08/21/2026
Thank you Heritage Ohio for showcasing the Houston House the beautiful home of the Marysville art League. Come explore what’s behind the green doors!
The Christopher Houston House on West Fifth Street in Marysville tells the story of both a prominent early businessman and a community that found a new purpose for one of its treasured historic homes.
Irish immigrant Christopher Houston arrived in Marysville in 1852 and quickly became an important figure in the growing community. He established a successful hardware, grocery, and notions store and helped shape downtown Marysville through the construction of several commercial buildings, including what is now known as the Houston Block on the Public Square.
In 1872, Houston constructed an impressive two-story Italianate home for his family. The 12-room brick residence reflected the craftsmanship and prosperity of the era, with walnut and maple parquet floors, decorative plasterwork created by Italian artisans, seven fireplaces, painted slate and wood mantles, and an art glass window illuminating the main staircase. The original property stretched from Fifth to Fourth Street and included an iron fence, carriage house and stables, washhouse, and large orchard.
Remarkably, the Houston family remained in the home for more than a century, until 1979. But the house's story didn't end when the family left. In 1982, the Marysville Art League acquired the property and gave this historic residence a new role in community life. Today, the Christopher Houston House continues to bring people together through the arts and local cultural events.
As a Legacy 250 building, the Houston House represents the layers of history found in so many Ohio places. It connects Marysville's early economic development and architectural heritage with a present-day commitment to arts, culture, and community. More than 150 years after it was built, the house remains a place where people gather, create, and contribute to the life of Marysville.
What building in your community has helped shape its story? Help us celebrate the places that make Ohio's communities unique by submitting a building to Heritage Ohio's 250 Buildings, 250 Stories initiative. www.heritageohio.org/250-buildings-250-stories
