Rawlings-Brownell House
Why it's listed
This two-story frame house at 318 Rawlings Street in Washington Court House, Ohio, began in 1851 as the home of Moses Vance Rawlings, a journalist, exchange broker and real estate developer who later subdivided the surrounding farmland. An east wing followed in 1853. Charles H. Brownell bought the house in 1867 and added dormers and two decorative porches in 1870. Brownell founded C. H. Brownell and Sons, a poultry and egg business described in county histories as the leading firm of its kind in central and southern Ohio, with branch offices in Columbus, Boston and Newark. His original warehouse has deteriorated, so the house best represents his success. Architecturally, the building combines Greek Revival features, such as a plain cornice with gable returns and corner pilasters, with Italianate-inspired porches that have carved brackets and spandrels. The house remains in excellent condition and keeps a high degree of integrity.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion B for its association with Charles H. Brownell, founder of the poultry and egg firm C. H. Brownell and Sons. It is also significant under Criterion C as a Greek Revival house updated with Folk Victorian porches and dormers of Italianate influence. It reflects changing local architectural taste in the late 19th century.
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 88000207, listed March 10, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 318 Rawlings St., Washington Court House |
|---|---|
| County | Fayette County |
| Listed | March 10, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000207 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1851; 1867-1902 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and still used as a single dwelling; a modern garage and rear bay window have been added. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.54149, -83.44129 (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 88000207.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716793
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.