Morris House
Also known as: Morris--Dresbach House
Why it's listed
Built in 1865 by Samuel Morris, this brick house at 149 West Union Street in Circleville is regarded as one of the community's best examples of Gothic Revival domestic architecture. The L-shaped house rests on a stone foundation and has intersecting gable roofs and gabled dormers covered in multi-patterned slate. First-floor windows and the entrance have segmental arches, while second-story windows are round-arched, all with double-row brick hoodmoulds. The delicate, lacy bargeboards on the gables and dormers are a standout feature and show the craftsmanship of the builders. Original shutters, plaster, wide plank hardwood floors and four mantels survive inside the seven-room interior. Morris helped organize the Third National Bank and later served as its president. The house stayed in his family until 1922. It sits on a landscaped lot close to downtown and was being carefully restored when nominated.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent example of Gothic Revival domestic architecture in Circleville, with its multiple gables, decorative bargeboards and multi-patterned slate roof. The intricate bargeboards show a high level of craftsmanship. It is also noted as among the best Gothic Revival examples in a community rich in 19th-century styles.
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 79001926, listed August 3, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 149 W. Union St, Circleville |
|---|---|
| County | Pickaway County |
| Listed | August 3, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001926 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1865 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built by Samuel Morris, per the statement of significance) |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and being carefully restored by a new owner; the form checks private residence as present use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.59842, -82.94556 (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 79001926.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716728
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.