Brownwood
Also known as: Brownwood Farm
Why it's listed
Brownwood is a two-story Federal-style farm mansion on Ohio Route 45 at the south edge of the common in North Bloomfield, Ohio. Built in 1820 by an unidentified local master builder, it has a three-bay arcaded and pilastered front with a pediment, an Adam-style elliptical patera and a semi-elliptical fanlight. A small Greek Revival law office stands nearby, and both buildings use mortise-and-tenon frame construction. Inside, original mantels and fine woodwork survive, along with Classic Revival wallpapers bought in Boston. Ephraim Brown bought 600 acres in 1816, first lived in a log home there, and gave the village its 6-acre common. He worked as an attorney and farmer and served in both houses of the Ohio General Assembly. Tradition holds that the house sheltered fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. The Brown family has owned the property continuously, and it is regarded as one of northeastern Ohio's best-preserved Federal homes.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls Brownwood one of the oldest houses in Trumbull County and one of the finest, best-preserved Federal-period homes in northeastern Ohio. It has been owned by the Brown family since construction. Ephraim Brown, its builder-owner, was an attorney, farmer, state legislator and donor of the town common, and tradition links the house to the Underground Railroad.
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 71000655, listed September 3, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | OH 45, North Bloomfield |
|---|---|
| County | Trumbull County |
| Listed | September 3, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000655 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1820) |
| Architect / builder | Unidentified master builder of the area; built for Ephraim Brown |
| Architectural style | Federal (main house); Greek Revival (law office) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, largely unaltered and on its original site; occupied as a private residence and operating farm. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 41.46086, -80.85552 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 71000655.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138749485
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.