Huntington, Franz, House
Also known as: Charles Kent House
Why it's listed
Completed in 1926, this large stone-and-stucco house on a corner lot in Bexley, near Columbus, was designed by New York architect Alfred Hopkins in the Jacobethan Revival style. The irregular plan, steeply pitched slate gable roofs, projecting bays, stone-mullioned windows and complex chimneys are typical of the style. The recessed entrance sits beneath a pointed arch with a hoodmould carrying a Roman numeral date and shields marked with an H. Inside, the woodwork is the outstanding feature, with moulded plaster ceilings in several rooms and a dining room with a paneled dark-wood ceiling and decorated kingpost trusses. Some furnishings came from a Dubuque home demolished in 1965. The house was built for Franz Huntington, president of Huntington National Bank, an organizer of Midland Mutual Life Insurance Company, and a supporter of Children's Hospital and the Columbus Gallery of Fine Art. It was listed for its architecture and its association with him.
Significance in brief: The nomination holds it to be significant for architectural and historic reasons. It is an excellent example of Jacobethan Revival architecture in Franklin County, designed by Alfred Hopkins, a noted designer of penitentiaries and fine homes on Long Island. It was built for Franz Huntington, a prominent Columbus civic and business leader.
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 80002999, listed May 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 81 N. Drexel Ave., Bexley |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | May 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002999 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1926) |
| Architect / builder | Alfred Hopkins |
| Architectural style | Jacobethan Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Stated to be in excellent condition; occupied and used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.96245, -82.93734 (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 80002999.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137803762
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.