Epley, Henry J., House
Why it's listed
This 1 1/2 story common-bond brick house at 55 Franklin Street in Canal Winchester was built around 1863 for Henry J. Epley, a local brickmason who probably built it himself. It has a three-bay facade, a steep slate-covered gable end facing the street, and a sandstone foundation. Early twentieth-century additions include side dormers, a front porch and a sunporch, all of which have gained significance in their own right. Inside, the four-room first-floor plan, oak woodwork, wood floors and hardware survive largely unaltered, and lock patent dates of 1869-70 and 1873 help confirm the construction date. The house is one of 27 of its type in town and one of only five built of brick. It was recognized for its architecture as a well-preserved example of the vernacular houses common during the Railroad Era. A frame one-car garage on the lot also contributes to the property.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C as a well-preserved example of the vernacular domestic house type of the Railroad Era (1869-1904) in town. It is one of 27 houses of this type within the incorporated limits, and only five of those are brick. Its exterior composition, entry, slate roof and interior room layout and woodwork remain intact.
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 89001020, listed August 15, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 55 Franklin St., Canal Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 15, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001020 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1872 |
| Architect / builder | unknown (Henry J. Epley, a brickmason, is likely the builder) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular: 1 1/2 story with 3 bay facade and gable end to street |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single-family dwelling, as it was historically; the garage on the site is a contributing outbuilding. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 39.84071, -82.80805 (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 89001020.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137806779
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.