Nelson, Luman, House
Also known as: Hugebeck Residence; Por-548-6
Why it's listed
Built in 1877 about four miles north of Ravenna in Shalersville Township, this 2-1/2 story wood frame house is a richly detailed example of Second Empire design. Its straight mansard roof keeps patterned slate shingles, carved brackets, molded cornices, and 14 dormers with decorative millwork. Three one-story porches carry ornate sawn trim, and the front entry has double doors with scrolled surrounds. Inside, a central hall is flanked by two rooms on each side of both floors. Original woodwork, pocket doors, built-in cupboards, plaster ceiling medallions, a marbleized slate fireplace, and some original wallpaper survive. Luman Nelson, an early settler born in 1842, bought the 155-acre farm from William and Nancy Fox in 1877. The house was listed because it displays nearly all the elements that define the style and is the only Second Empire example in the township. Aluminum siding and a partly enclosed side porch, both from about 1970, did not cover the distinctive millwork.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding example of Second Empire architecture, with a patterned slate mansard roof, ornate dormers, bracketed cornices, and carved millwork. No other Second Empire examples are found in Shalersville Township, and the house retains a high degree of exterior and interior integrity despite partial porch enclosure and aluminum siding.
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 93001393, listed December 22, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8219 OH 44, Ravenna |
|---|---|
| County | Portage County |
| Listed | December 22, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93001393 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1877 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling; aluminum siding and a partially enclosed side porch (both ca. 1970) are the only major alterations. A small stone outbuilding, possibly a smokehouse, survives without its roof. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 41.21487, -81.24246 (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 93001393.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138655368
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.