Gregory House (New London, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gregory House
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Front, seen from the east
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 E. Main St., New London, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | Albert A. Powers |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003746 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1984 |
The Gregory House is a very old and important building in New London, Ohio, United States. It was built a long time ago, right after a big fire caused a lot of damage in the town. Since then, it has been a key part of the community. Today, it is recognized as a special historic site.
Contents
History of the Gregory House
Early Days of New London
The first person to build a home in what is now New London was John Corey. He arrived in 1816. Over the next few years, more families came to live there. The small town grew quickly. By 1853, it was officially recognized as a village.
The Big Fire of 1872
New London faced challenges as it grew. Two large fires slowed down its progress. The second fire happened on November 17, 1872. This fire was very destructive. It caused a lot of damage to many buildings.
Building the Gregory House
Just one year after the big fire, a local blacksmith named Charles Gregory decided to build a new hotel. This hotel became known as the Gregory House. Charles Gregory owned most of the hotel. A local lawyer named Albert Porter owned a smaller part. The Gregory House was taller than most other buildings on Main Street at the time.
Architecture and Design
What the Gregory House Looks Like
The Gregory House was built using materials found nearby. This is common for buildings from that time in Ohio. It shows a style called "commercial vernacular architecture." This means it was built in a practical way for businesses, using local traditions.
The hotel has three stories. It has a unique shape, not perfectly square. The building is made of brick. It sits on a strong stone base, called a foundation.
Special Stone Details
You can see sandstone used for some special parts of the building. Sandstone forms the top edges of walls, called coping. It is also used for the lintels, which are the strong pieces of stone above windows and doors. Small, wedge-shaped stones called keystones are also made of sandstone. These stones are often found at the top of arches.
Original Look of the Hotel
When it was first built, the Gregory House had a front with ten sections. These sections had arched windows. The top of the building had decorative brickwork, called corbelling, which made a simple cornice (a decorative molding). The first floor had large display windows, perfect for showing off goods or welcoming guests.
A Recognized Historic Site
In 1984, the Gregory House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. The Gregory House earned its spot for two main reasons:
- Its unique and important architecture.
- Its significant role in the local history of New London.
It is one of seventeen places in Huron County, Ohio that are on this important list. The Gregory House is the only one in New London.
