Hobart, E. A., House
Also known as: Hobart Welded Steel House
Why it's listed
Built in 1940 at 172 S. Ridge Avenue in Troy, Ohio, this two-story house was designed by Edward A. Hobart, longtime president of Hobart Brothers Company. Its walls are 18 gauge welded steel, prefabricated at the Hobart factory on West Main Street. The design mixes Prairie style with Moderne, Art Deco and International features. A semi-enclosed entrance porch has a door flanked by glass brick and topped by a fanlight, and steel fences enclose patios on either side. Inside, a circular steel core holds a stairway and fireplaces, and built-in steel cabinets and storage fill the house. A rear wing encloses an indoor swimming pool under a steel and fiberglass roof Hobart designed. It is one of 21 surviving Hobart steel houses and the only custom-designed one not in a Colonial style. Although under fifty years old when listed, it was recognized as part of the Hobarts' steel housing venture that began in the early 1930s. A steel maintenance garage stands to the northeast.
Significance in brief: The house is one of 21 remaining Hobart welded steel houses and the only remaining custom-designed one not in a Colonial style. It combines Prairie, Moderne, Art Deco and International influences in an eclectic design. It is also significant as a continuation of the Hobarts' early 1930s venture into steel housing, which justifies listing despite its age.
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 89000420, listed May 25, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 172 S. Ridge, Troy |
|---|---|
| County | Miami County |
| Listed | May 25, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000420 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | E.A. Hobart (architect); Hobart Welded Steel House Co (builder) |
| Architectural style | Eclectic: Prairie style with Moderne, Art Deco and International features |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as fair for interior and exterior; present use is the same as the original, a single-family dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.04325, -84.21992 (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 89000420.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q128835976
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.