Historical octagon house is now an Airbnb

If touring an octagonal house is on your bucket list, Saturday is your day. Bill and Janet Frankart will have their freshly remodeled house open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to anyone who wants to take a look. The Frankarts purchased the house and grounds, at 7618 N. TR 32, Green Springs, in 2021 to keep it with the farmland they had previously purchased. In addition to the historical eight-sided house that was built in the 1850s, the property includes a garage, barn and wooded area. "The uniqueness is just kind of interesting," Bill said. "We have done some updating and renovations to the home and plan on making it available as a short-term rental on Airbnb.com. We kind of had that in the back of our mind, but our first goal was to get it bought and keep it together (with the farm)." On Saturday, he said Sue Ryman, daughter of the family who previously owned the farm, is planning to provide old photos and some of its history. Frankart said one of the stories told is that the house was used to move slaves northward on the Underground Railroad, but the information has not been verified. "It's one of the stories passed down through the generations," he said. Also Saturday, Nana's Kitchen food truck will be serving tacos and other food and WTTF will be broadcasting live. Just up the road, Beaver Creek Sawmill will be doing demonstrations and will have maple syrup for sale. The syrup was made from sap harvested locally, including from trees on the North TR 32 property. Parking for the event will be available next door at the Frankart farm, 7731 TR 32, Green Springs. Frankart said the house had been owned for more than 50 years by Eldon and Kathryn Powell, who lived in it and kept it maintained. "The former owner did a phenomenal job keeping the place up and sound and pristine," he said. After some paint, new floors and a few repairs, it was ready for use. "The idea of octagon houses was popularized by Orson Squire Fowler, an amateur architect and a proponent of octagon houses in America," according to a release about Saturday's event. "His 1848 book, 'The Octagon House: A Home for All,' was published based on his research for a design for his own home." The event information said a 1990 Timeline magazine, published by the Ohio Historical Society, reported that Fowler spent 10 years researching architectural designs and chose the octagon for its similarity to nature. "He believed that homes should be modeled after nature's spherical forms," the release said. "He said spherical homes provided more interior space per exterior wall space; allowed for superior heating, lighting, and ventilation; and were more comfortable." Comfort, as well as peace and quiet, are the Frankarts' goals. Guests can use the entire house as well as the garage recreation area, and take a walk in the five-acre woods. "We have about the whole month of June is booked already, and some in July," he said. Some of the people will be out-of-town guests for a wedding and graduations and another visitor is someone who will be working in the area. To rent an Airbnb, potential users must download an app or visit the website, sign up and answer a few questions, and then they can see a listing of potential places to stay. Airbnb is a network of places people can rent during their travels. "We provide a location and they provide everything else," Frankart aid. He said it's nice because families can use the whole house for just a little more cost than a motel room, and the house includes a kitchen for food preparation as well as three bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace and a large dining room. He said the octagonal design offers a different design than the other houses. "It's a great place to come and catch your breath," Frankart said. "Get out of the hustle and bustle."