Drake, Alonzo, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1843, this two-story brick farmhouse on Broadway in Oakwood, Ohio, has an ell plan and mixes two architectural traditions. Greek Revival appears in the recessed entry with its Doric stone surround and in the molded cornice with partial gable returns. Late Federal influence shows in basket-handle fanlights set in stone surrounds with keystones in the front and rear gables. A brick wing was added soon after the main block. It was built for Alonzo Drake (1805-1890), a Vermont native who moved to Bedford Township in 1838 and developed a large dairy farm that stayed in the family until the Depression. The house is described as the most outstanding nineteenth century building in Oakwood and one of the few from that era still standing. Although the interior has been much altered and a commercial strip now faces it, the broad lawn and surroundings still retain the character of an early farmstead.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the most outstanding nineteenth century building in Oakwood, with an unusual combination of Greek Revival and late Federal details, notably the recessed Doric entry and the gable fanlights. Its brick construction and fine entry reflect the wealth of Alonzo Drake, one of the village's most prosperous early farmers. It is also one of few surviving nineteenth century buildings in Oakwood and sits in an area threatened by commercial 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 78002047, listed November 28, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 24262 Broadway, Oakwood |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | November 28, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002047 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with late Federal details |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence; the form notes extensive interior alterations and modern changes such as French doors, a terrace and a new chimney, while the exterior and setting retain much early farmstead character. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.36417, -81.50750 (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 78002047.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137727227
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.