Doan House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Doan House
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Front of the house
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 822 Fife Avenue, Wilmington, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architect | James Wilson |
| Architectural style | Federal, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001792 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1979 |
The Doan House is a really old and special house in Wilmington, Ohio, United States. It was built in the mid-1800s for a doctor. Later, a famous lawyer lived there for a long time. Because of its unique look and where it's located, it's a well-known building in the city. It's even listed as a historic site!
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History of the Doan House
The Doan House was built in 1840. It was first the home of James Wilson and his wife, Eleanor. They managed the Clinton County Infirmary, a type of care home, before moving here.
In 1869, a well-known lawyer named Azariah Doan bought the house. He was also a veteran of the American Civil War. When the Doan family lived there, they updated the house. They added many Italianate style features to its original Federal-style design.
For many years, the Doan House was easy to spot for travelers. It was the very last house on the eastern side of Wilmington. This made it a landmark for people coming into or leaving the city.
Who Was Azariah Doan?
Azariah Doan was born in Wilmington in 1824. Even as a child, he was a very hardworking student. When he was 22, he became a lawyer. For the next 15 years, he worked as a private lawyer. He also served as a deputy clerk and a prosecutor for Clinton County, Ohio.
When the American Civil War started, Azariah Doan joined the army. He became an officer in the 79th Ohio Infantry. He was a colonel during the last year of the war.
After the war, Doan came back to Wilmington. He quickly became a Republican senator for Ohio. After two years in Columbus, Ohio, he returned home. He worked as a private lawyer again. In 1875, he became a judge for the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas.
Azariah Doan was married twice and had six children with his second wife. He was also a leader in a local Friends (Quaker) group. He was a Mason and a commander for the Grand Army of the Republic, a group for Civil War veterans. He passed away in 1911.
Unique Architecture of the House
The Doan House sits on a strong stone foundation. Its walls are covered in stucco, and it has an asbestos roof. James Wilson, the first owner, designed the house in the Federal style.
Later, some changes were made. A new front porch was added in the Italianate style. A special round window, called a circular dormer, was also put on the roof. This circular dormer is now the most unique part of the house. It's the only home in Wilmington with a window like it!
This type of window is rare in other nearby cities too. For example, the Barney Kelley House in Washington Court House, Ohio also has a circular dormer. It's the only one in that city as well.
Why the Doan House is Important
In 1979, the Doan House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. The house was chosen because of its special architecture and because it was the home of Judge Azariah Doan.
The Doan House was the third building in Wilmington to be added to this list. The Rombach Place was listed on the same day. College Hall at Wilmington College was listed six years earlier.
