Old Union School
Why it's listed
Built around 1860, this two-and-a-half-story wood-frame building in Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio, began as the town's union schoolhouse. It remained a school until 1890, when a larger brick structure took over, and it has been a residence ever since. The form is Greek Revival, while the window surrounds carry Italianate detailing. Clapboard siding covers the frame, which rests on a sandstone foundation, and the plan is T-shaped with a five-bay front. The main entrance sits off center beneath a small porch, with side and top lights around the door. A wing on the west side has a front porch decorated with scroll saw work. Inside, the rooms have been adapted for housing. The building occupies a heavily shaded lot at the crest of a small rise, with outbuildings and shrubbery around it, giving it a prominent setting. It was recognized as one of Chesterville's more imposing landmarks and as part of a good collection of Greek Revival structures.
Significance in brief: It served as Chesterville's union schoolhouse from about 1860 until a larger brick school replaced it in 1890. It has since been a residence. The nomination calls it one of Chesterville's more imposing landmarks and a good example of the town's Greek Revival structures.
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 79002743, listed August 21, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off of OH 314, Chesterville |
|---|---|
| County | Morrow County |
| Listed | August 21, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002743 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival-Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a residence; interior described as good and exterior as very good condition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.48093, -82.68225 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 79002743.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7085355
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.