Charles F. Kettering House facts for kids
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Charles F. Kettering House
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Seen through a row of trees
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ridgeleigh Rd., Kettering, Ohio |
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| Area | 11 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Schenck & Williams |
| Architectural style | Prairie School, Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001080 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1977 |
| Designated NHL | December 22, 1977 |
The Charles F. Kettering House is a special historic home located in Kettering, Ohio. It was built in 1914 and later rebuilt after a fire in 1995. This house was the main home of a famous inventor named Charles F. Kettering. He was the person who started Delco Electronics.
This house is built in the Tudor Revival style. It is also known as Ridgeleigh Terrace. It was the very first house in the United States to have electric air conditioning that used freon. Today, the rebuilt house belongs to Kettering Medical Center. They use it as a place for meetings and conferences. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
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What Makes the Kettering House Special?
The Charles F. Kettering House is on the west side of Kettering, Ohio. It sits on a hill, looking over the areas of Kettering College and Kettering Medical Center. It is a very large building designed in the Tudor Revival style. The original house was created by a company from Dayton called Schenck & Williams and finished in 1914.
A Fire and a New Beginning
Sadly, the original building was destroyed by a fire in 1995. But it was rebuilt! The new house looks very similar but has some changes inside. The upper floors were changed to make the building work better as a conference center. This means it can host many meetings and events now.
Who Was Charles F. Kettering?
Charles Kettering was a very successful inventor, businessman, and a kind person who gave a lot to charity. His ideas and inventions changed the world in many ways.
Kettering's Amazing Inventions
- Car Engine Ignition System: He invented a reliable way to start car engines. This made cars much easier to use for everyone.
- Fuel Additive: He discovered a special additive called tetraethyl lead. This helped car engines run more smoothly and avoid "knocking" sounds.
- Freon: He helped develop freon. This chemical was important for making air conditioning and refrigerators work. His work with freon led to the first electric air conditioning in his own home!
These inventions helped cars become very popular across the United States.
Giving Back to the Community
Charles Kettering was also known for his generosity. He helped start the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This is a very important hospital and research center that helps people with cancer.
