Wilson, Valentine, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1820 about a mile north of Somerford in Madison County, Ohio, this two-story brick farmhouse follows the hall and parlor plan, with tall gable-end chimneys and blank end walls. The front facade uses Flemish bond and rubbed brick arches set flush with the wall, and a one-story brick kitchen wing was added soon after completion. Inside, the four original rooms retain walnut woodwork, chair rails, built-in cupboards and six-panel doors. It was the home of Valentine Wilson, born in 1785, who settled in the county in 1816 and by his death in 1855 owned nearly 10,000 acres and about 1,000 head of cattle and sheep. The house is valued as an example of Middle Atlantic folk architecture carried into central Ohio during early settlement. Despite a leaking roof and other wear, it keeps most of its original appearance, and it survives about 200 feet from Interstate 70.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a typical early farmhouse showing refined interior and exterior detail and a dignified, reserved character. It illustrates how Middle Atlantic (tidewater) folk housing was carried west into central Ohio during early settlement. It is also tied to Valentine Wilson, said to have been the wealthiest man in the county at his death.
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 73001505, listed May 22, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | About 1 mi. N of Somerford off I 70, Somerford |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | May 22, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001505 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (ca. 1820) |
| Architectural style | Hall and parlor design; Middle Atlantic (tidewater) folk house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant for about 5 years with some storage use; condition marked fair to deteriorated, with a leaking roof and falling plaster, though described as structurally sound. The county historical society is developing restoration plans. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 39.94308, -83.50584 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 73001505.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7911032
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.