Nomination for Livingston, Alexander W., House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 10024-0018 (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior MAY 1 6 1994 by entering the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name - Livingston, Alexander W. House 2. Location street & number _ N/A - not for publication city or town - - vicinity 3.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this Ix nomination -request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of X meets does not meet the National Register criteria.I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally -statewide [x/ locally. (L See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Ohio Historic Preservation Office -- OH SHPO State of Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (L See continuation sheet for additional 4. National Park Service Certification Entered in thoDate of Action M entered in the National Register. - See continuation sheet.

- determined not eligible for the L removed from the National - other, (explain:) state Reynoldsburg Date Register. comments.) Ohio 5-9-94 43068 National Register Registration Form 1792 Graham Road National Register of Historic Places Signature of certifying official/Title National Park Service NPS Form 10-900 RECEIVED 413 architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property I hereby certify that the property is: other names/site number _ N/A Livingston, Alexander W. House Franklin, Ohio Name of Property 5.

Classification Ownership of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply) Check only one box U private IX building(s) Là public-local - district - public-State - site - public-Federal - structure - object Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 6. Function or Use Current Functions Enter categories from instruction: Domestic/Single Dwelling Noncontributing Sandstone foundation Total Landscape/Garden other Asphalt walls roof Materials Architectural Classification Historic Functions 7.

Description Narrative Description Recreation and Culture/Museum Work in Progress (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Mid-19th Century County and State (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation shoets.) Wood Category of Property United States Department of the Interior Natlonal Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Alexander W. Livingston House Franklin County, Ohio The Alexander W. Livingston House was the family home of this world famous horticulturist and was built under Livingston's personal instructions. It is located at 1792 Graham Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and is a fine example of a mid-19th century frame dwelling. Great effort has been made by property owners to insure the historical integrity of the home. The House was built in 1865 by Nathan Orcutt, a cabinetmaker by trade.

Although it was built for function, typical mid-Victorian details are evident, including a very formal parlor, extensive molding and trim on ceilings, chair rails and Greek Revival window and door surrounds. The exterior of the house is clad with the consensus was that when Orcutt completed his work the house exterior would have a "furniture finish." The foundation was constructed of sandstone from the Forrester Alexander, helped lay the foundation. Stone steps also appear at both formal The house is a large two story rectangular dwelling with a symmetrical front gable facade. Prior to 1900, a summer kitchen was annexed to the east end. The addition contains the only entrance to the basement. Two small porches extend from the front shingles similar in color to the original slate. The chimney for the wood burning fireplace rises from the east end of the main roof ridge.

Fenestration includes some 21 double-hung windows, many featuring original hand blown glass. There are four entries into the house: the formal entry located in the hallway/parlor area, the common or everyday entry oriented on the north side of the house, the door on the east side (which is thought to have been used by Livingston and his sons while performing research in adjacent outbuildings), and the additional entry to the summer kitchen that was annexed by the preceding owners in the 1940's. In 1944, Keith and Madelon Seeds purchased the house and began its renovation, they kept foremost in their minds the structural integrity of this historical home. By Mr. Livingston added rooms as he added children.) All remaining walls are original entrances. Stone Quarry, located one mile from the house.

John Livingston, the father of Seeds expanded their living space from seven small bedrooms to three.(lt isbelieved National Park Service original clapboard siding. Reportedly, Mr. Livingston inspected each board to make sure it was knot free to give the home a smoother and more elegant appearance. The and side entrances. The slate roof was replaced in the mid-1950's with asphalt Alexander W. Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio plaster on lath. Repair to walls on the second floor is still in progress. Some twentieth closets and central heating, have been added. In the 1940's, original ash flooring in the kitchen and gathering room was removed. The summer kitchen was converted into Foor family.

Improvements to the interior also included the removal of a false dropped ceiling exposing original height of parlor walls and original ceiling, and removal of many layers of wallpaper, which then exposed original plaster walls. Originally, the Livingston farm occupied 136 acres but today only 3.811 acres remain undivided. Besides the house, the property includes two small wood frame outbuild- north of the house, within the circular driveway, is a cutting garden (contributing) that originally belonged to Mrs. Livingston. The garden has been preserved and is numerous native trees and shrubs. Currently, the property is owned by the City of Reynoldsburg and is used as a community center and museum. Continuation Sheet Natlonal Register of Historic Places Jnited States Department of the Interior Vational Park Service ings that are of unknown dates of construction (noncontributing).

In addition, to the maintained by the Reynoldsburg area garden clubs. The property is dotted by Livingston, Alexander W. House Franklin, Ohio Name of Property County and State 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance Enter categories from instructions for National Register listing.) Agriculture . - A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of X B Property is associated with the lives of persons - C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack Period of Significance individual distinction. L D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield. information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) -A owned by a religious institution or used for Significant Person - B removed from its original location.

(Complete if Criterion B is marked above) Livingston, Alexander W. - C a birthplace or grave. Cultural Affiliation - D a cemetery. - F a commemorative property. within the past 50 years. Orcutt, Nathan Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): N/A Primary location of additional data: - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 X State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register J Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National - Local government - University J designated a National Historic Landmark - Other - recordedbyHistoric American Buildings Survey - recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # Property is: Bibilography 1864-1878 Register Architect/Builder religious purposes. Significant Dates our history. significant in our past. E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.

G less than50 yearsof age or achieved significance Name of repository: (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Alexander W. Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio of the tomato. Alexander Livingston was the first person to succeed in upgrading the wild tomato, developing different breeds and stabilizing the plants. In the 1937 yearbook of the Federal Department of Agriculture, it was declared that "half of the major varieties were a result of the abilities of the Livingstons to evaluate and Paragon, was introduced in 1870. In 1875, he introduced the Acme, which was said competitors for the next twenty-five years. Both of these varieties were developed during the years he occupied the house.

This house is a fine specimen of vernacular mid-Victorian dwelling, custom built to the blown glass windows, curved wood staircase, extensive millwork and molding, plaster on lath walls, circle drive entrance, and a sandstone foundation. It has long been a maintained grounds. Alexander W. Livingston was born October 14, 1822. His parents already resided in limited, but he learned to read, spell, write and cipher in arithmetic. He had a quick retentive mind, and he was a close observer. At an early age Livingston was of Palmer Road. It was on this land that A. W. Livingston Buckeye Seed Gardens were Alexander built his home (nominated here) in 1864 having contracted a fine workman by the name of Nathan Orcutt. Mr. Livingston personally oversaw all construction and located. generous and optimistic disposition. In 1840, he married Matilda Dickey Graham.

In landmark in the City of Reynoldsburg, occupying a prominent location on well the Reynoldsburg area.He was raised in a life of pioneer farming.Schooling was very association with the owner, Alexander W. Livingston. Mr. Livingston received to be involved in the parentage of most of the tomatoes introduced by him and his highest standards of its time: knot free clapboard siding, tulip poplar flooring, hand 1852, Livingston purchased seventy acres of land east of Graham Road on both sides recognized among his friends and neighbors as an authority on all kinds of plants. He perpetuate superior material in the tomato." Livingston's first breed of tomato, the grew to be a large, physically strong man, having excellent health and a sunny, Section number . Page United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Alexander W.

Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio materials even paying $1.50 per 1000 board feet over the current lumber price so the exterior would be knot free. He and his family lived in the house until 1878. While living here he continued his experiments and studies to develop new and improved vegetables for his trade. He visited many state and county fairs. He became personally acquainted with growers and market gardeners all over the country, so that a good canning tomato. Whenever he introduced something new, the leading When Alexander W. Livingston began his attempts to develop the tomato as a commercial crop, his aim was to grow tomatoes smooth in contour, uniform in size and having better flavor. One year, after many attempts, he passed through his fields, picking out particular tomato plants having distinct characteristics and heavy foliage. He saved the seeds carefully.

The following spring he set two rows across his family bore perfect tomatoes like the parent vine. After five years, the fruit became fleshier different varieties of the tomato plant. He also developed sweet corn and cabbage Many Reynoldsburg families were employed by the Livingston Seed Company, in the fields surrounding this home and in fields of their own where they grew his seeds for his company. Families would picnic at the creek below the home to celebrate the latest harvest or seed sorting. In 1877-8, Livingston moved his business to Columbus. He and his sons continued to expand the operations and to experiment with new hybrids. He died in 1898. In 1965, the Franklin County Historical Society recognized Reynoldsburg as "The burg purchased the home, when the Robert Foor family retired to Florida. It now reputation. varieties.

serves as a community center and museum to the city's tomato heritage. garden located just below the hill and milk house. To his happy surprise, each plant Natlonal Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet seedsmen of the county cataloged them. They relied solely on Mr. Livingston's once to be a great enterprise of the county. He eventually developed over seventeen he could supply their specific needs regarding soil and temperature in order to grow and larger. In 1870, Alexander introduced the Paragon and tomato culture began at Tomato Festival to honor Mr. Livingston and his achievements. The City of Reynolds- Section number .. Page .. Livingston, Alexander W. House Name of Property County and State 10.

Geographical Data UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.) - See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By name/title organization_City of Reynoldsburg _ telephone_614-866-6188 - state . zip code_43068 Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location.

Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of SHPO or FPO.) City of Reynoldsburg street & number _ Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate a benefit im accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503 Maps telephone Northing Photographs Easting name Zone Reynoldsburg Additional Documentation Boundary Justification Acreage of Property Ohio Representative black and white photographs of the property. November 1993 Franklin,Ohio Phil Kiser and Pat Hummer 3.8 acres city or town R 7232 E. Main St.

Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimatedto average18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect 43068 date zip code Alexander W. Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio Parkinson, Cornelia M., Historical Tales of Old Reynoldsburg, 1980. Parkinson, Cornelia M., More Historical Tales of Old Reynoldsburg, 1985. Parkinson, Cornelia M., History of Reynoldsburg and Truro Township, Ohio, 1981. Siebert, Wilbur H., The Underground Railroad, 1968. Mergel, Robert, Instructor, Columbus State Community College, Environmental Inventory and Assessment for A. W. Livingston House and Park, March, 1993. Seeds, Madelon, Personal interview, October 1993, Previous Owner of the A. W.

Deed Book, Franklin County Court House, Vol. 2, Pg. 310. Millar, Photo of Livingston family. Livingston House. BIBLIOGRAPHY Reynoldsburg Spectator clipping, n.d., Interview with Alan Livingston. Livingston, A. W., Livingston and The Tomato, 1893, published by A. W. Livingston Map, Reynoldsburg, 1879, op. cit. National Park Service Parkinson, Cornelia M., Personal interview, October, 1993. Continuation Sheet Parkinson, Cornelia M., Alex Livingston, The Tomato Man, 1821 - 1898, April, 1985. Old Photographs - Clark Oldham, 1878 Picture Livingston House - Maebelle Weber Sons. Natlonal Register of Historic Places Natlonal Register of Historic Places Alexander W. Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio Ohio as Birthplace of the Tomato. Ohio Historical Society Library, Reynoldsburg Collection.

Page Franklin County Historical Society, October 1965, Proclamation naming Reynoldsburg, Section number Continuation Sheet United States Department of the interior National Park Service Continuation Sheet Alexander W. Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Being a part of Half Section 29, Tp.

16, Range 20, Refugee Tract and bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a railroad spike in the intersection of the center lines of Graham Road and Palmer Road,; thence along the center line of Palmer Road, south 87 degrees 51' East 272 feet to an iron pin: thence South 2 degrees 00' West (passing an iron pin at 20 feet) 584.78 feet to an iron pin; thence following the general course of a stream, South 81 degrees 31' West (passing an iron pin at 251.2 feet) 276.63 feet to a nail; thence along the center line of Graham Road, North 2 degrees 00' East 635.91 feet to the place of beginning, containing 3.811 acres, more or less. Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, and in the City of Reynoldsburg and bounded and described above. BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION garden, and immediately surrounding landscape, which has been subdivided from the original Livingston farm.

The boundaries of the nominated property include only the house, outbuildings, The nominated property is included within the following legal description: National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historic Places United States Department of the interior Page Section number . 246 Sq. Ft. Bath Room Closet Livingston House Front Room 318 Sq. Ft. Counter Fire Place Ist Floor Plan Kitchen Stalrs 54 Sq. Ft. 249 Sq. Ft. 69 Sq. Ft. Bathroom Bedroom Closet Stalrs 246 Sq. Ft. Livi ngston House 361 Sq. Ft. Bathtub Coal Room 543 Sq. Ft. Livingstor House Base ment P)an Stalrs Furnace Franklin Co.

,0H Franklin Co, Oh - BLACK CHERRY -COLORADO SPRUCE "GLAUCA' -NORWAY SPRUCE - RED MAPLE - BLACK WALNUT OSAGE -ORANGE - BOXELDER - PIN OAK ANGLOJAP YEW - COLORADO SPRUCE WINTERCREEPER EUONYMUS - COLORATUS RED CEDAR OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA WHITE SPRUCE JAPANESE BARBERRY GREEN ASH AMERICAN SYCAM Livinqstn House EASTERN WHITE PINE GRAHAM ROAD NC= Non contributing Ground Plan ENGLISH IVY - BLACK LOCUST -TULIP POPLAR WEEPING NORWAY SPRUCE WINTERCREEPER EUONYMUS 'EMERALD GAITY" National Register of Historic Places Section number Photos Page _1 Alexander W. Livingston House, Franklin County, Ohio PHOTOGRAPH DATA The following information applies to all photographs: Location of Negatives--City Auditors Office, City of Reynoldsburg, 6232 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Noncontributing outbuildings. Photo No. View Interior: detail of historic flooring. North and garden elevations & circle drive.

National Park Service West elevation. Interior: parlor entry. South (rear) facade of house. From east border of property. Date of Photographs-- November 29, 1993. Photographer-- Don Hummer. Continuation Sheet Interior: staircase. Northwest elevation. Property Name-- Alexander W. Livingston House. From south border of property. Location-- 1792 Graham Road, Reynoldsburg, Franklin County, Ohio. United Statee Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Photos Page - Alexander W. Livingston House Franklin County, Ohio Second floor bedroom. Section number Detail of door molding, second floor bedroom. Interior: staircase, from second floor downward. Interior: parlor. National Park Service First floor bedroom.

United Statee Department of the Interior Page UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 45TH DAY: NOMINATOR: STATE N LANDSCAPE: N N SLR DRAFT: N COMMENT WAIVER: N V ACCEPT ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM.

/ CRITERIA DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR X/N DATE MULTIPLE RETURN DISCIPLINE 5/16/94 6/17/94 6/30/94 PDIL: NAME: NATIONAL: REVIEWER PERIOD: OTHER: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES National Register DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: LESS THAN 5O YEARS: APPEAL: N STATE & COUNTY: OHIO, Franklin REJECT DATA PROBLEM:N DATEEntered in the REASONS FOR REVIEW: 16TH DAY: -historic -current _architectural classification _descriptive text _summary paragraph _completeness _clarity _applicable criteria _justification of areas checked _relating significance to the resource _relationship of integrity to significance _acreage -verbal boundary description -boundary justification -presentation - Phone context DESCRIPTION FUNCTION materials CLASSIFICATION Period BIBLIOGRAPHY Date SIGNIFICANCE Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Builder/Architect ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION justification of exception OTHER COMMENTS GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Signed Specific dates _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Statement of Significance one paragraph) _count _other UTMS _sketch maps -photographs FrunklinCo., OH #1 Alexander W.Livingston Franklin Co., 0H Franklin Co., OH #3 Alexander W.

Livingston Franklin Co., OH House Alekandee W. Livingston Franklin Co., OH House Alexander W. Livingstun Howse Franklin Co. , Franklin Ca, OH Alexander W. Livingston Franklin Co., OH House Alexander W. Livingston Alexander W.Livingston Franklin Co., OH House Franklin Ca OH Altxander W.Livingstor Franklin Co., House Alpkander W. Living ston 407 0211 N 4 Franklin Co., ON #13 Alpkander W. Livingston House Franklin Co., oH House Alexander W. Livingston 407 0211 N 4 Alexander W.Livingston House Franklin Co., ot #15 Alekander W.Livingstow GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REYNOLDSBURG QUADRANGLE 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES Ohio Historic Preservation Office Ohio Historical Center 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 Fax: 297-2546 Carol Shull, Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service P. O.

Box 37127 eligibility. All appropriate notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions. NEW SUBMISSION Cedar Glen Apartments Lorain Avenue Commercial V Alexander W. Livingston House Brandville School If you have questions or comments about these documents, contact this office. W. Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer SOCIETY Cuyahoga Hamilton COUNTY 614/297-2470 HISTORICAL Sincerely, Lucas enclosures Franklin Historic District (DOE request) John Church Company Building Stanley Block May 10, 1994 SINCE 1885 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find five (5) new National Register nominations and one (1) new request for determination of