Rochester Square Historic District
Also known as: Sta-521-22; Sta-528-22; Sta537-22; Sta-524-22; Sta-533-22; Sta-534-22; Sta535-22
Why it's listed
Rochester Square is a compact cluster of commercial and residential buildings in the western part of Navarre, Ohio, arranged around a triangular public ground. Nathan McGrew platted the town of Rochester in 1833 beside the Ohio & Erie Canal, and an addition with the central square followed several years later. The district holds ten contributing buildings, including the Rochester House inn, built about 1838 by John and Andrew Stahl for canal travelers, the 1840 brick Raffensberger House, and the Class and Ream Building of 1850. Italianate storefronts from the 1870s and 1880s, such as the Donnovan and Burkhalter buildings, show the area's later commercial growth. Five small non-contributing buildings, mostly yard sheds and a 1983 shop, do not detract from its character. The district was recognized for its role in the community's canal-era development and for its Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate architecture. Its period of significance closes in 1913, when a major flood effectively ended canal operation in Navarre.
Significance in brief: The district preserves the remaining commercial core of Rochester, a town laid out in 1833 beside the Ohio & Erie Canal, and reflects the village's canal-era development (Criterion A). Its Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate buildings also represent local architectural styles of the period (Criterion C). The period ends with the 1913 flood, which effectively ended canal operation in Navarre.
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 05001187, listed October 26, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 6 & 10 Lintner Ct. NW; 14, 207, 212, 222, 228 & 232 Center St. W., Navarre |
|---|---|
| County | Stark County |
| Listed | October 26, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001187 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1838-1913 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal; Mid-19th Century/Greek Revival; Late Victorian/Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current uses listed include multiple dwelling, department store, specialty store, restaurant, and vacant/not in use. Some buildings have been re-sided in aluminum or vinyl. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.72080, -81.52674 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 05001187.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.