Howard, Adam, House
Also known as: The Howard Mansion
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 for Adam Howard and designed by Mansfield architect Vern Redding, this buff-brick mansion on South Boston Street in Galion took nearly two years to complete. Its T-shaped plan includes a red sandstone foundation, a wraparound porch with paired fluted Doric columns, a curved two-story entrance bay, Palladian windows with terra cotta trim, and a red slate hip roof. Inside are a beamed golden oak reception hall, an oval stained glass skylight, seven pillared fireplaces, original gas and electric fixtures, and a third-floor ballroom. A three-story frame carriage house stands to the rear. Howard founded the Galion Buggy Company in 1885 and after World War I produced automobiles called "the Howard." The house hosted many lavish parties and dances, and his family kept it until 1969. It was restored beginning in 1970 and is an excellent local example of Neo-classical revival architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent local example of Neo-classical revival style. It is also important as the home of Adam Howard, a prominent businessman and carriage maker who founded the Galion Buggy Company in 1885 and later built "Howard" automobiles.
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 78002032, listed March 30, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 230 S. Boston St., Galion |
|---|---|
| County | Crawford County |
| Listed | March 30, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002032 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Vern Redding |
| Architectural style | Neo-classical revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and unaltered. It was restored by its owner after 1970 and is used on a limited basis for weddings, receptions, club meetings and social events, with periodic tours. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.73113, -82.79322 (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 78002032.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137634777
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.