Barker, Col. Joseph, House
Also known as: See Also:Marietta Historic District
Why it's listed
Built in 1811 on Masonic Park Road north of Marietta, this two-story painted brick house was the home of Colonel Joseph Barker, one of Ohio's earliest master builders. It rests on a cut sandstone foundation, with about a third of the area given to a walled root cellar. The east facade has three bays, a central doorway with an elliptical fanlight and sidelights, and second-floor windows set in blind arches, a treatment Barker often used. Between 1860 and 1870 a rear addition turned the plan into a T and the roof was covered in slate. Inside, a central hall holds a rounded stair with turned balusters. Barker came to Marietta from New Hampshire in 1789, built houses there, planned the 1822 courthouse, and worked for Harman Blennerhassett. The house stands on land he received as a grant for Indian War service. It is significant as his own home and the earliest example of his work in the area.
Significance in brief: Barker is described as one of Ohio's earliest master builders, who came to Marietta in 1789 and helped build many of its distinguished houses. This house is the one he built for himself and the earliest example of his work in the area. It is presented as an outstanding example of early Ohio architecture in excellent condition.
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 78002210, listed June 23, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Marietta on Masonic Park Rd., Marietta |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | June 23, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002210 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1811 |
| Architect / builder | Col. Joseph Barker (1765-1843) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, a private residence, in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Within district | Muskingum River Navigation Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.48656, -81.48834 (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 78002210.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5148146
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.