Williams House
Why it's listed
Built around 1862 at 112 Gay Street in Williamsburg, Ohio, this two-story brick house follows the I-house plan in the Greek Revival style. Its five-bay south facade is symmetrical, and its roof is unusual, gabled on the west end and hipped on the east. A rear brick ell gives it an L-shaped footprint, and a frame addition was added in 1926 when the house became a two-family residence. Interior features include a center hall with an open stringer staircase, deep-lintel mantelpieces and simple door and window frames. The house has been restored as a single-family home and retains most of its original massing, plan and trim. It was listed for its architecture, as a late Greek Revival example with early Italianate details, and for its link to Byron Williams. Williams was a teacher, school official and author of county histories, and he lived and wrote here for most of his life. The period of significance ends in 1928, when the family sold the house.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the finest Greek Revival houses in Williamsburg, a late example with transitional Italianate touches and an L-shaped I-house form. It also has high integrity. It is the building best associated with Byron Williams, a locally prominent educator and historian who lived there for 52 years.
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 02000704, listed June 26, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 112 Gay St., Williamsburg |
|---|---|
| County | Clermont County |
| Listed | June 26, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000704 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1862-1928 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently restored by its present owners as a single-family residence and described as in very good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.05447, -84.04947 (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 02000704.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137613544
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.