Packard-Doubler House
Also known as: Elaine Doubler House
Why it's listed
Perched on the western rim of the Cuyahoga River Valley in Independence, Ohio, this small brick farmhouse dates to 1864, when farmer John Packard built it. It is a one-and-one-half-story rectangle with a six-bay facade, gable roof, low stone foundation and double-hung windows with dressed stone sills and lintels. Its most distinctive feature is a brick dentil cornice that follows the gable rake on both front and rear. Packard sold the farm in 1868 to France X. Doubler, whose family kept it for generations, adding a frame kitchen about 1890, a large barn in 1901 and bungalow-style porches in 1924. The house is considered important as one of the few brick farmhouses in the Cuyahoga Valley and for illustrating Independence when it was largely agricultural. Open fields still surround it, and it retains much of its original character inside and out.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its link to the history of Independence, a predominantly rural community until recent times. It is one of the few brick farmhouses in the Cuyahoga Valley, and its brick dentil cornice is especially unusual. The house also retains a great deal of historical and architectural integrity.
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 79000294, listed March 9, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7634 Riverview Rd., Independence |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | March 9, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000294 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1864 |
| Architect / builder | John Packard (builder, per the statement of significance) |
| Architectural style | Traditional brick farmhouse with Greek Revival overtones |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and occupied as a private residence; the surrounding farmland lies fallow. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Valley Railway Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.35497, -81.60330 (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 79000294.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q86734489
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.