Brown, Charles, Gothic Cottage
Why it's listed
This wooden house on State Route 45 South in North Bloomfield, Ohio, is an Early Gothic Revival residence built by Charles Brown, probably in 1846. Brown was the son of Ephraim Brown, who built "Brownwood" across the road, and the son-in-law of Leicester King, on whose land the house stands. The facade follows the symmetry of an A. J. Downing design, with a traceried balcony, a central gable with prominent bargeboards, and flanking bay windows. Crenellated and turreted ornament, a steep roof and dormers give it a picturesque outline. The solid walls are made of stacked layered planks and are covered in vertical tongue-and-groove siding. Inside, the woodwork blends Greek Revival and Early Gothic forms. King, a canal president, state senator and abolitionist, died here in 1856. Local tradition holds that the house served as an underground railroad station, though this is described as reputed. The house is considered a well-preserved example of its style.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a notable, well-preserved example of Early Gothic Revival architecture with an unusual solid plank wall construction. It is also tied to Leicester King, a canal president, state senator and abolitionist, and is reputed to have served as an underground railroad station.
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 75001545, listed May 28, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | OH 45 S., North Bloomfield |
|---|---|
| County | Trumbull County |
| Listed | May 28, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001545 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century; specific date 1846(?) |
| Architect / builder | Charles Brown (builder) |
| Architectural style | Early Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, altered, on its original site, and occupied as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.46006, -80.86930 (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 75001545.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138749501
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.