Brookdale Farm
Also known as: Sean and Kerri Doyle Residence
Why it's listed
Brookdale Farm is a group of five buildings along Cleveland-Massillon Road in Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio. The braced-frame farmhouse dates from the mid-1840s and was built for Eleazer King, who came from Massachusetts to the Western Reserve in the early 1830s. Its Colonial Revival entrance was likely added in the early 20th century. Akron businessman Irvin Manton bought the farm in 1920 and ran a commercial dairy under the Brookdale name, using a hired manager. He expanded the large barn with a dairy wing in the 1920s and kept a milk house and ice house nearby. The Watson family farmed 36 acres from 1942 to 1971, adding a family room wing and a corn crib. After the land was subdivided, a 2-acre tract with the house, barn and outbuildings was kept. The complex is recognized for its link to the township's agricultural past, and the barn remains a roadside landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farm represents the long and prosperous agricultural history of Bath Township, from the Western Reserve settlement period through the mid-20th century. It shows how an early farm changed over time, including its 1920s conversion to a commercial dairy under Irvin Manton. The large barn is described as one of the largest historic barns left in the township and a visual landmark.
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 10000975, listed December 7, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1148 N Cleveland-Massillon Rd, Akron |
|---|---|
| County | Summit County |
| Listed | December 7, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000975 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1840s-1959 |
| Architectural style | Other - vernacular; Colonial Revival (entrance); mid-nineteenth century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single-dwelling residence, with the barn used for storage; the property is now about 2 acres, with the rest of the original farm subdivided. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 41.16703, -81.63726 (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 10000975.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138687832
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.