Washington Court House in Fayette County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rawlings Brownell House
Built c. 1851
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 27, 2024
1. Rawlings Brownell House Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 39° 32.484′ N, 83° 26.474′ W. Marker is in Washington Court House, Ohio, in Fayette County. It is on Rawling Street east of North North Street (Ohio Route 41), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 318 Rawling St, Washington Court House OH 43160, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Granville T. Woods in Washington Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Colonel Charles Youngs Historic Ride to Washington / Washington Court House, Ohio (approx. 0.3 miles away); 104mm German Cannon (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Bicentennial Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); War Savings Quota (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Morris Sharp House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fayette County Court House / Washington Court House Riot of 1894
this page online
Regarding Rawlings Brownell House. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:
The house was built in 1851 for Moses Vance Rawlings. In 1850, he became a real estate developer, and purchased 55½ acres of farm land located outside of what was then the Washington Court House boundary line of State Route 41 North. His house was the first built on this land, which he later subdivided in 1858. By 1907 the Rawlings Addition was a developed residential neighborhood, and included within the city limits, contributing to the late 19th/early 20th century growth of the community.
In 1853, Rawlings built a wing on the east side of the house containing a large bedroom and maid's quarters. Adjacent to it is a small storage room and a passage leading to the basement which was reputed to have been used as a hiding place for runaway slaves.
The house is [also] significant for its association with the second owner, Charles H. Brownell, a noted poultry dealer. Rawlings' house was purchased by Brownell in 1867. Brownell was the founder of C.H. Brownell and Sons, a poultry and egg business located in Washington Court House. It was during his residencein the house that Brownell's business venture grew to become the most complete and best equipped plant in the state. The company had established branch offices in Columbus; Boston, Massachusetts; and Newark, New Jersey. Charles H. Brownell was active in the business he founded until his death in 1902.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 27, 20242. Rawlings Brownell House Marker
Also see . . . Rawlings-Brownell House (PDF). National Register nomination for the property, which was listed in 1988. (Prepared by Elizabeth Miller, Carol Witherspoon and Sandra Davies, Ohio Historical Preservation Office and Fayette County Historical Society; via National Archives) (Submitted on June 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
