Strong, John Stoughton, House
Why it's listed
This two-story brick house on the north side of the town commons in Strongsville, Ohio, was built around 1830 for John Stoughton Strong, the town's founder. It is a rectangular block, four bays wide and three deep, set on a local sandstone foundation. Originally Federal in style with stepped gable ends, it was altered probably in the 1870s, when the gables were removed and bracketed eaves were added. Later changes include one-over-one windows and a shed porch. Inside, the rooms have been partitioned into three apartments, though much original woodwork, casings and flooring survives. Strong came to Ohio from Vermont in 1816, bought thousands of acres in the Connecticut Western Reserve, and in 1822 deeded the land for the commons that remains the town center. He also built a tavern, a grist mill, a distillery and an ashery, none of which survive. His house is the only remaining structure tied to his life.
Significance in brief: The house was the home of John Stoughton Strong, for whom Strongsville was named and who deeded the land for the town commons. It is the only remaining building associated with Strong, and the form argues it has major significance for the community's residents.
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 80002985, listed November 24, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 18910 Westwood St., Strongsville |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | November 24, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002985 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date ca. 1830) |
| Architectural style | Federal, altered in the late 19th century |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in good condition; used as a private residence, with interior rooms partitioned into three apartments. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.31542, -81.83472 (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 80002985.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137755575
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.