Sharp, Stephen, House
Why it's listed
Built about 1858 by Stephen Sharp, this brick farmhouse and its group of frame outbuildings sit in rural Genoa Township, Delaware County, near the Franklin County line. The house rests on a raised brick and stone foundation, measures four by two bays, and has a gable roof, end chimneys and a bracketed cornice. Its slightly recessed entrance with transom and sidelights is the most distinctive feature of an otherwise simple facade. A one-story brick wing runs the length of the house, and a decorative porch has been removed. Six braced-frame outbuildings, most with board and batten siding, probably date from the late 19th century. Sharp, a New York native who moved to Ohio in 1807, was reportedly active in the Underground Railroad, served as a Justice of the Peace and led the local Methodist church. The property has stayed in the family. Reservoirs and subdivisions have transformed the surrounding area, which makes this intact farmstead unusual. At the time of listing it stood vacant and deteriorated.
Significance in brief: The complex is significant as an example of mid-19th century rural architecture in Delaware County and for its association with Stephen Sharp, an early and active resident of Genoa Township. Its solid brick construction and well-executed entrance stand out, and the braced frame outbuildings add to its rural character. It is also an intact 19th-century farmstead in a township heavily changed by suburban 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 82003564, listed September 30, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8025 Africa Rd, Westerville |
|---|---|
| County | Delaware County |
| Listed | September 30, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003564 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (house built by Stephen Sharp) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as vacant and in deteriorated condition; the owner, a Sharp descendant, planned to rehabilitate it as his residence. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.14342, -82.93872 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 82003564.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137765494
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.