Decorative drawing: an ornate nineteenth-century American house. Not a photograph of this place.

Nomination for Williams, Henry Harrison, House

The case file that argued this property on to the National Register: 2,035 words across 11 pages, filed in 1978. Read by 4 independent recognisers, of which at least 3 had to agree before a line was published.

Source document Held by the National Archives in Record Group 79 as reference 78002105, where it exists only as a scan with no text layer. The words below were read off that scan by 4 independent recognisers at two resolutions. Only lines that at least 3 of them returned identically appear below; where they disagreed, the line is withheld rather than guessed, so some of the form's furniture is missing. Spelling is never corrected, so a stray character that all the readers agreed on is the recogniser's and the typewriter's.. Nothing is summarised, corrected or written by this site. See the catalogue record, or return to the property.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES JUL 12 1978 INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS AND/OR COMMON 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 37392 Detroit Road _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 13th Donald Pease - VICINITY OF PRESENT USE DISTRICT X STRUCTURE _WORK IN PROGRESS X PRIVATE RESIDENCE PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS - YES: UNRESTRICTED SCIENTIFIC TRANSPORTATION X NO OWNER OF PROPERTY Thomas J. Smith 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.
Lorain County Recorder, Lorain County Administration Building 226 Middle Avenue REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS 093 039 CODE OBJECT UNOCCUPIED TITLE DATE Lorain GOVERNMENT CATEGORY ACCESSIBLE HISTORIC COUNTY OWNERSHIP STATE COMMERCIAL Avon Ohio Elyria INDUSTRIAL MILITARY CLASSIFICATION SITE RECEIVED PUBLIC STATUS Henry Harrison Williams House NAME RELIGIOUS DATE ENTERED BUILDING(S) Lorain County Regional Planning Commission COURTHOUSE. _ENTERTAINMENT Ohio Historic Inventory _BEING CONSIDERED _EDUCATIONAL 313 Michigan Avenue MAY DATA SHEET X_PRIVATE _OTHER: PH0669334 - PARK _BOTH FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM MAY 13th DESCRIPTION DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The exterior of the building has a simple, massive cornice in the main section featuring partial re- Four columns originally framed the entranceway, but have been removed. The exterior is covered by and replaced only where necessary - The interior features simple, massive Greek Revival woodwork. There are no fireplaces in the suggesting that it was built at an earlier date. The basement floors are dirt and the main supporting beams are trees cut in half with the bark still intact. terns, one of which extends above grade to a height of about six feet. CONDITION MOVED DATE EXCELLENT RUINS UNALTERED FAIR XALTERED GOOD yard, and the entire structure consists of massive wood beams joined by mortise and tennon construction. CHECK ONE clapboard siding accented by simple wood trim.
Most of this exterior siding is original, although in tions of the house; the east wing is three steps lower than the west wing and has lower height ceilings The original physical appearance of the home was that of a classic Greek Revival building consist- and shrubbery are located to the west of this house.Highways constrict the house on the south and east sides. considerably altered, but still features an original two panel door surrounded by side and top windows. This property contains some unusual and interesting cistern-like structures that relate to the house's X_DETERIORATED which this house is located. This house faces Detroit Road, which runs along an old beach ridge.The turns.
A circular window in the gable may date from a later period.The central e ntranceway has been terior has done much to bring the house back to its original appearance.Wood shingle siding and sev- early history as a place of manufacture of early pioneer baking products.The basement contains a ing of a wood frame two story main section, oriented with its gable end toward the street and a story eral incongrous additions have been removed and the original siding and cornices have been repaired large round brick structure, about ten feet in diameter and extending from the floor to the ceiling.It certain areas new wood siding has replaced the deteriora ting clapboards.Restoration work to the ex- The foundation walls are a combination field stone and hand quarried sandstone of local origin laid XORIGINAL SITE brick trough is located along the north wall of the basement.At the rear of the house are several cis- Detroit Road and Sheffield French Creek Road form an acute angle intersection on the corner on ground slopes away to the rear, so that the basement of the house is at grade level in the back.Trees is constructed of brick several rows thick and is entered from a trap door on the first floor.A long up in rubble walls.
and a half lateral wing. The construction is native wood, cut at the H.H. Williams sawmill and lumber - UNEXPOSED house, but an open stairway is located in the entrance hallway. The floor levels differ in the two por- AREAS OF

Statement of significance

one of America's wealthiest utility magnates, whose fortunes at one time were counted in the hundreds community - It appears that this property has been the site of commercial activity since the community of in this house. In 1850 he erected the first steam sawmill in the town and in 1856 built a gristmill, both on land ad joining the present house. Williams also operated an ashery on the property, which and was active in county politics for years. Everett Williams later owned the Thomas W. Laundon appealed the suit, and in 1953, the y ear of his death, the U.S. Supreme Court drastically reduced his 1600-1699 1700-1799 1400-1499 X1800-1899 ART ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC SCIENCE PREHISTORIC COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING PERIOD SCULPTURE SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER/ARCHITECT THEATER EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT TRANSPORTATION 1900- fine.
AGRICULTURE LITERATURE MILITARY board of directors of several large utility companies. Williams was able to assemble a vast inter- EDUCATION history against him for various financial dealings involving major Eastern utilities.He successfully influential businessmen and managed to assemble a personal fortune in excess of six hundred million MUSIC involved in the then forming utility industry.He became chief executive officer and was on the House in Elyria, making extensive improvements to the house during his residency. The primary significance of the Henry Harrison Williams House lies in its intimate connection with years.
In 1844, Henry Harrison Williams acquired the property and established a mercantile business _CONSERVATION dollars, although he never attained his professed goal of a billion dollar empire.His wedding in 1926 -PHILOSOPHY during the Depression, but he remained a very prominent and wealthy businessman. Williams managed nificant as the home of an important pioneer merchant and manufacturer. This house is also one of banker at the end of the nineteenth century.He was a banker at the First National Bank in Elyria Traces of this ashery business remain today, making this property a potential site for future archaeo- the oldest remaining buildings in Avon and occupies a prominent and historic location in the logical exploration.A son of Henry Harrison Williams, Everett E.Williams, becamea very prominent locking network of utility companies.
By the 1920's, Williams was among America's richest and most INVENTION -1500-1599 Harrison Williams, son of Everett and grandson of Henry Harrison Williams, was born in this house French Creek was first settled.Calvin Bronson acquired this property in 1836 and owned it for several in 1873. After receiving an education in the public schools, Williams went to New York and became to an attractive young woman made social headlines. Much of Williams' financial empire dissipated ofmi llions of dollars.The Williams House was the site of an early ashery business,and bears traces to make history late in life when in the early 1950'sa federal court levied the largest fine in American was used to turn wood ashes into salt and baking powder to supply the needs of the local settlers.
of its former use in the cisterns and brick structures that are present on the property.lt is also sig- - RELIGION -LAW SPECIFIC DATES ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC COMMUNITY PLANNING CIRCA 1840

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1894, pages 734-738 2) Boynton, W.W. The Early History of Lorain County- Elyria, Ohio; 1876 (1973 reprint by Unigraphics) . 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA 6) Wright, Frederick G.A.
Standard History of Lorain County ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 0.74 VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION located primarily within and to the rear of the house, are specifically to become a part of this LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE _ 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Steven McQuillin, planner STREET & NUMBER 21 Turner Block, Court Street CITY OR TOWN 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL _ LOCAL V As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665).I herebynominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER COUNTY 322-4725 CODE ORGANIZATION DATE NORTHING TELEPHONE nomination. Ohio Elyria GPO892.453 UTM REFERENCES ZONE EASTING Lorain County Regional Planning Commission Sheffield-French Creek Roads, as described in the Lorain County Recorder's Office.This property has August 1977 ATTEST: in the nomination.The various cisterns and brick structures as described in Section 7,and which are only one structure located on it, the Henry Harrison Williams House, and this structure is to be included The nominated property includes the parcel of land located at the northwest corner of Detroit and Titus, Simmons and Titus.
Atlas of Lorain County.1874 5)Williams Brothers.History of Lorain of Leader Printing Co.,1879 SHPO DIRECTER 4588-970 ZONE Beers, J.H.A Commemorative Biographical History of Lorain and Huron Counties.Chicago,ll.: 5 - 26 28 YOR THE NOMINATION. Inventory - REVIEW UNIT CHIEF JUL 12 1978 Re-submit .
TECHNICAL Entered OTHER ARCHEOLOGIST HAER KEEPER Send-back Maps HISTORIAN Review Lorain National Register Write-up BRANCH CHIEF CONTROL Federal Register Entry United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WAso No.7 9.5.28 Photos 4 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN 76002105 6) South facade, looking north MAY 2 2 1978 JUL 1 2 1978 1) Henry Harrison Williams House 4) May 1978 5) Lorain County Regional Planning Commission 2) Avon, Ohio 3) Steven McQuillin 4) May 1978 6) Southeast corner, looking northwest MAY 2 2 1978 JUL 12 1978 5) Lorain County Regional Planning Commission 1) Henry Harrison Williams House 3) Steven McQuillin 2) Avon, Ohio 7) HHW - 2 2) Avon, Ohio 3) Steven McQuillin 4) January 1978 5) Lorain County Regional Planning Commission 6) View of cisterns at rear, looking west JUL 12 1978 MAY 2 2 1978 1) Henry Harrison Wi lliams House 2) Avon, Ohio 4) January 1978 5) Lorain County Regional Planning Commission 6) View of cisterns, looking southwest JUL 1 2 1978 MAY 2 2 1978 Steven McQuillin 1) Henry Harrison Wi lliams House 7) HHW -4g4 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GEOLOGICAL SURVEY | Avon, Ohio UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MAP AVON QUADRANGLE JUL 12 1978 Honorable Howard M.
Metzenbaum Honorable John H. Glenn, Jz. Dr. Thomas H. Smith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Location Byers/bjr STATE 7/14/78 Name Avon Lorain County State Historic Preservation Officer ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Also Notified Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Honorable Donald J. Pease Date Entered Director, The Ohio Historical Society Will1ams, Henzy Harrison, House 2 OTHER NAMES: 3 date of entry: Williams, Henry Harrison, House city / town -STATE 12 SOURCE Of NOMINATION - FEDERAL - LOCAL - deteriorated Daltered Oruins C NOT INTACT-O -unexcavated 3O NOT APPLICABLE-7 - No Access SAVED?
YES ) AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : OCLAIMS: explain - RECREATION -28 "first'O CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - ENTERTAINMENT-26 - LAW- 16 C RELIGION- 22 C SETTLEMENT-29 -ARCHEOLOGY- historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 -EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE - 17 - SCIENCE - 23 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION- 8 C HEALTH- 27 - MILITARY- 18 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 - INDUSTRY - 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 'only' D - ART-5 - EDUCATION- 10 C INVENTION - 14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 *landscape arehiteet / garden designer: * interior decorator: )builder/contractor: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP _date.
TIF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE Lorain PH0669334 county ASSOCIATION functions Avon 13th PERSONAL: CURRENTLY: INSTITUTIONAL: historic events: SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 ENGINEERING-11 EVENTS: vicinity of major alterations: dates of initial construction: COMMERCE-6 architectural style(s): URBAN PLANWING-31 PRIVATE ORGANIZATION Dunexposed ADMINISTRATOR: WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET reviewers initials. 37392 Detroit Rd. Dexcellent IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?yesno Coriginal site Omoved O UN KNOWN -5 - county code: Plan. Comm. 17) features: ACCESS CONGRESS. DISTRICT -reconstructed C LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS/ GOVT.* 21 ETHNIC CONDITION GROUP engineer: artist: as it appears on federal register: master builder: 39artisan: Ofair