Speaker, Charles, House
Also known as: Schneider, John W., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1870 by Charles Speaker, this wood-frame house at 912 Holgate Avenue in Defiance, Ohio, is a Second Empire residence set on a bluff about 250 feet from the Maumee River. Weatherboard siding, an arched mansard roof with dormers on every side, decorative gable treatments and bracketed eaves define the exterior. Inside, an oak staircase with an octagonal newel post, a pressed tin ceiling, a hand-etched marble mantle, crown moldings and a full basement with coal room and fruit cellar survive. Alterations include an enclosed rear entry in the 1940s, a modified front porch and the loss of a barn, torn down around 1975. The house is recognized for its architecture. It is one of only five Defiance homes in the style and the most intact, and it reflects the city's growth from a canal-era trading town into a manufacturing center after 1860.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an early and locally significant example of Second Empire architecture, reflecting Defiance's growing prosperity in the early 1870s. It is one of only five Defiance homes in that style and the most intact. Its mansard roof, bracketed cornice, original openings and interior features are cited.
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 97000374, listed April 25, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 912 Holgate Ave., Defiance |
|---|---|
| County | Defiance County |
| Listed | April 25, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000374 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1870 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built in 1870 by Charles Speaker, per narrative) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the interior and original basement plan are described as well preserved, though the rear porch was enclosed in the 1940s and the barn was demolished around 1975. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 41.28267, -84.37431 (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 97000374.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137755869
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.