Wadsworth, Frederick, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1824 by Frederick Wadsworth, this two-story brick house near Edinburg in Portage County, Ohio, is a well-preserved example of late Adam style. It has a five-bay facade, a simple gable roof with double end chimneys, and a center entrance with sidelights beneath a large semi-circular overdoor light, a less common form than the semi-elliptical lights of the period. Inside, a central hall holds a single-flight staircase, and the east parlor has an Adam mantelpiece of fine detail. Seven fireplaces survive, five apparently with original mantels. Wadsworth served as a regimental staff clerk in the War of 1812, gave land for a cemetery in 1819, helped organize the Portage County Agricultural Society, and promoted the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal. He reportedly sold the house as railroads replaced canals. Later owners Theodore Clark and his son ran productive orchards on the hilltop land.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it probably the most important house in Edinburg Township, for both its builder's history and its quality as an example of late Adam style. Its semi-circular overdoor light, Adam mantelpieces and fine preservation make it architecturally exceptional locally. Wadsworth was a War of 1812 staff clerk and an early promoter of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal.
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 75001520, listed May 29, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4889 OH 14, Edinburg |
|---|---|
| County | Portage County |
| Listed | May 29, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001520 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (ca. 1824) |
| Architect / builder | Frederick Wadsworth (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late Adam |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence in excellent condition; interiors described as well preserved by the present owners. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.12247, -81.17970 (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 75001520.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138648789
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.