Founded by James Demint in 1818 and nestled between Columbus and Dayton along the National Road, Springfield has become well-known for its historical homes and affordable cost of living.
With homes ranging from the early 1800s to modern day new-builds, Springfield offers a rich history and home styles from craftsman to contemporary.
Here's our list of the 10 most notable historic homes in Greater Springfield.
1. Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House
The Westcott House was completed for the Westcott family in 1908 and is the first house in Ohio designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
In the 1940s, the interior of Wright’s Prairie School architectural design was changed from its traditional open floor plan style to a multi-unit apartment building.
Because of the changes, the house went undiscovered for many years. But through a collaboration of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and the Westcott House Foundation, the house has been restored and revitalized. It once again features the architectural style and design Wright was best known for.
Source: Westcotthouse.org
2. The Gammon House
The Gammon House is one of only three existing Ohio stops on the Underground Railroad owned by a free person of color.
Owned by Black abolitionists George and Sarah Gammon, The Gammon House was built in 1850. That year, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 imposed six months’ imprisonment and a $1,000 fine on anyone aiding a runaway slave by providing food or shelter.
A board overseeing the preservation of The Gammon House has spent almost two decades restoring the home's interior and exterior. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the house was open for tours. It is full of relics of the home’s era and information about Black leaders in Springfield’s history.
Less than a week ago, a ceremony took place outside The Gammon House to unveil the new Ohio Historical Marker earned by the site.
Source: Gammonhouseoh.org
3. Welsh Home
Welsh Home was built in 1967 in the Greenlawn Village. Local architect Philip Snyder, known for his contemporary residential designs, was hired for the mid-century modern project, and Russ Taylor was the home builder.
The home was built originally with redwood siding, along with a stone wall feature in the front. The front landscaping was designed by the previous owner who was a Master Gardener at the time.
Unique features on the inside of the home include a stand-alone copper clad and slate fireplace, built-in cabinetry, a sunken living area with vaulted beam ceilings, original marble flooring in the entry, and pocket doors.
Source: Gail Welsh, homeowner
4. The Pennsylvania House
The Pennsylvania House was built in 1839 and became a popular inn along the National Road. According to the Pennsylvania House website, the 7000 square foot Federal-style structure originally had 26 rooms and a kitchen separate from the house.
Today, the three floors of 19th century building are filled with historic furniture, paintings, clocks, portraits, china, glass, dolls, and textiles, and tours are available for both groups and individuals. The house, which now serves as a local museum, is owned and operated by the Lagonda Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the America Revolution.
The Pennsylvania House has been included on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. And in October 2006, Pennsylvania House received a National Road marker.
Source: Pennsylvaniahousemuseum.info
5. The Charles A. Gasser House
Now owned by the Copeland Family, this 1916 Craftsman style bungalow home was constructed for Charles and Caroline Gasser. It has been meticulously restored with assistance from The Turner Foundation in an effort to maintain some of the historic homes and improve home ownership in Springfield.
Owner Jordan Copeland says, “Typically, The Turner Foundation focuses more on the exteriors than the interior, but in this home, they also did some interior repairs as they split the home from a duplex back into a single residence.”
Copeland says the cedar shake roof was one of the first things that piqued his interest in the home.
“Our favorite part of the home is walking in the front door to the living room and the view of all the built-in woodwork,” Copeland says, adding that the home also features leaded glass cabinet doors and a built-in buffet.
Source: Jordan Copeland, owner; South Fountain Tour of Homes, Claudia Fett
6. Simon Kenton Inn
The Simon Kenton farm was the first white settlement in Ohio in the 1700s. The Hunt family of Princeton, NJ, moved to the property in 1823 and built the current Federal Style Home and Spring House in 1828.
Now known as the Simon Kenton Inn, the property frequently hosts weddings, reunions, parties and other major events. In 2004 the property was purchased by current owner, and in the past decade has undergone an expansion project to include a pub, restaurant, more guest rooms, a party pavilion and more.
Source: Simonkentoninn.com
7. The Woman's Town Club
The Woman's Town Club house is a mansion built in 1852. It’s the oldest contributing property in the Springfield East High Street Historical District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
The home was owned by Captain E. Buckwalter and was known as the Clementine Berry Buchwalter home after Clementine founded the Woman’s Town Club in 1922. The club provided a location for social and civic activities, and the home has provided a hospitable location for decades of club parties organized by women across the U.S.
Source: Womanstownclub.com
8. Rowley-Bosart House
The 2,652 square foot Rowley-Bosart House was built in 1884. It’s a charming, Eastlake Style two-story home with a full, unfinished attic and basement.
This historic home features original woodwork and period-specific light fixtures. It’s located along historic East High Street and is a favorite of local old-house lovers.
Sitting along Mansion Row, the house is complete with an inviting front porch, lovely landscaping and peaceful back patio, and it’s currently for sale.
Source: Carolyn Kearns Young, realtor, Sibcy-Cline
9. Jones-Kenney Zechman Funeral Home
The historic French style home was built about 1870 for the family of E.C. Middleton and was later the home of William Warder, the son of early pioneer Jeremiah Warder and brother of Benjamin Warder, who gave the Warder Library to the city.
The home features a mansard style roof and ornate woodwork.
In 1928 Joseph C. O’Brien, who had entered the funerary business in 1882, turned it into a funeral home. His Kenney nephews took over the business following his death in 1936 and it became the O’Brien-Kenney funeral home.
Today it is the Jones-Kenney-Zechman Funeral Home.
Source: No Place Like Home by George H. Berkhofer
10. The Partington Spring House
Built in the 1830, the Partington Spring House as a three-bedroom stone home “nestled” within a 6-acre piece of property that features natural landscape features, including limestone cliffs and a spring.
The house was built by James Partington who settled in the area with his family. Today the house and property are often used for weddings and other events, and the home is available for overnight stays.
Source: Partingtonspringhouse.com
Have suggestions for more interesting, unique or historic homes in Springfield, Clark County, Yellow Springs or Urbana? Email [email protected]. If there are enough, we'll work on a follow up with more homes.