Heeter-Russo House
Why it's listed
This 1-1/2 story brick house at 24570 Second Street in Grand Rapids, Ohio, dates to about 1870 and shows the ornate detailing of mid-Victorian 'fanciwork'. It is laid out on a Greek cross plan atop a stone foundation, with intersecting gable roofs covered in original slate. Jigsawn bargeboards, cornice trim, carved wood brackets and finials with pendants decorate the gables. Each gable frames a bracketed, wood-laced canopy over two doors, and the windows and doors have carved wood pediments. Inside, the two street-facing entrances open to the living room and dining room, joined by wide openings. The house is tied to Fred Heeter, born in 1855, who ran a dry goods store selling fine china, glassware, cigars and confections and held many local political offices. A fire in 1898 destroyed records, so it is uncertain whether he built the house, though he lived there. It is valued as one of few examples of Victorian gingerbread architecture in Wood County.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as an excellent example of Victorian 'gingerbread' architecture, one of few in Wood County. It was also the home of Fred Heeter, a prosperous dry goods merchant who held many local political offices. A fire in 1898 destroyed records, so it is not certain that Heeter built the house, though he lived there.
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 75001554, listed May 29, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 24570 2nd St., Grand Rapids |
|---|---|
| County | Wood County |
| Listed | May 29, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001554 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (ca. 1870) |
| Architect / builder | Fred Heeter (believed builder; not confirmed) |
| Architectural style | Victorian 'gingerbread' / mid-Victorian 'fanciwork'; Picturesque Gothic noted on the data sheet |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition, altered, on its original site, and in use as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.41034, -83.87416 (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 75001554.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138766249
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.