Orange Johnson House

956 High St.

Images: (1) 1819 Federal Wing; (2) Rear wing buillt in 1811 by Arora Buttles; (3) Sitting Room inside the museum; (4) 1811 Advertisement for the sale of the origina Pioneer home; (4) Orange Johnson

This property offers a unique view of both the pioneer and Federal periods in Worthington. It is also one of the oldest residences standing in its original site in central Ohio.

The oldest portion, a six-room house to the rear, was built in 1811 by Arora Buttles. The house stood on thirty-five acres, part of a choice farm lot next to the village. The pioneer architecture can be seen in the low-ceilinged rooms and the dogleg staircase to the second story. The kitchen has the original fireplace with a large iron crane where the pioneers did their cooking.

In 1816 Orange Johnson, a hornsmith who specialized in comb-making, bought the property for $1500. He added a stately Federal-style addition high-lighted by an elegant fanlight entry. The addition faced west toward the road that was becoming the main route [now High St.] between the new state capital and Lake Erie. Johnson accumulated wealth by investing in real estate and was superintendent for the construction of the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike.

The house is now owned by the Worthington Historical Society as an interpretative lifestyle museum with pre-1850 furnishings. It is open to the public Sundays 2-5 and to group tours by appointment.