Buttles-Johnson House
Also known as: Johnson,Orange,House
Why it's listed
Brick walls, walnut window frames and a cedar shake roof characterize this Federal-style house on High Street in Worthington, Ohio. The first part, a two-story brick building about 20 by 30 feet, was built around 1816. Orange Johnson, a Connecticut native who arrived in 1814, later added a larger west wing with a five-bay front, a central doorway with fanlight and sidelights, and ash plank floors. Johnson made combs here until 1827, then became a prominent businessman. He served as Commissioner of the Sandusky Turnpike, and the house functioned as a toll gate house on the road linking Columbus and Delaware. He helped found the Columbus and Xenia Railroad in 1845 and later worked in banking, selling the house in 1865. The house was listed as one of the finest early 19th century buildings in Franklin County, and restoration was under way in 1972. Later documentation changed its name to Buttles-Johnson House and revised its construction dates.
Significance in brief: The house is described as one of the finest early 19th century buildings remaining in Franklin County and shows the simplicity of Federal architecture. It is also tied to Orange Johnson, a comb manufacturer who became a banker and railroad promoter, and whose home served as a toll gate house on the Sandusky Turnpike.
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 73001443, listed April 3, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 956 High St., Worthington |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | April 3, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001443 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1816) |
| Architect / builder | Orange Johnson (built the addition; the original house is associated with him) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and undergoing restoration in 1972, with completion expected by late 1972; owned by the Worthington Historical Society and used as a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Within district | Worthington Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.09370, -83.01719 (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 73001443.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138337707
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.