Foor-Alspach House
Why it's listed
Built in 1906 at the corner of East Waterloo and Trine Streets in Canal Winchester, this 2 1/2-story house is a variation on the American Four-Square form. Its upper story projects forward over a deep, full-width porch with round arched bays, and the hipped slate roof carries gabled dormers with tripartite windows. Inside, the plan is largely intact, with pocket doors, wood floors, and a staircase, mantel, trim and baseboards made of locally sourced American Chestnut. The house was listed for its architecture. It is one of 31 Four-Square houses in the town's limits, most of which were plainer originally and have since been heavily altered. Its porch and interior detail reflect the success of Chester Foor and his partner Daniel Alspach, who co-owned a local restaurant and bakery. After a period as a multiple-family residence, current owners have been rehabilitating it since 1984.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C as a distinctive variation of the American Four-Square type, with a recessed arcaded porch and an intact plan. Its elaborate interior detailing in local American Chestnut reflects the success of a local restaurant owner during Canal Winchester's early 20th-century growth. It is one of 31 Four-Square houses in town and stands out among them for its preserved exterior and interior.
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 89001035, listed August 15, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 92 E. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 15, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001035 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1906 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Other: American Four-Square variation |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single dwelling; previously converted to multiple-family use, and since 1984 the owners have been rehabilitating it, removing later alterations and retaining original elements. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.84174, -82.80264 (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 89001035.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137810192
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.