Rickenbacker, Capt. Edward V., House
Also known as: Captain Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker Boyhood Home
Why it's listed
Eddie Rickenbacker's boyhood home at 1334 East Livingston Avenue in Columbus began around 1893-95, when his father William built the first part of a modest 1½-story, L-shaped house with a gable roof. Rickenbacker later recalled two downstairs rooms and two attic rooms; around 1900 he helped add a room and a half and dig a cellar. The frame south section and brick ell have since been covered with green shingle siding, added about 1960, while the imbricated roof shingles, wooden quoins and one-over-one windows appear largely original. A small shed to the north may have been the site of his first mechanical experiments. The house matters because of the man who grew up in it. Rickenbacker became a leading race car driver, America's "Ace of Aces" with 26 victories in World War I, and later owner of Eastern Air Lines. He paid off the mortgage and lived here officially until his 1922 marriage. The family kept the house until about 1960.
Significance in brief: It is the boyhood home of Captain Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker, World War I "American Ace of Aces," race car driver and later head of Eastern Air Lines. Of several surviving structures linked to him, the nomination argues this one represents him best. He grew up here, developed his interest in automobiles and airplanes, and lived here officially until 1922.
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 76001426, listed May 11, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1334 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | May 11, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001426 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1893-95-ca. 1925 |
| Architect / builder | William Rickenbacher |
| Areas of significance | Military, Transportation, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 11, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | At the time of nomination (1975) the house was rented to an employee of the owner, who intended to sell it; the nomination noted it might be in danger of demolition. The neighborhood was described as deteriorating, and the shed was in poor condition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.94960, -82.96226 (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 76001426.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036628
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.