Ripley House

623 High St. (View from Across the Street)

This Federal style house was built after the war of 1812 to accommodate new arrivals attracted by the Worthington Manufacturing Company. It was designed with its facade facing south and its gable end, with space for commercial enterprises facing the main street. The house is a fine example of early 19th century combination store-and-residence, with the store in front and living quarters in the rear and on the second floor.

In 1823 Christopher & Julia Ripley celebrated the birfth of son Roswell S. Ripley. Ripley gave up his Worthington business in about 1827 and returned to New York with his wife and young son, Roswell. In 1839, Roswell Ripley was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy and he graduated from West Point in 1843 in the same class as U.S. Grant. He later served as a Confederate general during the Civil War after marrying Alicia Middleton Sparks, a widow from South Carolina. He commanded a battery at the bombardment of Fort Sumter and later was in charge of the defense of Charleston.

(Now used as office space)