Seeley, Uri, House
Why it's listed
This two-story frame house on South Ridge Road in Painesville, Ohio, was built around 1830 for Uri and Abbie Turney Seeley, who had come to the Painesville area about 1815. Its five-bay facade is emphasized by full-height Doric pilasters and a triangular pediment formed by the continued cornice. The standout feature is the central doorway on the street front rather than the gable end, with slender colonnettes, mitred panels, undulating moldings and a fanlight transom. Inside, a double parlor plan keeps its original woodwork, including corner blocks with concentric circles and a fireplace decorated with elliptical sunbursts. The house is recognized for its architecture. Its form reflects the style of Jonathan Goldsmith, the county's most notable architect, yet certain details suggest the work of craftsmen close to him, perhaps his son Gillet. Ship construction in the attic and sheathed corner posts support the early date. It remains a private residence in very good condition.
Significance in brief: The house is nominated for its architecture. It reflects the building style of Lake County's most notable architect, Jonathan Goldsmith, though details suggest it was built by workmen close to Goldsmith, possibly his son Gillet, rather than by Goldsmith himself. Its early date is supported by ship construction in the attic and sheathed corner posts.
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 73001489, listed August 14, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 969 Riverside Dr., Painesville |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | August 14, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001489 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (built c. 1830) |
| Architectural style | Goldsmith-influenced Greek Revival-era frame house with Doric pilasters and a pedimented gable |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in extremely fine condition, privately occupied, with some alterations including a rear bath addition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.71512, -81.20803 (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 73001489.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138451437
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.