Reed, Henry, Jr., House
Why it's listed
Built around 1840, this modest frame cottage at the corner of White and William Streets in Maumee reflects the Greek Revival style in a simple, local form. Its original block has gained numerous additions over time, including a rear shed-like wing, a kitchen wing with a recessed porch, a garage, and a string of further additions running about 75 feet along an adjacent alley. Greek features include broad fascia boards, small rectangular windows set into those boards, a gentle roof pitch and original corner posts. The house was listed because it represents typical early Maumee architecture and because of its link to Henry Reed, Jr. Reed was an attorney, businessman and civic leader, and edited Maumee's first newspaper, "The Express," founded in 1837, which strongly influenced the town's growth. He was a leading figure in Maumee's mid-century development. After World War II, Joseph Hawthorne, former director of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, also lived here. The house remains a private residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good example of typical early Maumee architecture. It was also the home of Henry Reed, Jr., an attorney, businessman, civic leader and editor of Maumee's first newspaper, "The Express" (established 1837). The house is described as the most visible reminder of this prominent early citizen.
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 78002124, listed April 20, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 511--513 White St., Maumee |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | April 20, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002124 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as occupied, in good condition and well maintained over the years; private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.56588, -83.64960 (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 78002124.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138537724
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.