Davis, Samuel, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1816 on a 380-acre tract in Norwich Township, this simple stone rectangle of Federal design is known as the oldest stone house in Franklin County, Ohio. Samuel Davis used stones gathered on the site, laid with little dressing except at the quoins, and the walls are eighteen inches thick. A one-story stone kitchen wing extends from the rear, and a 1937 addition, first a double garage, became a family room in 1958. Inside, a center foyer divides a parlor and dining room, and the original walnut and cherry woodwork includes carved mantels and a dining room cupboard with fluted walnut pilasters. Davis, born in Connecticut in 1763, served in the Continental Army, worked as a silversmith, scouted in Kentucky, and helped survey Chillicothe before settling here. The nomination notes that he opened the house to settlers seeking refuge during conflicts with Native Americans, and it ties the building to the early history of Ohio.
Significance in brief: It is described as the oldest stone house in Franklin County. It was the home of Samuel Davis (1763-1849), a pioneer and frontiersman of the old Northwest Territory who knew Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. The form also cites its interior woodwork and its role as a refuge for settlers during conflicts with Native Americans.
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 74001488, listed February 15, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4264 Dublin Rd., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | February 15, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001488 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1816 |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Davis (builder) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; condition listed as altered, on its original site. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 40.04559, -83.10345 (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 74001488.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7411246
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.