Merriman, Wells E., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1860 on West Market Street in Akron, this sandstone house was erected for Wells E. Merriman on seven acres his father, Charles Merriman, had bought for him. It follows the "upright and wing" form: a gable-ended main block of one and a half stories with a one-story wing and porch to the right. The form came west from New England and is common across the Western Reserve, but this is one of only two such stone houses in Akron. A kitchen addition was built in 1881, and the wing received a second story around 1900. A former stable and carriage house stands behind it. Wells Merriman made the models for the rubber machinery B.F. Goodrich used in starting Akron's rubber industry in 1870. His son Jesse became a banker and city councilman. Today it is the oldest residence on Market Street, a surviving landmark among buildings replaced by offices and apartments.
Significance in brief: The house is one of very few surviving "upright and wing" houses in Akron and one of only two built of stone. It is also the oldest residence on West Market Street and a recognized local landmark. The Merriman family were pioneers who played prominent roles in the city's agricultural, commercial, financial and civic development.
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 83002061, listed September 29, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 641 W. Market St., Akron |
|---|---|
| County | Summit County |
| Listed | September 29, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002061 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1860 |
| Architectural style | Upright and wing vernacular house type with Greek Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and private, with restoration work in progress; the owners plan to reinstall the slate roof, remove the glass porch enclosure and restore the stable door. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.09424, -81.53756 (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 83002061.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138690662
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.