Evans-Holton-Owens House
Why it's listed
Set on a wooded corner lot in Newark, Ohio, this frame house combines Gothic Revival and Italianate design. Its pronounced front and side gables each hold two clustered pointed-arched windows with shutters, while a two-story tower with paired brackets, a hipped roof and decorative wooden lintels adds an Italianate accent. The house probably dates to the late 1840s and gained its present form through a major addition, likely in 1866, that included the tower. A circular stairway imported from Europe was installed in the tower in 1890, and a garage was attached to the rear in 1920. The property is also linked to prominent local figures. Lewis Evans, apparently the first owner, was a carpenter, bridge builder, county treasurer and state senator. Later owners included merchant James Birkey, county treasurer Isaac C. Ball, and James W. Owens, who served as county prosecutor, state senator and U.S. Congressman. The combination of distinctive architecture and civic leadership led to its listing.
Significance in brief: The house embodies transitional Gothic Revival and Italianate architecture and is described as outstanding in its neighborhood and unique in the Newark area. It is also tied to several leading citizens and political figures of Newark, including a county treasurer and state senator, and a later U.S. Congressman.
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 86002874, listed October 16, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 162 W. Locust St., Newark |
|---|---|
| County | Licking County |
| Listed | October 16, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002874 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Transitional Gothic Revival and Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition; the back porch was enclosed and converted into a kitchen in a recent renovation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.05845, -82.41035 (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 86002874.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.