Upham-Wright House
Also known as: Jones House
Why it's listed
Built between 1848 and 1852 by George Upham, a native of New Hampshire, this brick cottage at 342 Granville Street in Newark is an early example of Gothic Revival residential design in Ohio. The two-story, L-shaped house rests on a dressed ashlar foundation and has a slate hipped roof with an intersecting gable. Its symmetrical three-bay facade has a pointed arch entrance with transom and sidelights, pointed arch window tracery, stone hoodmoulds, and a porch with Gothic trim and finials. Heavily ornamented bargeboards and tall brick chimneys with clustered flues add to the style. Some original mantels, woodwork and flooring survive inside. A two-story braced-frame barn stands behind the house. The house was started before Andrew Jackson Downing published Architecture of Country Houses in 1850, yet it reflects his ideals and resembles a design by A.J. Davis illustrated in that book. Banker Virgil Wright bought it in 1868. It was listed for its architectural integrity and preservation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its architectural integrity, calling it one of the earliest, finest and best preserved Gothic Revival residences in Ohio. It embodies the ideals of Andrew Jackson Downing and resembles a house designed by A.J. Davis for William Rotch in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
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 79001882, listed June 22, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 342 Granville St., Newark |
|---|---|
| County | Licking County |
| Listed | June 22, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001882 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1849-1852) |
| Architect / builder | George Upham (builder) |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition, unaltered on its original site, and used as a private residence. The interior has been altered, and some barn windows were boarded to prevent vandalism. |
| Acreage | 3.8 |
| Coordinates | 40.06356, -82.41925 (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 79001882.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138461058
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.