Ripley House
Also known as: Lane's Coach House
Why it's listed
Built around 1820 at 623 High Street in Worthington, Ohio, this two-story brick building served originally as a residence and coach house. Its gabled slate roof, white-painted brick walls, three-bay front and five-bay side reflect the Federal style. Twin quarter round windows sit in the gable, and slight cornice returns finish the roof edge. Some windows on the facade have been altered, and a two-story 19th century wing was added at the rear. The most notable feature inside is an Adam style mantel with small fluted columns and delicate elliptical sunburst medallions. The building was recognized primarily as a good example of Federal architecture, and for that mantel. Local tradition also holds that it was the birthplace of Roswell Ripley, who commanded Confederate forces at Charleston during the Civil War. The property faces High Street, surrounded by small commercial buildings, and occupies the southeastern quarter of Lot 124, less than one acre. Alexander Morrison, Jr. is named as builder.
Significance in brief: The inventory form describes it as significant mainly as an example of Federal style, with twin quarter round windows in the gable and an Adamesque fireplace mantel inside. It is also purportedly the birthplace of Roswell Ripley, Confederate commander of Charleston during the Civil War.
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 80003015, listed April 17, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 623 High St., Worthington |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | April 17, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003015 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Morrison, Jr. |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Interior and exterior are listed in good condition; some alteration to the original facade windows and a rear addition are noted. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Worthington Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.08602, -83.01837 (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 80003015.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138339276
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.