Adams-Bishop-Heath House

721 High St.

Images: (1) Adams-Bishop-Heath House; (2) Uriah Heath

This home, built ca. 1817-1818, is a good example of the Federal/Georgian architecture that was popular in the building boom following the War of 1812 during the early years in Worthington. Its five bay facade with four rooms up and four rooms down was a large home for that period.

The original owners, Demas and Susan Adams, most likely ran this property as a boarding house associated with the Kilbourn's nearby “Worthington Hotel” and for students attending the Worthington Academy. In 1830 Adams sold the property to William Bishop, a saddler, and prominent member of the Methodist Church.

When Bishop moved from this site to operate the “Bishop House” (Worthington Inn) in 1854, he sold the home to Rev. Uriah Heath, a Methodist minister. Heath led a movement to replant trees on the public square to replace those the pioneers had removed. He was also instrumental in developing Worthington’s first residential subdivision, the Morris Addition on the southeast side of the original village.

In 1952 the Corbins covered the original black walnut with new siding and added the pedimented entry. The original frame of hand-hewn beech and oak beams, pressed timber and ash floors remain today.

(Private residence)