McCracken-Sells House
Also known as: Puckett Residence
Why it's listed
Built around 1845, this brick farmhouse on Dublin Road in Norwich Township, Franklin County, follows the Pre-Classical I-house form common across Ohio and the Midwest. It is two stories tall, one room deep, and two rooms wide, with a gable roof running parallel to the road, evenly spaced six-over-six windows, and chimneys at the gable ends. A 1½-story wing on the south side, with its own entrance, varies from the usual plan and may have served as an office. Inside are hardwood floors, built-in cupboards beside the fireplaces, varied original woodwork, and an unusual archway dividing the parlor. A summer kitchen retains its brick fireplace and iron crane. Henry McCracken, Abraham Sells, and Adam Sells, all farmers, owned the property in turn from 1817 to 1908. The township has been heavily developed, and this is its only well-preserved I-house, which is why it was listed. The land also once held a Wyandot encampment.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be the only remaining well-preserved example of the Pre-Classical I-house in Norwich Township. The other surviving example has been heavily altered. Its south wing is a notable variation on the vernacular type. Its early owners were prominent local farmers and officeholders, and the site was once a Wyandot encampment.
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 84000440, listed November 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3983 Dublin Rd., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000440 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1845 |
| Architectural style | Pre-Classical I-House (vernacular midwest rural house type) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked occupied and in use as a private residence; described as in good condition, with some alterations and an original site. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.03560, -83.10314 (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 84000440.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138317186
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.