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

Nomination for Ward-Thomas House

The case file that argued this property on to the National Register: 2,111 words across 20 pages, filed in 1984. 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 84003809, 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.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms 1. Name The Ward-Thomas House and/or common street & number - not for publication city, town - vicinity of - state county - 3. Classification X public . unoccupied - agriculture X museum X building(s) - private X park _ structure work in progress - private residence . site - in process X yes: restricted _ being considered - yes: unrestricted _ transportation _ other: The City of Niles, Ohio 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. 160 High Street, N.W. has this property been determined eligible?
_ federal _ local depository for survey records 039 both None Category Warren code commercial entertainment date Accessible educational government industrial district historic object Niles Ownership title Trumbull Public Acquisition Status religious received (3-82) scientific Inventory-Nomination Form The Thomas House date entered Ohio National Park Service Type all entries-complete applicable sections 2. Location Present Use National Register of Historic Places 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Trumbull County Court House 503 Brown Street For NPS use only 4. Owner of Property military Xno 44446 155 yes 34 West State Street 7. Description X original site X altered -moved wooded lot bounded on the north, east and south by the Mahoning River and Meander Creek, sided, single story bay extension with bracketed eaves and 2/1 windows.
The main block displays significant interior features including original woodwork, doors, front room are marble, as is the one in the dining room. In the parlor is a carved wooden sitting room, the outside kitchen was removed, the rear bedroom was also removed. The structures, a barn, garage and greenhouse. The barn, covered with vertical wooden siding, has a gable roof topped by two louvered original land owned by the Wards and presently owned by the City of Niles. foundation. Condition fair the Ward-Thomas house. excellent Located in the southern portion of Niles, the Ward-Thomas house is situated in a large house is three bays wide with a simple pedimented portico extending over the center door.
Check one The nominated property includes the above mentioned outbuildings and the extent of the the rear portion of the house was altered.A modern kitchen was created in the former former dining room was remodeled into a maid's sitting room and a pantry. shaped attic windows spaced between brackets every second panel. The greenhouse displays a wood framed glass roof and sides resting upon a raised brick Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

brackets and a porch supported by Doric columns and topped by a balustrade.In the 1920s The exact construction dates of these buildings can not be determined although their -unexposed The main facade of the main block is three bays wide with the entrance on the east side. A rear addition(c.1900s)features a gabled roof with eave returns supported by small _unaltered . ruins features glazed panels, transom and a rounded surround. The tall slightly rounded arched as a veranda with identical brackets and corinthian columns. The west elevation has a five To the rear of the house and in the southeast portion of the lot are three additional date deteriorated pitched hip roof with wide eaves supported by large brackets.The frieze displays oblong- windows are 2/l lights with plain surrounds.The east elevation continues the front porch clapboard siding.
There are three sets of double doors with large hinges, recessed panels style house has a stone foundation and clapboard siding.The main block features a low appearance indicates that they have been a part of the grounds since at least the early 20th century.Their inclusion in the nomination greatly adds to the estate character of 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Areas of Significance - Check and justify below - prehistoric - archeology-historic X architecture - social/ - music X 1800-1899 _ communications X industry This Italianate style "villa" with its low pitched roof, wide bracketed eaves and Located in northeast Ohio, Niles developed into an iron and steel manufacturing town enterprise prospered, Ward purchased the large expense of land south of Niles and built Ward, Jr. Under the leadership of James Ward, Jr., the Ward enterprises expanded greatly in the the Niles Firebrick Company in 1872, which remained one of Niles' leading industries In 1916, Margaret, Thomas' widow deeded her assets to her children. A daughter, Mary Thomas Waddell and her husband, Jacob Waddell lived in the house until 1969. Jacob to the Niles Historical Society to develop as a museum.
1600-1699 1862 1400-1499 1500-1599 1700-1799 commerce politics/government theater education engineering conservation Period humanitarian philosophy transportation invention science exploration/settlement Specific dates literature agriculture 1900- sculpture military industrialists associated with the mid-nineteenth century steel making industry in Niles. law manufactures are among the most extensive in the state. period of construction in Niles. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) was purchased by the Carnegie-Illinois division of U.S. Steel Corporation. _economics slightly rounded windows and entrance way is one of the best examples of this style and 1883 forced several of the Ward plants to be demolished or relocated in Youngstown. Built in 1862,the Ward-Thomas house is significant as the home of several leading Waddell was a financial and industrial leader in Niles. other (specify) James Ward came to Niles from Pittsburgh in 184l and established an iron plant.As the In 1978,the Thomas heirs gave the house to the city of Niles.It was then turned over during the mid-l860s due to the high demands of the Civil War for iron products of all -art _ archeology-prehistoric _ landscape architecture _ religion kinds. By the early 1880s, Henry Howe, the historican, wrote of Niles -- "Its iron his house in 1862.
James Ward died in 1864 and willed the property to his son, James The house and property were auctioned off in 1887 to John R. Thomas. Thomas established 1879, he purchased the William Ward blast furnace and largely remodelled it. In 1900, it community planning until 1950.John R.Thomas also aided the revival of the iron industry in Niles.In 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property - See attached boundary description. _ state 11. Form Prepared By date November 24, 1982 street & number _ 503 Brown Street (P.O. Box 368) state Ohio 44446 _ national *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 it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature -date code county Northing Zone name/title Attest: Easting Niles Chief of Registration 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification UTM References The archives of the Niles Historical Society and the records at the Trumbull County Courthouse.
Verbal boundary description and justification Keeper of the National Register The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries 216/652-1749 (office) I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register For NPs use only 4.22 acres city or town SHPO 216/544-3806 (home) Quadrangle name Warren 415/517 81610 organization telephone The Niles Historical Society OMB No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service subsequently the overall development of Niles. James Ward, Jr.
developed his father's holdings further to include along with the Ward Rolling Mill, a coal processing plant Page Continuation sheet (3-82) Inventory-Nomination Form National Register of Historic Places date entered original acreage due to later subdivision and changes in ownership of the land.The nominated contributing to the industrial importance of the Mahoning Valley and northeast Ohio. property still conveys the feeling of the large estate. and contributed significantly to the growth and development of the community aswell as For NPS use only and the Russia Sheet Iron Mills, John R. Thomas owned, in addition to the fire-brick surrounding houses located on smaller lots. company, the Thomas Furnace. These industries employed a great number of Niles' residents edge of Niles.
The wooded property physically and visually separates the residence from buildings associated with the Ward-Thomas residence but does not include all of the received The Ward-Thomas property reflects the prominence of these two local industrialists. Ward The nominated property includes several out- NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior Far NPS use only date entered Continuation sheet The Ward-Thomas House Item number 10 within said bounds 4.22 acres of land, more or less, together with the residence dwelling Page Inventory-Nomination Form National Park Service and other appurtenances within said bounds; the said leased premises being further National Register of Historic Places Beginning at a point at the northeast corner of the intersection of Third Street described on a drawing attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part thereof.
forming an angle of 90 received (3-82) WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET nomination by person or local government owner objection Lappeal J request - NR decision _ see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: . _ technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? 7.
Description -excellent - original site Category moved Accessible Condition dates completeness REJECT Status Ownership sample unexposed Discipline alterations/integrity RETURN Reviewer Recom./Criteria Entered in the clarity deteriorated OHIO Ward-Thomas House National Register resubmission Action: ruins Trumbell County boundary selection Substantive Review: Working No. Public Acquisition summary paragraph Federal Agency: Reviewer's comments: Present Use Describe the present and original (if known)physical appearance Check one Date Due: good unaltered fair yes 8. Significance completeness 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data 11.
Form Prepared By - Date _ Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Builder/Architect state Signed context national applicable criteria clarity local Phone title Maps Specific dates UTM References Photographs Quadrangle name justification of exception justification of areas checked 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Verbal boundary description and justification Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph State Historic Preservation Officer signature relating significance to the resource relationship of integrity to significance Acreage of nominated property The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: Other Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Period 503 Niles Historical Society. View Photo no. 1 of 2 of the house looking east.
Photographed by Keil Jennings, The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. View January, 1983, negatives at the Niles Historical Society. View Photo no. 2 of 12 January, 1983, negatives at the Photographed by Keil Jennings, of west facade looking east. The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. Photo no. 3 of 12 Photographed by Keil Jennings, of main entrance, looking south. January, 1983, negatives at the Niles Historical Society. View The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. Photographed by Keil Jennings, looking north. Niles Historical Society. View The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. January, 1983, negatives at the Photo no. 4 of 12 Photo no. 5 of /2 Photographed by Keil Jennings, of west facade looking north. The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. Nines Historical Society. View January,1983, negatives at the Photo no. 6 of 12 Photographed by Keil Jennings, January, 1983, negatives at the Niles Historical Society.
View of east facade looking west. The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. north. Photographed by Keil Jennings, ior view of main entrance, looking January, 1983, negatives at the Photo no. 7 of 12 The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. Photographed by Keil Jennings, ior view of the "big room" showing 2 marble fireplaces. January, 1983, negatives at the The Ward-Thomas House, Niles, OH. Photo no. 8 of 12 Inter- Niles Historical Society.
August 1983 Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio Negatives: Niles Historical Society Ward-Thomas House Front entrance to greenhouse Photographer: Keil Jennings Barn Negatives: Niles HIstorical Society Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio Ward-Thomas House August 1983 Photographer: Keil Jennings Garage Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio Negatives: Niles Historical Society Ward-Thomas House August 1983 Photographer: Keil Jennings Ward-Thomas House August 1983 Greenhouse Negatives: Niles Historical Society Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio Photographer: Keil Jennings UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WARREN QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WARREN, OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) ROAD CLASSIFICATION STATE OF OHIO BROWN ST. ETC HOUSE ESTATE BARN COURTYARD GARAGE NO SCALE Nard-Thonas House WADDELL ESTATE- AREA LEASED T: HISTOR GAL SOCIETY Niles, Trumbal1 County, Ohio * FENCE -7 460 340 GREEN- Ward-Thomas E.
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