Nomination for Swetland House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections 1. Name. For NPS use only received DEC 7 date entered 1982 historic Swetland -Residence Ho4s e and/or common 2. Location London Community Art Center street & number city, town 147 East High Street London "Lit not for publication *IA vicinity of state Ohio code 3. Classification Category Ownership district public X building(s) X private structure both site Public Acquisition object in process being considered NI A 4.

Owner of Property county Madison code 097 status occupied unoccupied work in progress Acessible - yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use _ agriculture commercial X educational entertainment - government industrial - military X museum park private residence religious scientific transportation . other: name Mr. John Sawyer street & number 8050 Hosbrook Court city, town Cincinnati -vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Ohio courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Madison County Courthouse street & number Corner of Fourth Street and Main Street city, town London state Ohio 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title date Onio Historic Inventory May 1981 has this property been determined eligible? - yes federalX state - county _ local depository for survey records Ohio Historical Society (Interstate 71 and 17th Ave.) city, town Columbus state Ohio 7.

Description Condition excellent X good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one - Check one unaltered - X original site X altered moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Swetland residence stands on the crest of a slight rise facing south. In the 19th century, the lot was bounded by High Street to the south, Swetland Ave. to the east, New Hampshire Street on the north and smaller residential lots on the west. The lot lines are the same today with the exception of the north line which no longer extends all the way to New Hampshire. The Swetland residence is an imposing 2½ story, 3 bay Italianate home built in 1871. Perhaps the earliest surviving documentation of the home is an artist's sketch in the 1875 Atlas of Madison County- From this sketch it is clear that the Swetland home has seen relatively few exterior alterations. The house is built of red brick laid in common bond and is of masonry bearing wall construction. The service areas were connected to the house but there is a clear separation made between these two areas.

The main section of the house is highlighted with bold pressed metal hoodmolds over large segmental 'arch windows. These hoodmolds are stilted and appear to rise from anthemion shaped corbel stops. In addition, the keystones are emphasized. The windows are one-over-one double hung windows and most of the sashes in place today appear original. The large double doors which serve as the main entry doors have a semi-circular arch opening which is ornamented similar to the windows. These large paneled doors open into an entry vestibule and a second pair of elaborate double doors. Today, the curvilinear glass panels in each of the doors is clear glass. A former resident, Miss Isabelle Chandler, remembers that the original glass in these doors was frosted. The truncated hipped roofof the front section is interrupted by low wall dormers with semi-circular arch attic windows.

Each facade has one attic window centered horizontally. The cornice line is decorated with large brackets flanked by smaller brackets and by two rowsof fretwork whichcoverthe fascia board. The roof material today is asphalt shingles, but the original material was probably slate. Finally, the roof is topped with ironwork which surrounds the roof deck. The ironwork in place today is intended to resemble, but not copy, the original cresting. Of the 4 porches which are located on the south, east and west sides of the house, the most elaborate one is the large porch on the south. It spans the entire front facade and is supported by 4 post and 2 pilasters which are approximately 7" square with champfered corners. These posts rise from larger plinths and are topped by capitals which support the span between the posts. This span is decorated with fretwork similar to that of the cornice.

A number of these posts are exact duplicates of the originals Otvicn tr op thoe oies which were too deteriorated to salvage. The porches are all wood as is the cornice ornamentation, and like the cornice are painted olive green. The back section of the house is much less ornate. The window and door openings are trabeated with stone lintels and sills and the cornice is unadorned with the exception of small brackets similar to those on the front section. The shed roof over this 2-story section slopes slightly to the north.

The most significant changes to this addition include a small window which has been cut to provide light for the back stair continued NPS Form10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form London, Madison Co., Ohio Continuation sheet Swetland Residence Item number 7 OMB No.1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use anly received dale entered Page 2 and a larger window which has been partially bricked up. The remaining windows are all one-over-one double hung windows. Under the house there are two completely separate cellars. These cellars were never joined and both apparently served as root cellars. In addition to the alteration of the windows in the back section of the house there has been one other significant exterior alteration.

Some time after 1933 an elaborate wrought iron stair was installed on the east side of the house. This stair now serves as an emergency stair for the second floor. In comparison to the elaborate exterior ornamentation, the interior is rather austere with the exception of four fireplaces and the main stairway. The window and door trim is very plain and the same trim is found throughout the house. The plaster walls and ceilings have no moldings, cornices, or chair rails. The significant interior features include the dark oak stairway with its massive newell post which resembles the porch posts. This newell post is now painted white, but originally had a drak oak finish similar to the rest of the stairway. Also of

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

significance in this house are four cast iron fireplaces. The three fireplaces on the first floor have all been painted white or green, but the fireplace on the second floor retains its original finish, one which resembles black marble. Other interior features which should be noted are the paneled wooden doors, which are all painted, and the wood floors which are narrow boards and in good condition. Between 1933 and the early 1970s, the house wassubdivided into four apartments. These apartments have been removed and the interior has been rehabilitated. The rehabilitation efforts have successfully created an operational community center without seriously damaging the interior of the building; further, these efforts have returned the exterior of the Swetland residence to its 19th century appearance. 8.

Significance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below' - archeology-prehistoric communityplanning - archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics architecture education art engineering X commerce exploration/settlement _ communications industry invention landscape architecture law literature military music philosophy politics/government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1871 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Unknown Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Swetland Residence is historically significant through its association with Jeriah Swetland, a prominent local businessman. Architectural significance is derived through its district Italianate elements. The Swetland Residence, built in 1871, exhibits the asymmetrical massing, smooth wall surfaces, elaborate hoodmolds, bay windows, verandas and a hipped roof, which characterize the Italianate style. Jeriah Swetland first arrived in London, Ohio, in 1843, although he did not finally settle there until 1856. In that year, he established a partnership with his brother- in-law which ultimately made Jeriah Swetland one of the wealthiest men in London. Although his partnership was never formally dissolved, Mr.

Swetland retired in In the late 1860s Swetland combined his wealth, his interest in real estate, and his business acumen to create the Swetland residential addition southeast of downtown London. It was in this addition that Swetland built his fourteen room Italianate The Swetland house was one of the most elaborate homes ever built in London and was certainly the most impressive home built in the Swetland Addition. London contains a fine mix of significant residential architecture from the 19th century, yet the Swetland house 1s one of the few remaining high style Itallanate homes not located on Main Street. The survival of this house is enhanced by the fact that the house anc yards appear much as they did in the 19th century. Maintenance and rehabilitation efforts have been very sympathetic to the original design.

This house reminds the community of a man of great influence who might otherwise be forgotten as well as being one of the few survivors in the community from a period of architectural elegance which lasted from the Civil War to World War I. Presently the Swetland house is used as a community arts center. The property is owned and maintained by Mr. John Sawyer while Mrs. William Grubbs coordinates the various community arts programs and classes held throughout the year in the house.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References The History ot Madison county, Uh1o. W. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883. History of Madison County, Ohio. B. F. Bowen q Co., 1915. Caldwell's Atlas of Madison County, Ohio. J. A. Caldwel1, Philadelphia, 1875. Interview--Miss Isabelle Chandler former resident of the house and great-great grand niece of builder, Interview--Mrs, Wm. Grubbs, director of Art Center 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 22,300 Sq. Ft. Quadrangle name - London Quadrangle scale . 1:24,000 UT M References AL1Z 12191110,2101 Zone Easting 4/4|118|112,01 Northing Easting LLLLL Northing E GLL F HLILLILEL LILILLL Verbal boundary description and justification Located on Lot 7, Swetland Addition, London, Ohio. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By name/title Larry Paarlberg organization Ohio State University date May 1981 street & number 1490 Neil Avenue Apt. "M' telephone (614) 299-2560 city ortown Columbus state 43201 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national -- state local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer.for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that if has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature W title SHPO For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Entered TKeeper of the National Register in the National Register Attest: Chief of Registration date date 1/"/83 date Page copied from the Atlas of Madison County, 1875, showing the Swetland Residence. Res of HON LO don Madison Co Ohio. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Ueited States D rement ef the lo tarle Nationsl Park S EYALUATION / RETURN SHEE1 Swetland House Madison County OHIO Working No. 12. 17/823/64 Fed. Reg. Date: Date Due: 1/6/83 1/21/83 Action: _ACCEPT resubmission Entered In the - RETURN. nomination by person or local government National Register - REJECT.

owner objection Federal Agency:- appeal Substantive Reviow: -sample - request _ appeal - NR decision Reviewer's comments: -Nomination returned for: Recom. /Criteria. Reviewer. Discipline Date .see continuation sheet -technical corrections cited below -substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Poeretl Prosont Uoo 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legai Description 6. Représentation in Existing Surveys ee Mis property toon derermined 7. Description atertarae rbe h pross summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance Perted summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data nd property - 11.

Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification oe of unie property wle state -- locs Bate Mletonte Preservetten OMcer atgnature 13. Other Maps - Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed - Date - Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any Item may be continued on an attached sheet MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Old Swetland Residence Larry Paarlberg 1524 Neil Ave. Apt. 23 Columbus, OHIo May 1981 East Facade MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Old Swetland Residence Larry Paarlberg 1524 Neil Ave. Apt. 23 Columbus, OHIO May 1981 South facade MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Old Swetland Residence Larry Paarlberg 1524 Neil Avenue Apt. 23 Columbus, Olio May 1981 South entry MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Old Swetland residence Larry Paarlberg 1524 Neil Avenue apt.

23 Columbus, Ohio May 1981 West Facade MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Old Swetland Residence Larry Paarlberg 1524 Neil Avenue apt. 23 Columbus, Ohio May 1981 Newell post detail MADISON COUNTY, OHIO Old Swetland Residence Larry Paarlberg 1524 Neil Avenue apt. 23 Columbus, OHio May 1981 Cresting on deck roof Ohio Historic Preservation Office Ohio Historical Center 1-71&17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 (614) 466-1500 December 1, 1982 19I0 RECEIVED DEC7 1982) NATIONAL REGISTER Ms. Carol Shull, Chief Department of Registration National Register of Historic Places 440 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Carol: Enclosedarefourteen new National Register nominations and three resubmissions. All the appropriate notification procedures have been followed for the new submissions.

New Submissions Breese, Griffith, Farm Athens B&O Train Depot Herrington, John House and Herrington Bethel Church Center Inn Delaware Public Library Second Presbyterian Church Withrow High School West Side Planing Mill Swetland Residence Rock Hollow School Kettering, William Property Akron Public Library Cisler Terrace Sprague, Jonathon, House -Resubmissions County Allen Athens Carroll Delaware Delaware Franklin Hamilton Licking Madison Morgan Stark Summit Washington Washington Hull, Patrick House St. Matthews Protestant Episcopal Church Sandusky Multiple Resource Please let me know if you have any questions. Carroll Muskingum Erie Sincerely, W. V. Ray lace , Luea State Historic Preservation Officer WRL: BP:dd Encl.