Watson, Henry R., House

This finely crafted clapboard home is Saline's outstanding example of Eastern Stick Style architecture. Because of its near original condition and location on a major entry route into Saline, the building is an important visual reminder of the prosperous farmsteads established here during the nineteenth century. The home was built by Henry Rentchler for Dr. Henry R. Watson, presumably in 1883. According to Arthur Miller, who was born in the house and whose father, Charles, rented the farm and home around the turn of the century, this is the second home to be built on Watson's property; the earlier building no longer exists. Miller states that Watson purchased a section of land on what is now Waterworks Rd. and used lumber from the property to build his new house. A lot fitting this location was purchased by Watson in 1882. Henry Watson studied and practiced medicine with his father, Daniel, and also studied for one term at the Cincinnati Eclectic College, before setting up his own practice around 1851. Watson also raised sheep on his farm.

In virtually original condition, the two-and-one-half story frame Eastern Stick Style residence rests on part of a former farm property historically located in Lodi Township. The house sits back from the road on a less-than-one-acre lot shaded with a few mature shade trees. Based on a cross-gabled plan and resting on a raised stone foundation, the building features an overhanging side porch, corner posts, shingled 'beltcourses,' sunburst panels above windows and in the gable ends, projecting bays with cut corners and large diagonal brackets at the eaves line, and an Eastlake porch with an unsupported roof overhang wrapping around the southerly projecting bay. The interior is finished with native hardwood. Outbuildings originally associated with the building have been torn down and the estate is drastically reduced in size.