Odd Fellows' Home for Orphans, Indigent and Aged
Also known as: I.O.O.F. Home for the Aged
Why it's listed
Built as a home for orphans, indigent and aged members of the Odd Fellows, this large brick complex sits on high, wooded ground along McCreight Avenue in Springfield, Ohio. The original H-shaped section, dedicated in 1898, rises three stories over a high basement. Two octagonal towers divide the central block, which is topped by a Flemish gable, a steep chateau-style roof of red terra cotta tile and an open gothic spire. The architects, Yost & Packard of Columbus, drew on Flemish guildhalls, German townhouses and some Tudor details. Some planned gables and porticos were never built. Wings were added in 1906-07 and in the 1950s, and mature trees now screen the later additions so the original section is the part most visible. Its significance rests on architecture: it is virtually the only Chateauesque building in Springfield, and its spire is unique in the city. The design contrasts with the Romanesque Ohio Masonic Home completed in Springfield in 1895.
Significance in brief: The original 1898 portion is significant mainly for its architecture. Architects Yost & Packard chose a rare Chateauesque design, which the form describes as virtually the only example of the style in Springfield. The Flemish-style gables and the gothic spire are described as unique in the city's architecture.
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 80002956, listed April 16, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 404 E. McCreight Ave., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Clark County |
| Listed | April 16, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002956 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1897-98 |
| Architect / builder | Yost & Packard, Columbus, Ohio, architects; R. J. Evans & Son, Zanesville, contractor |
| Architectural style | Chateauesque, with Flemish and Anglo-Flemish gables and some Tudor elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a home for the aged; condition listed as excellent/good and altered. The 1950s wings are largely hidden by mature trees. |
| Acreage | 30 |
| Coordinates | 39.93991, -83.79973 (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 80002956.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7077326
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.