Mathews House
Why it's listed
Built in 1829, this Greek Revival house in Painesville, Ohio, was designed and built by Jonathan Goldsmith for Dr. John Henry Mathews, the first physician to settle in Geauga County. A two-story central block is flanked by one-story wings, forming a cruciform plan. Roman Doric pilasters divide the facade, and an unusual entry doorway on the left side has reeded Ionic columns, a transom divided by carved corbels, and carved drapery swags. Horizontal tongue and groove siding on the front suggests stone, while the sides and back use clapboard. Inside, the detailing keeps a light Federal character, with fluted door framing, Ionic fireplaces and a carved stairway. Goldsmith, born in New Haven in 1793, is described as probably the most gifted architect to work in Lake County in the 19th century, and this house is regarded by many as his best local work. It was moved from North State Street between 1949 and 1952 to ensure its preservation.
Significance in brief: The house is considered by many to be the best example of Jonathan Goldsmith's work in Lake County, and it treats the Greek Revival style with unusual imagination and finesse. It was built for Dr. John Henry Mathews, the first physician to settle in Geauga 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 73001488, listed April 23, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 309 W. Washington St., Painesville |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | April 23, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001488 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (built 1829, relocated 1949-1952) |
| Architect / builder | Jonathan Goldsmith |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, with Federal style details |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent; altered and moved. Present use is private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.71927, -81.24963 (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 73001488.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138450920
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.