Reed, James, House
Why it's listed
This two-story wood-frame house on East College Street in Fredericktown, Ohio, dates to 1837, when James Reed acquired the property. He lived there, and it is assumed that he built the house. It follows an early Greek Revival design on a rectangular plan, with a gable roof, a sandstone foundation and a five-bay front. Its centerpiece is the entrance, a recessed doorway framed by two freestanding Doric columns that support an entablature, with a Greek Revival cornice crowning the building above. The doorway is regarded as the finest Greek Revival example in town, and that distinction is the main reason the house was listed. Over time, asbestos shingles have covered the original capboards, the window sash have been replaced, and the interior has been remodeled. The house sits on a small lot very close to the street, with lawns and shrubbery behind it. It remains in residential use, and both its interior and exterior are in good condition.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its remarkably ornate front entrance, described as the finest Greek Revival doorway in town. James Reed acquired the property in 1837 and lived there, and it is assumed he built the house.
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 79003873, listed November 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E. College St., Fredericktown |
|---|---|
| County | Knox County |
| Listed | November 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003873 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1837 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence; interior and exterior condition both listed as good. Asbestos shingles cover the original capboards, the window sash are replacements, and the interior has been remodeled. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.48263, -82.54142 (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 79003873.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138392731
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.