Jones, W. H., Mansion
Why it's listed
Built circa 1889 at 731 E. Broad Street in Columbus, this eclectic mansion was the home of W.H. Jones, owner of the Jones Dry Goods Store, who lived there until 1923. It is built of pressed red brick on a high ashlar stone foundation, with irregular massing, a high hipped slate roof, steep gables, and a circular tower at the northwest corner. A porch with paired columns and heavily carved double doors marks the northeast corner. Stone carvings of plant and animal motifs, scrolled ironwork, finials, corbelled chimneys, and some original leaded or stained glass decorate the building. Inside, the notable feature is a heavily carved S-curved staircase. A two-story carriage house stands behind. Broad Street was once a tree-lined avenue of the city's finest homes, but many were later demolished for offices, apartments, gas stations, and fast food restaurants. The Jones Mansion is considered one of the most opulent survivors of that period. The family kept it until recently, and it was used commercially before sale to a preservation-minded buyer.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of late Nineteenth Century residential architecture in Columbus. It is described as one of the most opulent homes remaining from the period when Broad Street was lined with the city's finest homes. Jones, owner of the Jones Dry Goods Store, built it in 1889 and lived there until 1923.
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 78002065, listed October 2, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 731 E. Broad St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | October 2, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002065 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1889) |
| Architectural style | Eclectic late Nineteenth Century domestic architecture (reviewer notes call it Queen Anne mode) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Form notes the property remained in the Jones family until recently, was used for commercial purposes, and was recently sold to an individual interested in its preservation. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Columbus Near East Side District |
| Coordinates | 39.96415, -82.98083 (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 78002065.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28153512
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.