Pray-Starkweather House
Why it's listed
Built in 1837 on North River Road in Waterville, this two-story frame house was constructed by Oliver Pray, a nephew of Waterville founder John Pray who came to Ohio from Rhode Island around 1835. Pray operated it as an inn, and during the canal era it likely filled with travelers. Township trustees and others also met there for business and social gatherings. Pray sold the property to Richard Starkweather in 1854, and an inscription in the plaster of an upstairs closet records the sale price of $1,000. The gable-end house is three bays wide and is regarded as a fine example of local Greek Revival design. Its main feature is the recessed entrance with panelled molding, sidelights, a rectangular cornice with carved corner blocks, and a delicate elliptical sunburst where a transom might be expected. Later additions include a one-story south wing and a porch, and the house has been well maintained as a private residence.
Significance in brief: It is presented as a fine example of Greek Revival architecture with an unusual entryway featuring sidelights and a sunburst motif. It is also tied to Oliver Pray, nephew of Waterville's founder John Pray, who ran the house as an inn during the canal era, when it hosted township trustees and social gatherings.
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 75001477, listed May 29, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 144 N. River Rd., Waterville |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | May 29, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001477 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1837) |
| Architect / builder | Oliver Pray (original owner and builder of the hotel) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, altered, on its original site; used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.50154, -83.71658 (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 75001477.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138559155
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.