Ashland County, Ohio holds a genuinely remarkable piece of living history: tucked off County Road 658, not far from the Vermillion River, stands the last surviving apple tree personally planted by John Chapman — the real man behind the legend of Johnny Appleseed. Chapman scattered nurseries across this same stretch of Ohio frontier in the early 1800s, decades before a solid brick home at 1444 State Route 96 was built here in 1840. That home, now listed at $199,000 on 3 acres, carries nearly two centuries of its own history.
An Important Note: This Home Is Sold As a Fixer
Before anything else, buyers should know this listing is priced and positioned as a fixer. This is a genuine renovation opportunity, not a move-in-ready home, and buyers should budget accordingly and plan for a full inspection. Notably, there’s currently no cooling system in place, and heating runs through propane baseboard.
Original Details Worth Preserving
Built in 1840 with solid brick construction, this 3,056-square-foot home offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms (two full, one half) — genuinely generous proportions for a home this old. The listing specifically calls out original architectural details still intact, alongside double-pane window updates and a wood-burning fireplace. A partial, partially finished basement adds extra space to work with, and the home’s two-story layout keeps one full bathroom on the main level.
Three Level Acres in a Peaceful Country Setting
The listing highlights three level acres directly, offering a peaceful country setting without steep grading to manage. A two-car garage handles parking, and a virtual tour is available online for buyers who want a first look before scheduling an in-person visit.
The Practical Details
Water comes from a private well, and the property runs on a septic tank. Annual property taxes run $3,137, reflecting the home’s $239,640 tax-assessed value. The property is available through an unusually wide range of financing, including cash, conventional, 1031 exchange, FHA 203(k) renovation loans, and USDA financing — the FHA 203(k) option in particular is worth exploring given the home’s fixer status, since it allows renovation costs to be rolled into the mortgage.
The Numbers
| Price | $199,000 ($65/sq ft) — sold as a fixer |
| Location | 1444 State Route 96, Ashland, OH 44805 |
| Home Size | 3,056 sq ft |
| Bedrooms / Bathrooms | 4 / 3 (2 full, 1 half) |
| Lot Size | 3 acres, level |
| Year Built | 1840 |
| Water / Sewer | Private well / septic tank |
| Heating / Cooling | Propane baseboard / none |
| Construction | Solid brick |
| Financing | Cash, Conventional, 1031 Exchange, FHA 203(k), USDA |
| Annual Taxes | $3,137 |
Why Ashland
Ashland County sits in north-central Ohio, forever tied to Johnny Appleseed’s legacy through orchards he planted across the region in the early 1800s, with his last living tree still bearing fruit nearby. The county seat, Ashland, is home to Ashland University and a walkable historic downtown. For a buyer specifically prepared to take on a genuine 1840s renovation project, in a county layered with real frontier history, this brick home offers scale and character that new construction can’t replicate.
Interested in touring 1444 State Route 96 or want more details on the Ashland area? Reach out to the listing agent below in ZILLOW
