McDannald Homestead
Why it's listed
Built around 1850, this brick farmhouse on Sunbury Road northeast of Columbus is among the largest and best-preserved rural residences in Franklin County. It rises two and a half stories on a stone foundation, with brick laid in five-course American bond, an intersecting gable roof and a one-story wing to the north. The five-bay facade centers on a recessed entrance with a segmental-arched six-panel door, curved transom and arched sidelights. Windows have brick segmental arches and stone sills, and the box cornice is bracketed. The bricks were fired on the site and local lumber was used inside. John Calvin McDannald built the house; his parents came to Blendon Township from Virginia in 1813. The designer is unknown, though Randal Arnold, a master craftsman who arrived in the township in 1825, may have been involved. The family helped shape the township, Central College and area churches, and the house stayed in family hands until recently. It sits among fields with several outbuildings behind it.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent, well-preserved example of mid-19th century rural architecture in Franklin County. It is one of the county's largest and best-preserved rural residences, with well-executed details. The McDannald family also took part in the growth of Blendon Township, Central College and local churches.
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 78002066, listed February 17, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Columbus at 5847 Sunbury Rd., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | February 17, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002066 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1850 |
| Architect / builder | Randal R. Arnold (possible designer); built by John Calvin McDannald |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and altered; the form marks the property as unoccupied. Owners are described as interested in its preservation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.07753, -82.89721 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 78002066.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q104822527
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.