Clague House
Also known as: Clague House Museum
Why it's listed
Built in 1879, this brick house at 1371 Clague Road in Westlake is a medium-sized example of High Victorian Italianate design. It has a long rectangular block, a hipped roof with a wide double-bracketed cornice, sandstone sills and hood moldings over segmental-arched windows, and two-story bays on the side elevations. Inside, much original woodwork survives, including a Victorian staircase and the front parlor mantelpiece. The house was built by the family of Robert Clague, who was born on the Isle of Man in 1802 and settled in Dover Township, bringing his wife Margaret in 1837. His descendants farmed the land, growing apple orchards and vineyards that helped make the township a major grape-producing district. In 1926 the last surviving family members deeded the property to the city as a park. A 1975 Isle of Man stamp honoring Manx pioneers shows the house. It now serves as a museum operated by the local historical society.
Significance in brief: The house is a local landmark commemorating Manx pioneers from the Isle of Man and the hard-working family that built it. It was depicted on a 1975 Isle of Man eight-pence stamp honoring Manx pioneers in the Cleveland area. The family's vineyards also contributed to Dover Township's standing as a leading grape-producing district.
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 76001408, listed January 11, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1371 Clague Rd., Westlake |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | January 11, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001408 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Leased by the Westlake Historical Society and operated as a house museum; parts of the basement and first floor are used by the Clague Playhouse for rehearsal and storage. Condition is marked good; a restoration program is projected. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.46675, -81.88193 (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 76001408.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137755673
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.