Kirker, Gov. Thomas, Homestead
Why it's listed
Near West Union in Adams County, Ohio, this homestead combines a 1805 hewn stone house with later additions. The original 1-1/2 story section is built of local limestone and dolomite, with walls 14 to 16 inches thick and chisel marks still visible. A two-story frame wing was added in 1852 by Captain George Kirker, the governor's youngest son, and an L-shaped rear addition followed in 1936. The house was built for Thomas Kirker, who settled outside the stockade at Massie's Station in 1795 and had Thomas Metcalf build the stone home about 250 feet from Zane's Trace. Kirker served at the 1802 constitutional convention, in both houses of the legislature, and became Ohio's second governor in 1807 after Edward Tiffin resigned. Confederate raiders under John Hunt Morgan visited in 1863 seeking horses but found none. The property has remained in the Kirker family since 1805 and keeps many original interior and window features.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is important in Ohio as the home of Thomas Kirker, Ohio's second governor, who also served as a delegate to the 1802 constitutional convention, state representative and state senator. The house was built in 1805 by Thomas Metcalf, who later became governor of Kentucky. It was visited by Confederate soldiers under General John Hunt Morgan in 1863 and has stayed in the Kirker family since 1805.
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 75001310, listed November 3, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SW of West Union on SR 136, West Union |
|---|---|
| County | Adams County |
| Listed | November 3, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001310 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Thomas Metcalf (builder of the 1805 stone section) |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition; original doors, floors, window frames and sashes retained. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 38.77444, -83.59906 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 75001310.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q60742433
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.