Watt–Groce–Fickhardt House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Watt–Groce–Fickhardt 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 | 360 E. Main St., Circleville, Ohio |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1826 |
| Architectural style | I-house |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001804 |
| Added to NRHP | August 23, 1985 |
The Watt–Groce–Fickhardt House is a special old house in Circleville, Ohio, United States. It's located on Main Street, on the east side of the city. This house is a well-known landmark and is considered a historic site. It has a long history and shows how homes were built a long time ago.
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What is the Watt–Groce–Fickhardt House?
The Watt–Groce–Fickhardt House is a historic building. It was built in 1826 and has been changed over the years. It is a great example of old American architecture. The house is named after some of its important owners.
Who Built the House?
The city of Circleville was planned in 1810. It was built on land owned by Jacob Ziegler and Samuel Watt. Later that year, Samuel Watt bought Ziegler's part of the land.
As Circleville grew quickly, Watt sold more of his land. By 1820, he owned only 148 acres (60 ha) (about 60 hectares). Samuel Watt used the money from selling land to build a new farmhouse in 1826.
How Was the House Built?
The house was built with two stories. It is made of brick and has a strong stone foundation. The roof is made of metal. When it was first finished, it was a typical hall and parlor house. This was a common style for homes back then.
How Did the House Change Over Time?
Circleville kept growing, and Samuel Watt sold most of his remaining land in 1835. After that year, he only had 5 acres (2.0 ha) (about 2 hectares) left. Watt became a very important businessman in the area.
In 1852, he added a large new part to the house. This new section was built in the style of an I-house. An I-house is a type of house that is usually two stories tall and one room deep. A smaller addition was built in 1885. This part is a frame structure. It is attached to the original part of the house.
Why is the House Important Today?
Today, the Watt–Groce–Fickhardt House is still in great condition. It is a well-preserved example of antebellum architecture. "Antebellum" means "before the war," referring to the American Civil War.
In 1985, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic site. It was listed because of its unique architecture. It was also listed because of its connection to John G. Groce. He was a later owner and an important person in the community.
