Danalds, Samuel, House
Why it's listed
Set on five wooded acres on Ruple Road in Brookpark, this brick farmhouse was built in 1853, according to tax records, when it was the only brick house on the road. The main block measures 24 by 30 feet and has a one-story ell, sandstone lintels and sills, a stone foundation and six-over-six windows. A lintel over the door carries the date 1855 and the initials S. D. Two brick dormers on the front were added in 1930. Inside, the original plank floors and a walnut or fruitwood banister survive. A well and a two-story hewn-timber granary stand nearby. Samuel Danalds, a blacksmith from Vermont, built a log house here before the brick one. His son William ran the area's first steam-driven sawmill and threshing rigs, and grandson Herman later worked on railroad signals. Surrounded by an airport, highways and subdivisions, the property is the last 19th-century dwelling on the road that keeps its original rural setting.
Significance in brief: The house was home to Samuel Danalds, his son William and grandson Herman, who took part in the early development of Olmsted Township. It is a good example of traditional 19th-century brick building without high-style features, with unusual brick dormers. Its five-acre setting is the only remaining link to the area's rural heritage amid airport and highway development.
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 09000095, listed August 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 6511 Ruple Rd., Brookpark |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | August 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 09000095 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Traditional 19th-century brick building with no "high style" characteristics |
| Areas of significance | Social History, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, private residence, in excellent condition; the facade dormers were added in 1930 and a frame vestibule was slated for removal. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 41.39337, -81.87711 (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 09000095.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.