Spafford House
Why it's listed
Built around 1830 on high, dry ground just west of Fort Meigs, this two-story frame house near Perrysburg is a country interpretation of Greek Revival design. It rests on a dressed stone foundation and is three bays wide, with its gable end facing the street. Six-over-six windows, a pilastered entrance with a full entablature, a glass transom and sidelights, and a fan window in the gable are its main features. The interior is plain, almost Shaker-like. The house is attributed to Aurora Spafford, a son of Amos Spafford, whose family counted as the first permanent settlers in Wood County. Amos fought at Fort Meigs, received 160 acres from the federal government in 1818, and gave Perrysburg its name. Aurora, a Methodist preacher, helped found the first Methodist congregation in the Maumee Valley, and religious services were held in his home before a church existed. Once badly deteriorated, the house was being carefully restored when nominated.
Significance in brief: The house is an excellent example of a country version of Greek Revival architecture. It is also tied to the Spafford family, counted as the first permanent settlers in Wood County. Amos Spafford, the family head, was a major at the Battle of Fort Meigs, and his son Aurora helped found the first Methodist congregation in the Maumee Valley.
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 74001653, listed July 15, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 27338 W. River Rd., Perrysburg |
|---|---|
| County | Wood County |
| Listed | July 15, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001653 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (ca. 1830) |
| Architect / builder | Attributed to Aurora Spafford |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (country version) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good and altered; the house had fallen into severe disrepair and was being restored by its owners at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.54964, -83.62736 (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 74001653.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138773726
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.