Harvey Wells House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harvey Wells House
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Front of the house during renovation
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 403 E. A Street, Wellston, Ohio |
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| Built | 1883 |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000211 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 2009 |
The Harvey Wells House is a special old home in Wellston, Ohio. It was built in 1883. This house belonged to Harvey Wells, who was a very important person for Wellston. He started the city in the 1870s. His dream was to make Wellston a big, important city in the area. The house sits on A Street Hill, which is one of the highest spots in Wellston.
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Who Was Harvey Wells?
Harvey Wells was a smart businessman who started many things. He founded the city of Wellston in the 1870s. He wanted it to be the main city in that part of Jackson County. Even after a big fire in 1888, he helped rebuild the community.
However, Harvey Wells often had money problems. When he passed away in 1896, some of his furniture had to be sold. This helped pay off some of his debts. It's interesting to know that he never actually owned the house or the land it sits on.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Harvey Wells House is a two-story building. It is made mostly of wood, which is called a "frame structure." The house mixes two cool old styles of building: Victorian and Italianate.
It has a strong base made of sandstone. The outside walls are covered with weatherboarding, which helps protect the house. The roof is made of aluminum, and there are also some brick details.
Saving the House: Restoration Efforts
In the mid-2000s, the city of Wellston received the house as a gift. A local businessman named Jerry Bobst donated it. Soon after, a big project began to fix up the house. The state government even gave $100,000 to help in 2005-2006.
The first part of the fix-up was finished by late 2005. This involved basic repairs and making sure the house was stable. After that, plans were made for two more stages. These stages would focus on fixing the outside and then the inside of the house.
More work started in 2010. Experts in historic preservation led this effort. The Wellston Historical Association wanted to turn the house into a historic house museum. This means it would be a place where people could visit and learn about history.
Besides fixing old parts, new things were added too. These included an office, restrooms, a small porch, and new electrical wiring and plumbing. They also added central heating and air conditioning. The Historical Association watched over all the work. The city of Wellston still owns the house.
A Historic Landmark
In 2009, the Harvey Wells 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 house earned its spot because it was the home of Wellston's founder.
It is one of three buildings in Wellston on this important list. The other two are the Clutts House and the Morgan Mansion.
