May 2026.
I had originally sandwiched this one into the 6th Avenue Circles “dump article,” but its beautiful Shingle style architecture and my numerous photos made giving it its own article too good to pass up. There is very little information about this house online, so it’ll be a very photo- and analysis-dominated post.
The Charles & Mary Wheeler House is located at 354 West 6th Avenue in the Dennison Place neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. It is bordered by 6th Avenue to the south and Pennsylvania Avenue to the east, with houses all around.
History
Historic engraving of the house. (Columbus Metropolitan Library)
The Charles Wheeler House is an example of the Shingle style, a residential architectural style that covered exteriors in a continuous shell of wooden shingles to emphasize the house’s volume. The house’s complex massing indicates some influence from Queen Anne architecture, however. It was designed by Yost & Packard (probably by Yost alone, given his sensibility for more eclectic designs) circa 1890 for grocer Charles Wheeler. The house has been preserved well over time and has many of its original features.
c.1975 photo of the house’s exterior, largely in the same condition it is today. (Columbus Metropolitan Library)
Photos
Straight-on view of the principal facade:
It’s called “Shingle style” for a reason--they cover pretty much the entire facade.
From slightly further west:
A view of the rounded porch and its unique woodwork:
Looking up the front steps to the porch:
The porch and first floor’s usage of thick masonry versus the shingled nature of the second floor might serve to abstract the traditional nature of stone as a foundation, which wooden walls were then built on. It’s certainly a stark contrast.
Two-story bay window:
Note how the walls of the second floor flare up to meet the wider roof gable.
I love this large picture window, which has detailed art glass and classical woodwork:
Interestingly, the cornice and soffit use classical decoration such as modillions and denticulation, possibly a touch of Eclecticism. Classical details are not commonly used on Shingle style houses.
There is a wide arched opening immediately adjacent. The current owners have lined it with Christmas lights, which is ironically period-correct and adds a missing touch of Victorian kitsch.
The extreme western end:
Looking up at the east end’s gable:
The curving forms in the window opening and corbels are unusual for this era of architecture. They lend a sculptural quality to the house.
This small porch and bay window has the original doors, woodwork, and windows:
Sources:
https://gis.franklincountyohio.gov/parcelviewer/
https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/memory/id/76478
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