Webber, A. R., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1891 on the east side of Washington Avenue in Elyria, this two-story wood-frame house is an example of the Stick style. Its features include porches with dowelled posts, wide eaves and steep towers, set on a sandstone foundation under a complex slate roof. Some windows hold fine stained glass, and the interior has fine woodwork. The house sits on a large lot, set back from the road among shade trees, and is visible from Washington Avenue across the adjacent city parking lot. It was the home of Judge A. R. Webber (1852-1948), a prominent local political figure who served as a judge for many years. Webber was also a local historian, active in efforts to preserve historic buildings in Elyria, and he wrote the first comprehensive history of the city. The interior has been remodeled into doctors' offices, while the exterior remains in good condition. The house was recorded as part of a survey of Elyria's historic resources.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as a good example of the Stick style, with dowelled-post porches, wide eaves and steep towers. It was also the home of Judge A. R. Webber (1852-1948), a prominent local political figure, historian and preservation advocate who wrote the first comprehensive history of Elyria.
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 79002712, listed August 13, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 251 Washington Ave., Elyria |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | August 13, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002712 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Stick style |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently remodeled on the interior into doctors' offices; exterior condition described as good. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 41.36987, -82.10566 (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 79002712.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138497426
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.