Bruns-Wynkoop House
Why it's listed
Built around 1912 at 129 Washington Street in Canal Winchester, this two-story house follows the American Four-Square type, with a boxy form, hipped slate roof, dormers and four rooms per floor. It departs from the standard plan through projecting gabled bays and a large precast concrete porch that wraps around to the north side. Exterior Classical Revival details include a single-light entry door with sidelights and a transom, and diamond-patterned tracery in the windows. Inside, quarter-sawn oak trim, a carved newel post, an angled fireplace with a tiled surround and leaded stained glass survive. Wilson Bruns had the house built, with Clarence Hoffman as builder. John Seldon Wynkoop, a local physician, bought it the next year, and his family still owns it. Of 31 Four-Square houses within the village limits, this one stands out for its intact plan and detailing, and it illustrates how successful local residents embellished common house types.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion C as an example of early 20th-century domestic architecture during the Interurban-Auto Era. Its projecting gabled bays, Classical Revival exterior detailing and quarter-sawn oak interior set it apart from the other Four-Square houses in town, most of which were plainer and have since been altered. It also reflects the success of a local physician during the town's early 20th-century growth.
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 89001023, listed August 15, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 129 Washington St., Canal Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 15, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001023 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1912 |
| Architect / builder | Clarence Hoffman, contractor |
| Architectural style | Other: American Four-Square Variation |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the form says it remains in the Wynkoop family. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.84034, -82.80868 (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 89001023.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q136346012
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.