Kimball, Addison, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1825 at 390 West Main Street in Madison, Ohio, this woodframe house was the work of Addison Kimball, the first housebuilder in Madison Township. The original block is rectangular, clapboard-sided, and rests on a fieldstone foundation. It looks like a story and a half from outside but has two full stories within. The symmetrical south facade has a central doorway with a transom, framed by Doric pilasters and a simple entablature. A large addition at the rear is set into a sloping ridge, leaving a basement exposed on the north side. The interior has been altered, including a changed stairway and moved partitions. Kimball, whose father came from New Hampshire in 1812, is linked to many Western Reserve buildings in Lake County, such as the first frame schoolhouse in Madison and railroad stations. This is the only house definitely attributed to him, and the Kimball family owned it until fairly recently.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as a fine example of its period and as the only house that can be definitely attributed to Addison Kimball as builder. Kimball was the first housebuilder in Madison Township and is linked to many Western Reserve buildings in Lake County.
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 75001449, listed March 27, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 390 W. Main St., Madison |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | March 27, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001449 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1825) |
| Architect / builder | Addison Kimball |
| Architectural style | Federal vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, altered, on its original site; the form notes preservation work in progress and a later survey records its use as a museum open by appointment. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.77079, -81.05625 (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 75001449.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4681263
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.