Seely, Dr. John W., House
Why it's listed
Dr. John W. Seely's house on Ohio Route 46 in Howland Township is a square, 1-1/2 story wood frame residence in the Greek Revival style, dated to about 1825. Its best feature is a simple recessed front door on the west facade, framed by sidelights, a fanlight and pilasters that match the corner pilasters. Small frieze windows light the cramped second floor, and the roof is hipped. Seely was a pioneer physician in the Niles-Warren area who served in the Ohio legislature in 1807-1808 and as a state senator in 1816-1817. He later promoted the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal. He is believed to have bought the nearby Howland Springs, known for iron-rich water, and to have built the house partly as a hospital for people taking the waters. The nomination treats the house as an example of a physician's residence and hospital of the second quarter of the 19th century. It has been well maintained, with few exterior changes.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an interesting example of a physician's residence and hospital of the second quarter of the 19th century. It was the home of Dr. John W. Seely, a locally notable physician, state legislator and canal promoter. It is also said to have served in part as a hospital for people using the nearby Howland Springs waters.
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 72001048, listed April 14, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2245 Niles-Cortland Rd., Howland Corners |
|---|---|
| County | Trumbull County |
| Listed | April 14, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001048 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (ca. 1825) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, altered, on its original site, and occupied as a private residence; the interior and rear addition have been extensively modernized. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 41.21258, -80.73976 (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 72001048.
- 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.