Sprague-Deaver House
Why it's listed
Built around 1830 at the southwest corner of Sandusky and Pleasant Streets in Fredericktown, this two-story wood-frame house has a Greek Revival design with an unusual cross-shaped plan. The main section carries a massive entablature with partial returns. Below it, a recessed front porch supported by four square columns shelters an elaborate front doorway, flanked by two one-story lateral wings. Clapboard siding covers the walls, which rest on a sandstone foundation under a metal gable roof. Inside, restoration has preserved original walnut woodwork and some colored glass windows. The house was built on the site of a large Indian mound, the highest point in town, which was graded for construction; the rear section went up first. Peris Sprague, a State Senator, acquired the property in 1828, and George Deaver later owned it. The house is regarded as one of Fredericktown's finest and best preserved early homes, and it sits beside the old Methodist Church.
Significance in brief: The inventory describes it as one of Fredericktown's finest and best preserved early houses. It has an unusual cross-shaped plan and a massive entablature with partial returns. It was built on a graded Indian mound, the highest point in town, and was owned by State Senator Peris Sprague and later by George Deaver.
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 79003875, listed November 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Sandusky and Pleasant Sts., Fredericktown |
|---|---|
| County | Knox County |
| Listed | November 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003875 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Interior restored; interior and exterior condition listed as excellent; used as a residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.48081, -82.54244 (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 79003875.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138393048
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.