McFarland, James, House
Why it's listed
Located about a mile south of Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio, this five-bay brick I-house was built in the 1820s in the Greek Revival style. Its walls are handmade brick laid in American common bond on a cut sandstone foundation, with pedimented gable ends highlighted by corbelled brick. A wooden portico with fluted columns was added in the late 1960s. Inside, a central hall holds a curving stairway with a cherry banister, a plaster ceiling medallion, and woodwork of cherry and black walnut, with chestnut floors throughout. James McFarland bought the farm in 1823 and later served as county commissioner and as a state representative. Solomon Gellor, a local contractor who owned the land earlier, may have built the house. The nominated tract of 11.172 acres includes woodland, pasture, and a spring named in McFarland's 1856 will. It was listed for its architecture as a well-preserved local example of a Greek Revival farmhouse.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a prime example of a classic five-bay brick farmhouse near Mount Vernon, listed under Criterion C for architecture. It retains many original features, including brick pediments, sandstone sills, cherry and walnut woodwork and chestnut floors. It is also a good local example of Greek Revival style as practiced in Knox County between about 1829 and 1855.
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 90000384, listed March 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7864 Newark Rd., Mount Vernon |
|---|---|
| County | Knox County |
| Listed | March 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000384 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1823 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; Solomon Gellor, a contractor and earlier landowner, is described as very possibly the actual builder |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (five-bay I-house) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single-family dwelling; described as structurally sound and retaining many original features. |
| Acreage | 11.2 |
| Coordinates | 40.34915, -82.47049 (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 90000384.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138401286
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.