Rider, Adam, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1831 by Adam Rider and his son Mathias, this 2½-story sandstone house near Roseville in Muskingum County, Ohio, replaced the family's earlier hewn log dwelling. Its random ashlar walls, keystoned stone lintels and an I-house plan with a central hall and open string stair mark it as a vernacular building with Federal and neo-classical touches. It is the only stone structure in Clay Township and one of few in the county, where log and frame houses were the norm. The house also has a place in local government history: when Clay Township was carved from Brush Creek Township in 1841, the first elections were held at Adam Rider's home. The Rider family farmed the land, mined coal and took part in the local pottery trade, and kept the property until 1967. A 1933 wood frame addition and porch were added, but the interior retains original plaster, doors and a large kitchen fireplace with a classical mantel.
Significance in brief: The house is nominated as an architectural landmark of southern Muskingum County's settlement history. It is the only stone structure in Clay Township and one of few in the county, at a time when most houses were log or frame. It is also tied to the founding of Clay Township, since the first township election was held at the home of Adam Rider, Sr. in 1841.
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 79001911, listed November 29, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Rt 2, 9350 Athens Rd., Roseville |
|---|---|
| County | Muskingum County |
| Listed | November 29, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001911 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Adam & Mathias Rider, builders |
| Architectural style | Vernacular, with neo-classical mantel and Federal-style keystoned lintels |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as in very good repair with integrity not compromised by unsympathetic alterations. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 39.79500, -82.07441 (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 79001911.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138640436
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.