Watchmaker’s house in Zoar receives a plaque
In the home, brick and mortar nogging is used between vertical timbers to garner more support.
Circa 1827, the Society of Separatists of what is now recognized as the Historic Village of Zoar built a house for their watchmaker and his family. It was a sturdy house, built with heavy timbers with brick and mortar nogging between them and clapboard siding on the exterior. It was a two-story house with 6-over-6-paned windows and nine rooms.
When the society disbanded in 1898, each member was given a share of the property it owned. This house at 297 Main St. in Zoar was given to John, Caroline and Josephine Ruof. After that, ownership of the home passed through family members from generation to generation until 1926 when it was sold to Frank Kappel. Over the ensuing 90 years, ownership changed 12 more times.
In 2016 Dan and Pam Smith acquired the property with the intent of restoring the house to its original glory. The Smiths spent a year repairing, refurbishing and decorating while doing their best to maintain its historical integrity.
Last Thursday members of the Heritage Home Association met in Zoar, their primary mission to present a Historic Marker to the Smiths to be displayed on the front of the home. Pam Smith was present to accept the award from Jerry Stoughton, HHA vice president of plaquing.
Stoughton said, “A Historic Marker may be awarded for a home or building that has architectural or personal historical significance such as a notable person having lived there or conducted business there. It is more likely to be a recipient when it is well-preserved or restored as close to original as possible.”
To date, HHA of Tuscarawas County — founded in 1976 — has awarded 76 Historic Markers, Heritage Home Plaques and 20th Century Plaques for deserving homes and other structures in Tuscarawas County.
The watchmaker’s house is the 10th to receive an HHA plaque in Zoar.