Trimble, James S., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1853, this large square brick house at 187 Iberia Street in Mount Gilead is an early Italianate residence topped by a central cupola. Large brackets and heavy hood moldings mark its windows and doors, and it rests on a cut sandstone foundation. Inside, a cantilevered walnut stairway rises from a central hall to the cupola. The front porch columns were replaced in the early twentieth century, and the rear wings may be later additions, but the house keeps its basic original form. A hewn-log barn, a privy and other outbuildings remain on the grounds. James S. Trimble, a dry goods merchant, grain dealer and banker from a pioneer family, had the house built. He failed in business in 1878 and had to sell. The Cook family later owned it, and it served as a major social center in the community. It is described as the largest and most ornate residence in the village and a rare pre-Civil War Italianate example.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the largest and most ornate residence in Mount Gilead and a rare, fine example of pre-Civil War Italianate architecture. Its spacious landscaped lot adds to its prominence. It is also tied to Trimble, a prominent local businessman, and later to the Cook family, who made it a major social center.
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 82001481, listed November 30, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 187 Iberia St., Mount Gilead |
|---|---|
| County | Morrow County |
| Listed | November 30, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001481 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1853) |
| Architect / builder | Miller and Smith |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unoccupied and in fair condition; the interior has had no substantial alterations, though the basement is somewhat deteriorated. Outbuildings include a hewn-log barn and a privy. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 40.55214, -82.83378 (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 82001481.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6142711
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.