Overholt House
Why it's listed
Built in 1882 for local businessman Karl D. Overholt, this three-story wood frame house is a Stick Style residence in Wooster, Ohio. Its cross-shaped plan, many gables, brackets and bargeboard trim, a tall square tower with a pyramidal roof, and porches that nearly surround the building make it distinctive. Inside, a spiral stairway rises from the entrance hall to the attic, and the first floor has three large parlors with ornate hardwoods and fireplaces. The house was originally in the Bloomington neighborhood near the College of Wooster. When the clinic that owned the property planned to demolish it, a citizens' group called the Save the Overholt Society worked to prevent the loss. In 1982, on its 100th anniversary, the house was moved intact to Beall Avenue and restored with an historic paint scheme. Its listing rests on its architecture and its excellent state of preservation. The move also prompted the city to adopt legislation encouraging landmark preservation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the finest example of late nineteenth century Stick Style architecture in Wooster and the best preserved late nineteenth century residence in the community. It cites a tall square tower, detailed porches on all sides and a spiral stair running from the first floor to the attic as features found on no other Wooster building. It also notes the local preservation effort that saved the house from demolition.
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 83004345, listed December 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1473 Beall Ave., Wooster |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | December 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004345 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | unknown (built by Karl D. Overholt, a local businessman, per the narrative) |
| Architectural style | Stick Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in 1982 to a new site and being restored for conversion into real estate offices and meeting space for the local preservation organization, while retaining its residential character. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.81614, -81.94571 (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 83004345.
- 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.