Kumler, Elias, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1856 at 120 South Main Street in Oxford, Ohio, this one-and-a-half-story brick house was constructed as the residence of Elias Kumler. It is described as the finest Gothic Revival building in the community. Its most distinctive features are four steeply pitched gables, finials and drip pendants at the peaks, and wide grooved verge boards. The asymmetrical two-bay facade has a deeply recessed doorway and six-over-six windows with sandstone lintels and sills. Inside are a large foyer and an open stairway rising in two sections. The exterior has not been altered, though a rear frame addition and interior changes were made. Kumler was Oxford's first banker and supported the Junction Railway. Later owners included Ebenezer Lane, a benefactor of Lane Seminary and Oxford Female College, and Frank Cone, who lived there almost forty years. Condemned in 1975 after use as student rental housing, the house was restored.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the finest example of Gothic Revival architecture in Oxford, noted for its four steeply pitched gables and simplified wooden decoration. It is also tied to notable local families, including Kumler, Oxford's first banker, and Ebenezer Lane, a significant donor to area educational institutions.
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 80002948, listed January 3, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 120 S. Main St., Oxford |
|---|---|
| County | Butler County |
| Listed | January 3, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002948 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rescued and restored after being condemned as a health hazard in 1975; occupied, and planned for use as student rooming. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.50836, -84.74250 (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 80002948.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5360535
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.