Kinney, Eli, House
Also known as: Elks City Club
Why it's listed
Built in 1849 at the corner of Court and Fourth Streets in Portsmouth, Ohio, this two-story brick house was the home of Eli Kinney, a banker and son of an early Portsmouth settler. Its three-bay front, central entrance, paired Ionic columns on the portico, wide corner pilasters and boxed cornice with modillions are hallmarks of the Greek Revival style. The form describes a monumental quality more often found in churches and public buildings, and notes a close resemblance to First Presbyterian Church, built a year later by William Newman; the builder of the house is not known. Kinney founded a banking house in 1838, helped establish the Portsmouth Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, served on the city council, and later became president of the Portsmouth Bank. Additions for the Elks City Club, which uses the building, sit at the rear and leave the Court Street facade intact. The first-floor center hall, staircase, parlors and mantels survive.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding example of mid-19th century Greek Revival architecture in Portsmouth, with a monumental character usually seen in churches and public buildings. It is also significant for its link to Eli Kinney, a pioneer-family banker and community leader. Its exterior and first-floor interior remain largely intact.
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 87002079, listed March 10, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 317 Court St., Portsmouth |
|---|---|
| County | Scioto County |
| Listed | March 10, 1988 |
| Reference number | 87002079 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; the form speculates it may be the work of local builder William Newman, who built First Presbyterian Church. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied by the Elks City Club (B.P.O. Elks) as a clubhouse; rear additions made for club use; 1987 inventory notes the house is in need of repair. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.73306, -83.00088 (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 87002079.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138672325
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.