Garfield, Milton, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1839 on Detroit Road in Sheffield, Lorain County, this two-story wood frame house was designed in the Greek Revival style and built by Ezra Jackson of nearby Avon. It was home to Milton Garfield, who arrived in Sheffield Township from Massachusetts in 1816 and ran a large, prosperous farm. The T-shaped house has a five-bay front, double-hung windows with original shutters, and a central entrance that blends Greek and Federal details beneath four freestanding Tuscan columns. Inside, a central hall with an open stairway leads to a main parlor with a large fireplace, a Dutch oven and recessed built-in cabinets. When finished, it was among the largest residences in the area. Garfield descendants occupied it until the 1930s, when it was restored with very few changes. It later served as a model for restoring other nearby historic houses. A late nineteenth-century barn remains on the property.
Significance in brief: When completed it was one of the largest, if not the largest, residences in the township and nearby parts of Lorain County, and it remains one of the best preserved local examples of Greek Revival architecture. Its elaborate main entrance, recessed built-in cabinets and original fireplaces are cited as outstanding features. It was also an early Greek Revival restoration that served as a model for restoring other area landmarks.
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 78002117, listed September 21, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4921 Detroit Rd., Sheffield |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | September 21, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002117 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1839 |
| Architect / builder | Ezra Jackson |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, occupied as a private residence; restored in the 1930s with few changes. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 41.42318, -82.08789 (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 78002117.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138515082
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.