Led by award-winning history author Tedd Long and accompanied by Dr. Ted Ligibel, esteemed Director Emeritus of Eastern Michigan University's renowned Historic Preservation program, this stroll promises a delightful blend of captivating narratives and breathtaking architectural styles. Dr. Ligibel's vast expertise, from his early days with the Landmarks Committee of the Maumee Valley Historical Society in 1974, adds depth and insight to your exploration that you won't hear anywhere else.

Whether you're a classic design connoisseur or adore a compelling tale, this journey will leave you spellbound. Join us as we unveil the splendor and grace of the Cathedral Neighborhood of Toledo's Old West End Historic District, focusing on the timeless allure of Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Other highlights include:

The massive, Neoclassical Collingwood Villa.
The custom-built home of Gerald Jimmy Hayes, the gambling kingpin who brought order to organized crime in Toledo during the 1920s.
The Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum, originally the site of St. Luke's Hospital, a beautiful 2-acre park that is home to summer concerts, movie nights, weddings & other events .
The Olde Towne neighborhood, named in honor of the lost town of Tremainsville, home to many of Toledo's upper-middle-class businessmen, artisans, lawyers, and doctors.
The early history of the Old West End explained by Dr. Ted Ligibel.

If you appreciate architectural heritage, local history, cultural diversity, or community preservation, you'll enjoy this multifaceted tour. It is part of a three-part series offering a captivating glimpse into Toledo's enchanting Old West End Historic District, exclusively available on the VoiceMap app.

Tour Producer

Tedd Long

15 tours

Hi, I’m Tedd Long—history geek, storyteller, and creator of HolyToledoHistory.com. My passion is uncovering the fascinating, funny, and sometimes jaw-dropping stories that shaped Toledo and the Maumee Valley.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll hear things that make you say, “I never knew that!” From forgotten gangster hideouts to remarkable riverfront landmarks, I’ll take you beyond the obvious and reveal the city’s hidden history.

My tours blend rich storytelling, local legends, and insider tips—like the best spots for a cold drink, a great meal, or the perfect photo. Every route is designed so you can explore at your own pace, with VoiceMap-guided stops that bring the past to life right where it happened.

Come walk or drive with me through history. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this place—and maybe a few stories of your own to share. Let’s go explore!

Preview Location

Location 27

Rosary Cathedral | 2535 Collingwood Blvd

Let's pause here in front and take in this magnificent Platteresque style cathedral.

Plateresque is a highly elaborate, decorative style used on a number of buildings in Spain from the end of the 1400s to about the mid-1500s. It was a time when the country was transforming... Let's pause here in front and take in this magnificent Platteresque style cathedral.

Plateresque is a highly elaborate, decorative style used on a number of buildings in Spain from the end of the 1400s to about the mid-1500s. It was a time when the country was transforming from late Gothic architecture inspired by northern Europe to Renaissance architecture of Italian inspiration. The style is used here in honor of Toledo’s sister city, Toledo, Spain. This is a massive structure, 285 feet long by 215 feet wide. The towering thick walls are constructed of vane-colored stone studded with pinnacled buttresses and topped with a tile roof of bold oranges, purple-blues, greens, and other colors.

The stone facade leads your eye to the innermost portion of its arched recesses where a statue of Our Lady stands en-throned beneath a crest-like canopy. Carved of a single block of Indiana limestone, the over six-foot-tall sculpture is surmounted by a crown of roses with an almost-hidden halo of mosaic gold.

The facade is a study of artistic detail with its statuary, delicate stone traceries, shields, arches, spires, and magnificent twin towers bearing their namesakes Peter and Paul respectively. The oversized front doors are panelled European cypress, as are all the exterior doors, and decorated with stained glass and bronze rosettes. The entire front door can be rolled into the walls for processions on significant occasions. Above the porch is the stonework of the enormous rose window, above that the diocesan coat of arms, and the surmounting cross. The cathedral bells, housed in both towers were cast at Croyden in England and are a poignant presence in the Old West End.

Original plans called for a tall tower in the rear to complement the exterior design but money was tight and the tower was scrapped. The overall cost to build the cathedral in 1925 was $3.2 million. In today’s dollars that would be about $55 million in relative inflated worth.

While the exterior of this building is impressive, you need to see the interior to truly appreciate its beauty, craftsmanship, and sheer size. The floor to the ridge of the roof measures over 90 feet! The inside features a cream-colored Florido marble altar, wall and ceiling frescoes, stained glass windows, and a carved Black Forrest white oak pulpit. I'm afraid my descriptions can't do the interior any justice, you really must experience the inside of this sanctuary!

Visitors are welcome during parish office hours and at Mass times. The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the cathedral is open a half-hour before and after every Mass.

You might find the doors locked at the cathedral. When no one’s inside, the doors are sealed to protect the precious artwork and sacred spaces inside. During office hours, stop into the Parish Office across the drive and they'll be happy to unlock the church.

If you stop here to go inside, you can pause the tour and re-start it here to continue. When you do continue, head back north, up Collingwood Blvd, towards where we started the tour. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Collingwood Villa
Baldwin Heights Subdivision
Rosary Cathedral
Our Lady
Black Kite Coffee
Toledo Museum of Art

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Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
3023-3019 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43610, USA
Total distance

3km
Final location
3023-3019 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43610, USA
Distance back to start location

37.22m

Directions to Starting Point

Our walking tour will start at the corner of Collingwood and Central Avenue. Park your car in the Key Bank parking lot and we'll head out from there.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

The Rosary Cathedral sanctuary is a must-see. Looking for a local coffee shop? Black Kite Coffee at Collingwood and Delaware offers freshly brewed coffee, specialty drinks, plus homemade savory pies & donuts with a bohemian vibe.

Best time of day

Early mornings and afternoons are a great time to tour the Old West End. Summer evenings are nice too.

Precautions

Toledo is like most other cities around the world, in that if you are sensible and take a few common-sense precautions, you should be fine. You may not want to lug around a large camera on this two-hour stroll but certainly, bring along your phone to take some shots to share.

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App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

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Questions and Reviews

5 / 5

4 Ratings

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