Nomination for Croco House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) Exp. N0-30-4-0018 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 MAY 22 1985 date entered JUN 2 O 1985 historic Croco House and or common 2. Location Croco - Painter House State Route street & number 83 - not for publication city, town Holmesville X. vicinity of Holmesville 44633 state Ohio code 039 3. Classification Category district Ownership - public X building(s) x private structure both site Public Acquisition object in process being considered N/A 4.

Owner of Property county Holmes code 075 Status - occupied unoccupied - work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use - agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military -museum -park Xprivate residence religious scientific transportation other: name William and Rosanna Painter street & number Box 36 city, town Holmesville vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Ohio 44633 courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Holmes County Courthouse street & number Millersburg Street city, town Millersburg 6. Representation in Existing Surveys state OH 44654 title Ohio Historic Inventory form has this property been determined eligible? yes x no date federal X state county local depository for survey records Stark County Regional Planning Conmission RPO city, town Canton state Oli 7.

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

Description of the property

This home is situated adjacent a slight escarpment which falls off to Salt Creek to the immediate south. Located in the fertile bottomland of the Killbuck River Valley, the settlement of this land by Peter Croco in 1818 was a natural lure to good farming near a water source. This house is a two story structure in the main core. It has an addition (contiguouswithmain block and original) which serves as a kitchen with a one room loft. A pantry is attached to this directly to the rear. Front, rear and side porches complete the irregular pattern. This red brick house is imposing as set back from a well traveled secondary highway. Its Italianate styling is a very close representation of plan book fabrication for rural settings. Its lack of extreme ornamentation is compatible with architecture in the vernacular mode.

The truncated, hipped roof structure is topped with a belvedere with its own The ten windows in this feature are double-hung and semi-elliptical. The belvedere has a door for walkout observation. cresting for the strolling area is now absent. The roof is galvanized, corrugated metal - and is painted dark green. It is in good repair. chimneys are stable al though somewhat reduced without ornamental corbeling. Limestone chimney caps (horizontal) are still intact. A double-bracketed cornice is highlighted with deeply scrolled carpenter work. The frieze is highlighted with decorative flatwork of intricate wooden des ign. Ornamental modillions punctuate the cornice between brackets. paired brackets themselves over extend the architrave onto the second brick course from the top of that detail. Water runoff was through an interior gable guttering system, since amended.

On the main block, window treatment is two-over-two, double hung. Window lights on the kitchen and loft room are six-over-six, double hung sash. and window treatments for lintel and sill are the same. Lintels are plain Sills are plain lug. Lintels are flush with the brick face while the sills are set bas relief to extend over the surface by one inch. cut stone lintel over the rear kitchen door has "1873" inscribed with "keiffer Croco" also. Faded blue shutters still cover some rear windows. The American bond brick work appears to be in a very good state of repair. Triple thick walls show no settling or stress fractures. The pantry does illustrate an angular separation due to an attached foundation departure. Under the main block the foundation is so intact, the brickwork is basically undisturbed. The wooden porches are ornamented by scroll work, brackets and chamfered col umns.

The narrow entablature is generally plain and free therefore of fretwork. This is true also of the eaves and cornice of the kitchen wing. The interior gives a commodius feeling with well-sized rooms and lofty eleven foot high ceilings. The first floor is in generally good condition. walnut woodwork (for door and window surrounds and moulding) is intact. Oak or chestnut flooring is in good order and not in need of repair or replacement. NPS Form 10.900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Croco House, Holmesville, vic., Holmes County, Ohio Continuation sheet DESCRIPTION Item number 7 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received dafe entered Page 2 The second floor has suffered the ravages of vandalism.

Windows which were broken out and shutters damaged have allowed in small animals and the elements. Moisture damage was still not as profound as that of vandals who broke out an entire turned walnut banister. Plaster in some places was punched and bludgeoned through beyond the supporting lath. As interior brick walls extend beyond the second floor ceiling, some rooms had little damage. The interior is now undergoing complete, sympathetic rehabilitation. The work is extensive due to the damage but it is being done with respect to the integrity of the dwelling. There was no central heating byway of a main heat source. All rooms were provided an iron heating stove for coal consumption, hence the presence of five chimneys. Overall, the process of rescue of this elegant home is slowly and carefully unfolding.

The owners recognize the restoration will be a lengthy avenue but are committed to correctness in the undertaking. The house is located in an agricultural setting just off and very visible from the main road. There is evidence of "father and mother" spruce trees in the front of the house but only one remains. A large barn foundation remains on the property as well as what appears to be the site of one other bullding. A frame shed of indeterminate age remains as a garage.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 _1800-1899 1900 Areas of Significance - Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric community planning archeology-historic conservation . agriculture economics architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention Builder/Architect landscape architecture law literature military music philosophy politics government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1873 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) unknown Criteria C The Croco House is significant as an expression of late nineteenth century Italianate style architecture. It was built in 1873 by Peter and Keifer Croco who were influential stock raisers in the Killbuck Valley. The Croco House demonstrates clear aspirations for the architecture of "Italian villa" type country estates popular in the 1870s. This was a time of major commercial and agricultural growth in Holmes County, resulting in the construction of several Italianate styled farmhouses in the northern part of the county. One of these, the Joseph DeYarmon House, is already listed on the National Register (5/4/82). The Croco House, built in 1873, appears to be unique among the identified resources of this era in its use of a large bel vedere. This feature is likely a consequence of its hilltop location overlooking the KillbuckValley.

It undeniably reflects the wealth and success of the Croco stock breeding activities, a prominent occupation among Holmes County farmers. Arriving from Pennsylvania, Peter Croco bought large tracts of land just a few miles north of the Greenville Treaty Line (40 38'). Shortly after his arrival, he built a "blockhouse" as a buffer against Indian unrest. As an early landholder in newly opened lands and eventual ly becoming an established farmer, the Croco Homestead became a locus for the small community. of Holmesville was soon to be centered near the home owing to the influence of Croco in the daily lives of his neighbors. By popular assent, Peter Croco was appointed regional judge. Peter and his son, Keiffer (varied spellings: Keifer and Keefer) built this home as a joint proposal. Tax and atlas records and family letters show Peter Croco residing on the farm until 1886.

Keiffer was to inherit the holdings. Keiffer, farmer and noted stock raiser and breeder, settled land owned by his father but returned to the farmstead upon Peter's death. At the date of construction, Peter was eighty years of age and Keiffer was fifty. The Croco Homestead, built at a cost of nearly $7,000.00, is significant in that as a landmark it is immediately noticeable on a rise off of State Route 83. Just north of Holmesville, it is prominent and singular as an example of Victorian red brick construction; even to a passer-by knowing little of architectural history - this house immediately catches the eye and interest. People of Prairie Township and from adjoining towns know of this property by verbal description though they may know little of its origins.

Holmesville, itself a village of basical ly frame structures, is fortunate to count the notable structure as a part of its heritage and thereby lending individuality to this rural setting.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Almendinger, Fred A. Caldwell. An Historical Study of Holmes County, Ohio, Doctoral tnesis: 1938. COndit, Ohio, 1875. J. A. Caldwell's Atlas of Holmes County, Onio, 1875. Caldwell Publishing Co., Egger, Donald C. Holmes County, Ohio: Flashes from the Past. Millersburg '63 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property lolmesville 4,176 Quadrangle name UT M References AL1Z/ 14|211|5190/ Zone Easting 414/918|51810 Northing Quadrangle scale 1:24000 biLu Easting Northing HLJLLILL Yroaynrdeedpty state siticatioto N and E and Salt Creek on S and W. Parcel Prairie Twp. is: from NE crn 300' to SE crn then 435' from Se crn to SW ern then 575' to NW crn. As shown on the survey map. 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 Michael Murphy organization date March 20, 1984 street & number 906 17th Street, NE telephone 1-216-837-1833 city or town Massillon, OH state OH 44646 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 it has been evaluated State Historic Preservation Officer signature title SHPO For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register telous untered Syeu in the National Begister Keeper of the National Register Attest: Chief of Registration date 4/30/85 date 6-20-85 date U.S.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1983 0 - 419-311 NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Croco House, Holmesville, vic., Holmes County, Ohio Continuation sheet SIGNIFICANCE Item number 8 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received dale entered Page 2 Aside from the present owners, past ownership has yielded little by way of personal history related to the home and property. Previous owners now living in Wisconsin had little to submit through correspondence regarding this nomination. Repeated inquiries have not produced additional documentation. This lack of personal data has not altered the desire of the present owners to restore the Croco Homestead to it's original fabric as a dwelling and place of prominence in the Holmesville community setting.

S-01º50'36"-W Croco House, Holmesville, vic., Holmes County, Ohio SURVEY of a 4.176 ACRE PARCEL NW QTR. SEC. 3 T-13-N, R-13-W Prairie Township HOLMES COUNTY, OHIO Section Line N-87°57'30"W 1537.45 S- 6841'00'E 555.00' 23.60' 40.00'- North Edge of Pavement - I.P. Fd. S.R. - - RR Spk. Fd. 83 A - RR Spk. Set S-68°41'00"'E o - 9g"x 30" Rebar With Yellow 441.00 Plastic Cap Marked RUDOLPH Set 6449 N-01º50'36"-E 575.00 4.176 Ac. 300.00' S-01º50'36"-W 40.00 1 34 34 References Deeds Vol. II2, Pg.449 Vol. 195, Pg. 375 Plats Vol. 6, Pg. 113 Vol. 7, Pg. 763 Scale: 1"= 100 50' 100' 200' 435.00' S-74°44'00'W 300' Job No. 788 1 Certify This Survey And Plat To Be Correct To The Best Of My Knowledge. 6.8-82 1 tonal E Kudolah Date Ronald G. Rudolph - R.S. 6449 R.G. RUDOLPH SURVEYING, Inc. 1175 SummersetDr.

Wooster, Ohio 4469l WASO Form - 177 ('R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REi II 85001343 Croco House Holmes County OHIO L resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: -sample Jrequest Working No. MAX 22 1985 Fed. Reg. Date: 21 4/86 Date Due: 6/20/83 Action: Entered in ACCEPT -7/6/85 -- 20-8 National RETURN hegister _REJECT- Federal Agency: . -appeal L NR decision Recom./Criteria_ Reviewer Discipline Date _ see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: _technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition -excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one - unaltered -altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one -original site -moved date. 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/Architect 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 9. Major Bibliographical References 10.

Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature date title 13. Other -Maps L Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to _ Signed Date - _ Phone: _ Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet CROCO-PAINTER HOUSE Holmesville, OH 44633 M. Murphy: Photographer Photo date: 7/4/83 Negatives location: photog. Site view: north W CROCO - PAINTER HOUSE Holmesvil1e, OH 44633 M. Murphy, Photographer Photo date: 7/4/83 Negatives location: photog. Site view: west CROCO-PAINTER HOUSE Holmesville, OH 44633 M. Murphy: Photographer Photo date: 7/4/83 Negatives location: photog.

Site view: south (porch)