Zellers-Langel House
Why it's listed
Built in 1918 at 163 West Waterloo Street, this 1 1/2-story frame house is a variation of the California type Bungalow. It has a hip roof rather than the usual gable, a projecting gabled front porch, horizontal wood siding cut from oak taken from a nearby grove, and Craftsman-style trim and brackets. A rock-faced concrete block foundation supports the house, and a matching two-car garage stands beside it. Jacob I. Zellers, a commercial builder, bought the land in 1918 and built two houses of the same design on the same block. The house was sold in 1921 and was rented for much of the early twentieth century. It is one of 22 bungalow-type houses in Canal Winchester and one of two with this plan. Because the other has been heavily altered, this one is valued for its minimal alteration, original exterior details, wood floors, oak trim, mantel with mirror, and intact plan.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C as a representative example of the California type Bungalow in Canal Winchester, part of the Interurban-Auto Era (1905-1938) context. It is one of 22 bungalow or bungaloid houses in the village limits and has had minimal alteration. Its Craftsman influence, original oak siding, trim, porch, intact plan and matching garage add to its value.
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 89001029, listed August 15, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 163 W. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 15, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001029 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1918 |
| Architect / builder | Jacob I. Zellers, commercial builder (form lists architect/builder as unknown) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow (variation of the California type, with Craftsman influence) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the attic was remodeled and a rear porch added around 1980. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.84549, -82.81051 (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 89001029.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137809716
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.