Spitler, Samuel, House
Why it's listed
This three-story frame house in Brookville, Ohio, was built in 1894 for Samuel Spitler by Warren Rasor and is described as one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in the state. It has a steep tile hipped roof, wraparound porches with lattice-work and fan-shaped brackets, second-floor balconies, and a two-story octagonal tower with four long narrow windows. Spitler, a former miller who later worked in plumbing, helped bring the water works into operation in 1904, and the house had the town's first bathroom. His wife kept the Clio Club library collection, and during World War I the house served as a center for Red Cross work. Spitler sold it in 1920. Later used as apartments, it faced demolition for a parking lot until the Brookville Historical Society raised $26,000 to move it to the rear of the lot, facing Market Street, for restoration as a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the best examples of Queen Anne style in Ohio and probably the most significant house in Brookville. Its octagonal tower with four long narrow windows is described as especially typical of the style. It also had the first bathroom in Brookville and served community uses such as the Clio Club and World War I Red Cross work.
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 73001507, listed September 28, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 14 Market St., Brookville |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | September 28, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001507 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (1894) |
| Architect / builder | Warren Rasor (builder) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved to a lot behind its original location and now owned by the Brookville Historical Society for use as a museum; restoration work was in progress, with the entrance hall being returned to its original condition. Condition rated good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.83564, -84.41381 (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 73001507.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138589851
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.