Jones-Bowman House
Also known as: Lile,Floyd,House
Why it's listed
This two-story frame house at 540 Pittsburgh Street in Columbiana, Ohio, was probably built about 1842 by J. (Joshua?) Jones, son of the abolitionist Catlett Jones. The house is L-shaped and rests on a stone foundation. Its south facade is five bays wide with a recessed center doorway framed by square wood columns, a wide entablature, a transom and sidelights. Windows are six-over-six with narrow triangular pediments, and the cornice returns at the gable ends reflect Greek Revival detail. A later two-story addition fills the angle of the L. Inside are pegged floors, ten-foot ceilings, four wood-burning fireplaces and a spiral staircase, all described as original. The house is considered an early, well-preserved example of regional architecture that keeps its farm-like setting. It is also believed to have served on the Underground Railroad. In 1885 the property was bought by E. Bowman, daughter of Melvina (Jones) and Joshua Bowman.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an early and particularly well-preserved house in Columbiana County. The simple moldings and entrance make it a good example of regional architecture, and it keeps its original farm-like setting. It is also believed to have been used on the Underground Railroad.
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 76001383, listed December 12, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 540 Pittsburgh St., Columbiana |
|---|---|
| County | Columbiana County |
| Listed | December 12, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001383 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | J. (Joshua?) Jones |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in good condition, with alterations including a later rear addition and rebuilt chimneys. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.88238, -80.68527 (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 76001383.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6275091
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.