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Tappan Square
1833
Thirteen-acre square originally known as the Campus contained early college buildings. Olmsted Brothers of Boston introduced professional landscaping in 1914. Following instructions in the will of Charles Martin Hall, who admired open space and left funds to maintain it, all buildings on square razed by 1927. Clark bandstand in northeast quadrant built 1987.
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Kennedy House c. 1890
91 South Cedar
Home of H.P. Kennedy, carpenter and town councilman. The many people who have lived here include Professor Francis D. Kelsey, who formed Oberlin College’s first botany department. Under his direction the college herbarium became a national resource for botanists. In 2003 the house underwent major restoration and was returned to its original floor plan. Vernacular with elements of folk Victorian and Craftsman styles.
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Hall House 1853
64 East College
Boyhood home of Charles Martin Hall, who, working in a woodshed formerly attached to the house, discovered electrolytic process for producing aluminum. Later founder of Alcoa and philanthropist who gave generously to Oberlin and other colleges. Italianate style.
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Squire House c. 1900
82 East College
Home of Merton M. Squire, president of State Savings Bank. Later owned by Lois R. Cummings, kindergarten teacher who rented to boarders. Social activist Shirley R. Johnson and architect Douglas Johnson lived in a first-floor apartment in the 1940s. Good example of Queen Anne style, with wrap-around porch, octagonal two-story tower, and bay windows.
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Metcalf-Leonard House late 1850s
174 East College
Home of Charles Metcalf, mayor of Oberlin in the 1880s, and later of the Reverend D.L. Leonard—author of a one-volume history of Oberlin College—and his son Dr. Fred Leonard, professor of physical education at the college. Oberlin’s most unusual survivor of the Greek Revival style.
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Langston House 1856
207 East College
Home of Oberlin College graduate John Mercer Langston, Ohio’s first African-American lawyer, a prominent abolitionist, civil rights leader, minister to Haiti, and Republican Congressman from Virginia. Gable-roofed vernacular style.
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Stevens-Wood House 1862
228 East College
Home of George Stevens, an early Oberlin postmaster. H. Delos Wood bought the house in 1881, and it remained in his family for more than 90 years. Brick Italianate with low-pitched hip roof and wide, bracketed eaves; porches replaced in 1913.
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Richards House 1911
270 East College
Home of Mary and Erwin Richards, missionaries to Africa. Designed to be large enough so that Mary could rent rooms to students to supplement her income in later years. Erwin Richards died in 1929 and she took in students until 1964. Clapboard three-story house with spacious indented front porch, large three-window bay on west side, and raised sandstone foundation. Vernacular style.
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Burrell-King House 1852
315 East College
Home of Jabez Lyman Burrell, Oberlin College trustee, abolitionist, and philanthropist. Later home of Henry Churchill King, Oberlin College president from 1902 to 1927. Greek Revival style with neo-Georgian porches added by King.
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Hart House 1875
525 East College
Home of Flavius Hart, Oberlin furniture maker and businessman. One of two surviving brick Mansard homes in Oberlin.
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