Johnson, E. J., House
Why it's listed
This two-story brick house stands on a prominent corner lot at Middle Avenue and 9th Street in Elyria, Ohio. Built in the 1880s, it is described as a massive, stripped version of the Queen Anne style, with heavy cornices, a mansard roof of composition material and a stone foundation. Inside, a fine staircase and heavy woodwork trim line spacious, high-ceilinged rooms. E. J. Johnson, a prominent Elyria attorney, built the house; he reportedly acquired considerable wealth serving as attorney for the steel plant in Lorain. The house is regarded as a major landmark on Middle Avenue and a familiar presence in its neighborhood, with shrubbery and trees on a well-kept front lawn. It has recently been altered to serve as office space, and its interior and exterior remain in good condition. Its architecture, corner setting and ties to a notable local figure support its listing as part of Elyria's historic resources.
Significance in brief: The inventory describes it as a major landmark on Middle Avenue with good historical associations. It was built by E. J. Johnson, a prominent Elyria attorney who reportedly gained considerable wealth as attorney for the steel plant in Lorain. It is also noted as a massive, stripped version of the Queen Anne style.
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 79002737, listed August 13, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Middle Ave. and 9th St., Elyria |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | August 13, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002737 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1880's |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently altered to provide office space; interior and exterior condition listed as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.35969, -82.10668 (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 79002737.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138507696
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.